Saudi King Salman has launched a total of 1,281 infrastructure development projects worth SR82 billion ($22 billion) in capital Riyadh and the surrounding towns, said a report.

This comes as part of the kingdom's ambitious programme with a focus on key sectors such as transportation and housing and the expansion of airports to help enhance the living standards of its residents, reported Arab News.

The programme includes 15 housing projects in Riyadh and its governorates, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 to increase house ownership among citizens; the establishment of the largest Islamic museum in the capital; a huge environmental project for the lakes south of the capital covering a 315,000-sq-m area; sports cities; seven medical cities; 16 educational projects; quality entertainment facilities besides the development and upgrading of the road network, stated the report.

The projects were announced by Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the governor of Riyadh region, during an official inauguration event at Qasr Al Hukm, in the presence of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other dignitaries.

These are part of a wider programme of 2,830 projects planned for Riyadh at a total cost of SR338 billion, which are expected to create tens of thousands of job opportunities for young men and women, it added.