GEMS have signed an MOU with the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) which will see them working together to ‘develop a comprehensive, leading-edge educational system for the Economic Cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’.

This deal is one of many that reflect the plans for several countries in the region to reform their education systems in preparation for post-oil economies. While many UK companies are already involved in the region, GEMS has a particular advantage in that it’s based there. After a less than successful foray into markets like the UK, GEMS seems to have refocused its efforts and this deal is an indication that their revised strategy is starting to pay off.

The first location will be King Abdullah Economic City, located about 60 miles north of Jeddah. This is the first of six multi-billion dollar Economic City projects across Saudi Arabia, each of which will have traditional residential, business, education and industrial zones.

• www.gemseducation.com
• www.sagia.gov.sa