Saudi culture body launches Saudi Trades and Crafts Company

Bari is a flagship program of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), promoting handicrafts in the Kingdom by supporting local artisans. (SPA)
Updated 08 June 2018
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Saudi culture body launches Saudi Trades and Crafts Company

  • The company will support local artisans and craftsmen
  • The SCTH is also seeking through the company to regulate the sector of trades and crafts

JEDDAH: As tourism becomes a major driver of the economy, Saudi Arabia has launched several major initiatives to stimulate the travel and tourism industry. One of these initiatives is the Saudi Trades and Crafts Co.

Faysal Al-Khamees, general superintendent of the National Handicraft Development Program (Bari), said: “The National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020 will allocate SR208 million to support the company’s goals, namely preserving the heritage of trades and crafts, hone the skills of craftsmen, and expand the handcrafts market.”

“The company will support local artisans and craftsmen and equip them with the tools, raw materials and designs, in addition to training programs, quality control and marketing of their products.” 

Al-Khamees said that SCTH is also seeking through the company to regulate the sector of trades and crafts so as to put an end to random marketing and reduce the difficulties facing the industry and encouraging them to develop their skills and expand investment in this area.


Saudi Arabia celebrates Flag Day with displays, special events

Updated 54 min 26 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia celebrates Flag Day with displays, special events

  • Nation goes green in show of unity, belonging
  • Current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937

RIYADH: A new art exhibition has opened at King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, as the country celebrates Flag Day, which fell on Wednesday.

The event, titled “In Love with Green,” is being held in collaboration with the Saudi Art Association and features 20 fine art paintings inspired by the Saudi flag, as well as other cultural and contemporary images and landmarks.

The current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937. It features the Shahada and a sword symbolizing justice and safety, representing the unification of the Kingdom during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

The exhibition, at the library’s services branch and reading halls on Khurais Road, was opened by the library’s Director General Bandar Al-Mubarak and the association’s board chair Hanaa Al-Shibly.

Visitors can attend from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Elsewhere in the country, public spaces and buildings have become a sea of green for Flag Day.

In Al-Baha, government buildings, squares and main roads were decorated with green lighting and national flags were hoisted in public squares.

It was a similar picture in Makkah, where people celebrated the annual show of pride and belonging against a green backdrop.

In Tabuk, authorities installed more than 7,000 flags along roads, squares and bridges, while the region’s landmarks and tunnels were illuminated with green and white lights.

More than 10,000 Saudi flags were also hoisted in Jazan, where Souk Al-Awalin in Jazan City is set to host a range of events and performances to mark the special occasion.