King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has announced a strategic partnership with hospitality group MJS Holdings (MJS). As per the terms of the deal, MJS will support KAFD’s culinary offerings through its pipeline of hospitality talent from throughout the region.

An international restaurant operator, MJS focuses on trophy international brands operating in Saudi mainly and other parts of the world, in addition to creating brands to expand internationally. Dining destinations supported by MJS include upscale Italian restaurant Il Baretto and NYC-inspired eatery Black Tap, both scheduled to open in May. Its future launches list includes Zuma, Mr. Chow, Amazonico, AOK and Pahli hill said the statement from KAFD.

“The MJS teams’ experience in creating unique hospitality experiences is unmatched. Their passion for quality and service is central to their success and will help us deliver on our mission to provide memorable, vibrant lifestyle experiences to the region and the world. Together, we are creating dining destinations that visitors will remember and return to again and again,” remarked KAFD CEO Gautam Sashittal.

KAFD, which is owned by the Saudi wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), is a key driver of Riyadh’s economic ambitions. Set on more than three million sqm of land in the heart of Riyadh, KAFD is home to 1.6mn sqm of office space, entertainment venues and luxury residences.

An iconic business and lifestyle destination with state-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure, KAFD is an epitome of the new Saudi Arabia, remarked Milad S. Nassereddine, CEO of MJS.

He concluded, “It is an honour to partner with an entity of KAFD’s scale and ambition, and we look forward to bringing our experience and connections to the region’s brightest talent to help the prime destination’s vision come to life.”