The Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, inaugurated the 35th edition of the "Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition 2026," the Kingdom's premier real estate event, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. This inauguration underscores the continued significant developmental momentum witnessed by the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia.

A new qualitative phase in the real estate sector

In his opening remarks, Minister Al-Haqil emphasized that the Saudi real estate sector is currently experiencing a new and entirely different phase, where construction is no longer the sole criterion. Instead, quality planning, speed of execution, and clear and integrated roles among regulatory bodies, developers, and investors have become the cornerstones. He pointed out that modern regulations and legislation have become the primary enabler of this rapid growth, enhancing the attractiveness of the Saudi real estate market as a safe and sustainable investment destination.

Restatex: 35 years of keeping pace with development

The 35th edition of the exhibition reflects a long history of development in the Saudi real estate market. The exhibition has evolved beyond a mere platform for supply and demand, becoming a mirror reflecting the Kingdom's economic and social transformations. Over the past three decades, Restatex has kept pace with various changes, culminating in the current era where the objectives of Vision 2030 take center stage, with the real estate sector playing a pivotal role in diversifying non-oil revenue streams and increasing homeownership rates among citizens.

Sustainability and quality of life: pillars of the future

Al-Haqil explained that the concept of real estate development has evolved to encompass deeper dimensions closely linked to the "Quality of Life" program. The current focus is on environmentally friendly green buildings, establishing smart cities, providing parks and open spaces, and ensuring easy access to services. This transformation guarantees the construction of vibrant and sustainable residential communities, not just concrete units, which positively impacts the well-being of Saudi families.

Launch of the PropNext forum and development of the "Itmam" center

This edition witnessed a significant event: the launch of the inaugural "PropNext" forum, a specialized dialogue platform aimed at discussing the future of real estate legislation, showcasing innovative financing tools, and exploring ways to enhance investment attractiveness. In the context of digital transformation, the Minister highlighted the qualitative leap in the "Itmam" Developers Services Center, which now offers 38 integrated digital services, contributing to streamlining procedures and significantly increasing business efficiency.

Economic impact and leadership support

The minister concluded his remarks by acknowledging the unwavering support the sector receives from the wise leadership, emphasizing that this phase represents a golden opportunity to foster innovation and empower national talent. This momentum is expected to contribute to boosting the GDP and creating new job opportunities for Saudi youth across various fields of development, construction, and finance. The exhibition continues to welcome visitors from February 11th to 14th, 2026, showcasing architectural models that meet future aspirations.

In a historic move reflecting the rapid development of military industries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, SAMI Ground Systems, a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI), unveiled its new strategic project: the HEET wheeled armored vehicles. This announcement, made during the third edition of the World Defence Exhibition 2026, represents a significant leap forward in the localization of defense industries, as the project was developed with 100% Saudi intellectual property, design, and production.

A qualitative leap towards achieving Vision 2030

The HEET project is not merely a new military product; it is a tangible embodiment of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, which aim to localize more than 50% of government military spending. This project enhances the Kingdom's strategic decision-making independence and reduces reliance on foreign imports in the land-based armament sector. This step is of paramount importance in light of global geopolitical challenges, as possessing local manufacturing technologies provides significant flexibility in meeting the needs of the Saudi Armed Forces quickly and efficiently.

Advanced technical specifications and combat capabilities

The HEET armored vehicles feature a unique engineering design that combines rigidity and flexibility. The family of vehicles includes multiple drive variants (4x4, 6x6, and 8x8). These vehicles are designed to operate efficiently in diverse terrains, from harsh desert environments to rough and paved areas. Key technical features of the armored vehicle include:

• Armor systems: Provide advanced ballistic protection for crew and equipment.
• Operational flexibility: The ability to operate as manned or unmanned platforms.
• Armament: It supports the integration of the 12.7 mm "Vision" combat turret system, in addition to the possibility of integrating a 105 mm turret to provide direct and powerful fire support.

A smart industrial complex built to the standards of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

These armored vehicles will be produced at the company's complex, which is considered the largest integrated industrial complex of its kind in the region. The complex spans 82,000 square meters within a vast industrial area of ​​one million square meters. What distinguishes this industrial complex is its complete reliance on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, employing artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and industrial robotics to ensure the highest standards of quality and precision in production.

Economic and strategic impact

Engineer Mohammed Al-Hudaib, CEO of SAMI, affirmed that this project represents a fundamental pillar in building a solid national manufacturing base. The project is expected to contribute to:

• Providing more than 1000 quality jobs for Saudi talent.
• Reaching a production capacity of up to 1500 military vehicles per year.
• Strengthening border protection, reconnaissance, and rapid response capabilities of ground forces.

In doing so, the Kingdom places itself among the countries that manufacture advanced defense systems, confirming the Saudi engineer’s ability to innovate, produce and compete globally.