RIYADH – After repealing a decades-long ban on cinemas only last year,Saudi Arabia has now launched an ambitious drive to become a culture andentertainment hub as part of sweeping modernisation plans.
American film star Katie Holmes and British actor-cum-director Idris Elbarubbed shoulders with Saudi officials, as the conservative kingdom onThursday night kicked off an initiative to invest 130 billion riyals ($34.7billion, 29 billion euros) in culture and leisure by 2020.
The goal is to create “a true cultural industry, with theatres, cinemas andtraining centres,” said Ahmad al-Mazid, who leads culture policy for SaudiArabia.
Key projects include 16 entertainment complexes, an aquatic centre andthree other huge leisure hubs — all part of a bid to ensure three Saudicities make it into the global top 100 for quality of life.
The project, dubbed “Quality of Life Program 2020,” is in part designed toencourage wealthy young citizens to spend more of their leisure time in thekingdom, where more than half the population is below the age of 25.
“It will contribute to the satisfaction of Saudis and incentivise them toinvest in their country and to stay,” said Ahmad Khatib, head of theoil-rich state s entertainment policy.
The government will pump 50.9 billion riyals into this cultural revolution,while courting private investors and foreign partners for the rest of theinvestment.
“Saudi Arabia gave me an opportunity to make my film here, it made sense onan economical model,” British actor Elba, who made his name as a gangsterin the gritty American police series The Wire, told AFP at the event.
“I would definitely be here — why not?” added the Londoner, who has inmore recent years turned his hand to directing and has a Twitter followingof more than 2.5 million.
The investment programme feeds into a drive by powerful Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman to modernise his homeland, both in terms ofliberalising Saudi society and reducing the economy s overwhelmingdependence on oil.
The initiative aims to create 300,000 new jobs and represents a key pillarof the nation s “Vision 2030” reforms. – APP/AFP