The CEO of KAFD, Riyadh's financial district, Gautam Sashittal, joins The 966 to talk about the Kingdom's original giga-project and the city of the future

The 966

Gautam Sashittal, the CEO of Riyadh's financial district that has redefined Riyadh’s skyline and is the city’s most sought-after business address and lifestyle destination, joins The 966 podcast. The district is home to many of Saudi Arabia’s largest companies and regional headquarters of international corporations doing business in the region, as well as the Kingdom’s finest restaurants and real estate. KAFD is now owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF whose headquarters, the PIF tower, is now located in the Financial District. Gautam took over as CEO of KAFD in January 2021, before that, he was CEO and COO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre DMCC Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Which was eight times crowned ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’. Before the discussion, the hosts discuss the upcoming Saudi National Day, the Crown Prince's interview with Fox, and much more...

2:35 - Richard's One Big Thing is the upcoming celebration of Saudi Arabia's National Day, a Kingdom-wide holiday celebrating Saudi Arabia's rich history and unique culture - as well as its national identity.

7:53 - Lucien's One Big Thing is HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's interview with Fox News and reacting to some themes and takeaways from the momentous conversation - his first in English with an American news channel. The interview was billed in advance by a media release as “no holds barred." The Crown Prince discussed Vision 2030, the economy, foreign policy, Iran, Israel, the United States, oil, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, legal reforms in Saudi Arabia and much more. Lucien notes that we don’t get a lot of these interviews and this is the first ever of its kind, so as such, it was fascinating to get the rare insight into the Crown Prince's thinking and vision.

22:28 - Gautam Sashittal, the CEO of #Riyadh's financial district that has redefined Riyadh’s skyline and is the city’s most sought-after business address and lifestyle destination, joins The 966 podcast. The district is home to many of Saudi Arabia’s largest companies and regional headquarters of international corporations doing business in the region, as well as the Kingdom’s finest restaurants and real estate.
KAFD is now owned by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund (PIF) whose headquarters, the PIF tower, is now located in the Financial District.
Gautam took over as CEO of KAFD in January 2021, before that, he was CEO and COO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre DMCC Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Which was eight times crowned ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’.

55:47 - Yallah! 6 top storylines on Saudi Arabia this week to get you up to speed this week.

•As part of the inaugural Cityscape Global meeting recently held in Riyadh, promoters of NEOM were on hand to present plans for the TROJENA and OXAGON segments of their $500 billion NEOM megaproject.

•Saudi Arabia welcomed positive results from discussions to reach a road map supporting the peace process in Yemen, the kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, after Houthi negotiators' talks with the Saudis in Riyadh.

•Saudi Arabia officially unveiled "The Garage," its latest addition to the thriving startup ecosystem on Monday. Situated within the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh, The Garage spans an impressive 28,000 square meters, earning the title of the largest innovation district in the Middle East.

•Saudi nationals employed in the private sector have witnessed a substantial 45% increment in their salaries over the past five years, as per the data released by the Kingdom’s National Labor Observatory.

•Founded in 1955 as the European Cup, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) represents the pinnacle of European club soccer, with the best teams from across the continent all striving to lift the famous trophy.

•Red Sea Global has teamed up with British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls to bring his adventure and survival brand to Saudi Arabia.