Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, the Eastern Province Municipality has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC) - the company responsible for developing THE RIG. - at the Emirate's premises, signaling a new era of collaboration and progress in the region.

Under the careful oversight of His Royal Highness, and in the presence of Husameddin AlMadani, Managing Director of OPDC, the esteemed Mayor of the Eastern Province, His Excellency Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Jubeir and Eng. Raed Bakhrji, CEO of OPDC signed the MOU aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two entities. The agreement focuses on several areas of collaboration, including exchanging information and studies to enhance THE RIG.’s visitor experience and increase the Eastern Province’s attractiveness to tourists

His Royal Highness emphasized the transformative potential of THE RIG., noting: "THE RIG. will be a catalyst for the growth across essential sectors, including tourism, transportation, and commerce, which will in turn enhance the quality of life for residents and strengthen the Eastern Province’s economy."

Raed Bakhrji, the CEO of OPDC, emphasized the importance of the Eastern Province Municipality's support for THE RIG., saying: “Our collaboration with the Eastern Province Municipality will contribute to achieving strategic and operational integration that will enhance the quality and distinction of our project." He added: "THE RIG. draws its inspiration from Vision 2030 and its initiatives to develop the tourism sector, and it is expected to be one of the leading adventure tourism destinations aiming to attract more than 900,000 visitors annually by 2032. Signing the MOU with the Eastern Province Municipality is a crucial step in achieving the project's goals, which will in turn contribute to enhancing the activities of local businesses and creating job opportunities in the region.

Husameddin AlMadani, Managing Director of OPDC, highlighted the project's significance in contributing to the tourism sector, while celebrating the Kingdom's rich heritage in the oil and gas industry, stating: "THE RIG. is the world’s first tourism destination on an offshore platform inspired by the design of offshore oil platforms. The development of this project aligns with the goals of Vision 2030, aiming to elevate the Kingdom's international standing in the tourism industry."