Saudi’s Dar Global announces Maldives project with Trump Organization

RIYADH: Saudi developer Dar Global has announced a new partnership with the Trump Organization to develop a luxury project in the Maldives, ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington.

The project will feature a luxury hotel under the Trump International brand, with investors able to participate through digital tokens, Dar Global, listed on the London Stock Exchange, said in a statement.

Dar Global and the Trump Organization already collaborate on multiple projects in Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In September, they signed a deal for a $1 billion “mixed-use community” in Jeddah.

Saudi crown prince departs for US

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed for the United States on Monday, the state news agency reported, in a trip expected to focus on security guarantees and advanced weaponry.

This marks the crown prince’s first visit to Washington since the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents, an incident that sparked global outrage and strained ties with the kingdom’s long-time ally.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, “This official working visit will include a meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields, as well as to address issues of mutual interest.”

Prince Mohammed has maintained close ties with Trump and his family, a relationship reinforced by a lavish welcome and $600 billion in investment pledges during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May.

Ahead of the trip, Trump highlighted his efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and strengthen ties with Israel—a key goal of his administration. Experts say, however, that the kingdom is unlikely to normalize relations with Israel at this stage, with the crown prince prioritizing stronger US security guarantees following Israeli strikes on Qatar in September, which unsettled the Gulf region.

The 40-year-old heir to the throne is scheduled to meet Trump on Tuesday, according to a government source. During the prince’s three-day visit, a US-Saudi investment forum focusing on energy and artificial intelligence will also take place in Washington.