Overview
- French authorities signed a framework agreement with Saudi representatives during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit, which officials say outlines roughly €6 billion for three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise.
- Reports from Bloomberg and others say a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is expected to provide the investment over several years, but final contracts and financing timetables have not been completed.
- At least one park is to be inspired by the Dragon Ball manga and the overall complex is described by officials as similar in scale to Disneyland Paris and aimed at creating about 22,000 jobs.
- The project remains at a preparatory stage with local planning approvals, environmental review, intellectual-property licensing and construction schedules still unresolved, any of which could delay or reshape the plan.
- The deal marks a further warming of France–Saudi ties and fits Saudi efforts to diversify its economy through the Public Investment Fund, while journalist groups and rights organizations have raised objections over Saudi human-rights records.