Riyadh, June 25:

The Saudi Organization for Industrial Estates and Technology Zones (SOIETZ) will build an industrial zone inside a prison, south of Riyadh, an official said on Tuesday.

Tawfiq al-Rabiah, head of SOIETZ, said the one-million-square-metre zone is expected to

attract investments that would exceed two billion Saudi Riyal ($534 million).

He described the project as the first of its kind in the world, adding that it will help in the rehabilitation of prisoners besides providing between 3,000 and 5,000 job opportunities.

Al-Rabiah said SOIETZ will start building the infrastructure of the venture by the end of

this year.

King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who succeeded his half brother, the late

King Fahd, in 2005, is seen as a cautious reformer who has taken steps to lure investors to the Kingdom.