Riyadh, May 5 (TNS): After the conservative kingdom ended a ban of long decades on cinemas in 2017, Saudi Ahasa has now launched an ambitious bid to become a culture hub to keep themselves up with modernization society.
Hollywood star Katie Holmes and British director Idris Elba met the Saudi officials on Thursday, after an initiative was taken to invest $34.7 billion in culture and entertainment sectors by the two years’ time.
Ahmad Al Mazid who monitors culture policy for Saudi Arabia said, “The goal is to create a cultural industry, which includes theatres, cinemas and acting schools.
The project of the modernization plan includes 16 entertainment complexes, aquatic centres and three entertainment hubs.
The idea is to make three Saudi cities into the top global cities which enjoy quality life in the kingdom.
This is the main reason the project is named as “Quality of Life Program 2020”, which seeks to encourage the youth of the kingdom to spend their leisure time in the country, which boasts 50% of the population under 25 years of age.
Head of the oil-rich state entertainment policy, Ahmad Khatib said, “It will contribute to the satisfaction of Saudis and give them incentives them to invest in their country and to stay”
The government will put 50.9 billion riyals into this Cultural Revolution.
“Saudi Arabia gave me an opportunity to make my film here, it made sense on an economical model,” British actor Elbasaid on the occasion.
“I would definitely be here, why not?” added the London born actor, who has in more recent years turned his hand to directing.
This investment programme is being fed by Prince Mohammad Bin Salman who has instilled the drive to modernise his homeland, he intends to liberalize the Saudi Society and come out of its conservative norms.
To eradicate the overdependence of Saudia’ economy on oil is also in his sights through this program.
The initiative, represents a key pillar of the nation’s reforms and aims to create 300,000 new jobs
