Qatar is building a 20 billion riyal ($5.5 billion) entertainment district, dubbed the Simaisma Project, with a major theme park, resorts, and retail and dining.

The Simaisma Project is led by the country’s Ministry of Municipality and developed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, a unit of the Qatar‘s sovereign wealth fund.

Billed as a new cultural landmark, the project will cover more than 8 million square metres along 7 kilometres of beachfront land.

Qatar’s municipality minister Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah said: “We are steadily advancing towards realising Qatar’s national vision 2030, building a more prosperous and stable future for coming generations across the economic, social and environmental domains.

New cultural landmark in the Middle East

“We are thrilled to contribute to the growth of the tourism and entertainment sector by spearheading innovative projects that meet the rising demand in this crucial industry.”

Qatari Diar CEO Ali bin Mohammed Al Ali said: “We have meticulously planned this project under the guidance of the Ministry of Municipality and in alignment with Qatar’s trajectory of continuous growth.

“This project is poised to establish new benchmarks for tourism in the region and write a new, remarkable chapter in Qatar’s success story.”

Via a press release from the government of Qatar, the project offers investment opportunities for the private sector, with more than 16 plots available for development.

16 plots available for development

These include luxury resorts, a theme park, an 18-hole golf course, residential villas, a yacht club and marina, and restaurants and shops.

Qatari Diar is in talks with several international park operators to manage the theme park, Gulf News reports. At 650,000 square metres, the park would be bigger than Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

The project will be built and operated using sustainable methods, cutting-edge smart systems and innovative technologies, the news release said.

The Simaisma Project is part of Qatar’s plans to diversify the economy, enhance the private sector and attract foreign investment.

Lead image credit: Simaisma Project