The Dammam Municipality is set to complete the Al Khobar seafront project which is expected to be an important tourist attraction in the region.

The project covers an area of 2,500,000 sq m and extends 3,500 m along the seafront. It has facilities such as playgrounds, toilets, car-parks, landscaped sitting areas, lakes and restaurants.

The private sector will be allowed to invest in the project's restaurants, function halls and watersports facilities, according to Jamal bin Naser Al Milhem, project supervisor and deputy mayor of Dammam for projects and construction.

The first phase of the project is valued at SR9.5 million ($2.53 million) while the second and third phases cost SR16.6 million and SR10 million respectively. The first phase was the key phase and was executed with the support of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Eastern Province and the contribution of businessmen, Al Milhem said.

The prince recently made an inspection tour of the project and directed the setting up of a monument on the seafront to symbolise tourism development in the region. Prince Mohammed will grant financial awards to the three best designs.