RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund seeks to develop the cultural sector by forging partnerships with relevant bodies and nonprofit organizations, said Badr bin Hussein Al-Zahrani.
The CEO of the Cultural Development Fund said efforts are underway to promote the local art and culture scene to boost its contribution to the gross domestic product by approximately SR4.6 billion annually.
Al-Zahrani said the fund will raise social welfare indices related to the Quality of Life program.
The Kingdom has taken several measures to boost local art and culture and make the sector an important part of its economy.
Last year, more than 80 cultural occupations were approved for inclusion in the first stage such as theater producer, film director, lighting designer, documents and manuscripts restoration specialist, exhibitions designer, textile designer, curator and other basic cultural occupations in which Saudi creatives are active.
The occupations include all cultural sectors: Heritage, language, books and publications, libraries, fashion, theater and performing arts, culinary arts, movies, museums, visual arts, festivals and cultural events, and architecture and design arts, as well as occupations in the educational development of
the cultural sector and multimedia design.
Steps underway to boost Saudi art, culture contribution to GDP
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Steps underway to boost Saudi art, culture contribution to GDP
- Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to boost local art and culture and make the sector an important part of its economy
Madinah governor launches project highlighting Prophet’s Hijrah legacy
MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan inaugurated the Ala Khutah (In His Footsteps) project, which allows visitors to trace the Hijrah (Prophet Muhammad’s migration) route within an organized framework.
The project highlights the historical significance of the event, promotes awareness of the Prophet’s biography, and supports sustainable cultural and economic development along the route, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Prince Salman emphasized that the project reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in serving the holy sites and enhancing the experience of visitors and pilgrims.
He noted that it integrates faith, knowledge, and development, showcasing Islam’s values of justice, mercy, tolerance, and coexistence, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as the heart of the Islamic world.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, said that the project’s first phase aims to welcome 1 million visitors, targeting 5 million by 2030, with potential expansion to 10 million.
The project aligns with Vision 2030, strengthening the care of historical sites and enriching visitors’ cultural and spiritual experiences in Madinah and beyond.
