In January 2026, at the invitation of an old friend, I spent several days in Riyadh and Jeddah: meetings with business people and public figures, and many conversations about Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
In Jeddah I attended the closed presentation of the DARCO Prime Waterfront development at the Jeddah Yacht Club. I sat at the main table of the evening, next to the guest of honour.
What struck me was the level of the presentation. A landmark venue on the water, a drone show over the marina, light installations, a show programme, international guests. Investors were not shown a brochure; they were shown a city they could already imagine living in. Around the tables people talked about the large international branded developments coming to Jeddah.
It was also clear that this is an absolute monarchy: protocol, seating and the rhythm of the evening were built around the guest of honour. Understanding that order is part of doing business here.
With Saudi companies I spoke about what Kazakhstan and Central Asia are looking for: residential districts and townships, infrastructure and energy. The lesson for us is simple: a good project deserves a presentation of the same standard.
Drone show, Jeddah Yacht Club