RIYADH: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) will host an unprecedented number of events throughout the Kingdom this year, with more than 5,000 live shows, festivals and concerts planned across 56 cities.
The 2018 entertainment calendar will feature the most diverse line-up of live entertainment ever seen in Saudi Arabia, ranging from musicals and family shows to stand-up comedy and live performances from some of the biggest names in global music.
The announcement was made at a special event in Riyadh attended by Ahmed Al-Khatib, chairman of the board, and Faisal Bafarat, GEA’s CEO.
Saudi Arabia will invest $64 billion in its entertainment sector in the coming decade, an official said on Thursday, as the Kingdom pursues a program of social and economic reforms.
Al-Khatib said the money will come from both the government and the private sector.
He said that 500 companies have registered to organize entertainment events in the coming year.
The GEA is accelerating plans to provide rich and diverse entertainment options and experiences for people in all parts of Saudi Arabia to enjoy. “The authority contributes directly to the objectives of the Quality of Life program, which aims to achieve a thriving economy and a vibrant society in which citizens and residents enjoy a better quality of life,” he said.
Al-Khatib told the audience: “Our aim today is to speak of the events that will take place in the coming year.” He commended the media and its help in spreading the word: “We are an orchestra, we have done nothing, you have done everything (the media). All I can say is that we have achieved a global goal of quality that competes with London and New York.”
He revealed that the entertainment sector needs SR267 billion ($71 billion) of investment to build entertainment infrastructure in all regions of the Kingdom, and investment in infrastructure between 2017 and 2030 is expected to contribute SR18 billion per year to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, with consumer spending estimated to reach SR36 billion by 2030.
“GEA is proud to be one of the drivers of transformation in the Kingdom, through its clear purpose to build a world-class entertainment industry that will put the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the global tourism and entertainment map,” he said.
GEA was first announced in May 2016, and has grown quickly since then.
“This year will witness many exciting events that will take place all over Saudi for the whole family to enjoy,” said Al-Khatib.
“We took this risk to work with media, with all trust. We work together and we help each other. The third-largest industry in Saudi is entertainment and we want to expand it.
“For the first time in the country, a Yanni concert took place in Dharan and 10 percent of the audiences were Bahrainis; the roles have been reversed and we witnessed our side of the bridge being trafficked and not the other way around, for they came to us. I promise you we will see more of this in the future — Emirates, Kuwait, everyone,” he said.
“In the year of 2030, I promise you this will continue and we will be in the top 10 country destinations for entertainment.”
Al-Khatib said many events and theme parks are planned. “We have the likes of Gideya, the largest theme park in the world, and Six Flags, which is under construction. We will continue to improve the infrastructure to build theses theme parks. We know what we want, we have the support from our leaders.
“Today we are organized and focused that Saudis stand on their own feet.”
Bafarat said: “This year will not only provide more opportunities for people to share rich experiences with family and friends, but will also significantly contribute to the continued development of the entertainment industry in the Kingdom. 2018 marks a change in pace thanks to the sheer scale of the program we are offering. Thousands of events will be organized and regulated, providing more opportunities than ever for us to continue to enhance the quality of entertainment events in the Kingdom, as well as adhere to the highest international standards.”
Speaking to Arab News after the event the GEA CEO said.” The events are very extensive, we will not be focusing on one aspect, but will cover all aspects of entertainment that include theme parks, museums, entertainment centers, live shows, sports events, theaters, cinemas, festival and popups.”
“We have, in total more than 5,000 events, both local and international, and on every weekend, we have one big event in one of the big cities in the Kingdom,” Bafarat noted.
He added that the local events too will have some international elements, so if you have a local street festival, you will find some international and regional act into it.
In a reply on how far international shows organized last year were helpful in grooming local talents and local entertainment sector, he said, it was indeed very helpful, earlier global actors were not taking us seriously saying Saudi market is not ready for us to come and stage the show, now we have people knocking the door saying, “we want to bring the show to Saudi.”
Bafarat said: “Our aim is to have a huge impact on our economy, provide jobs, and support medium and small companies.”
He presented the 2018 entertainment line-up highlights, which include 55 headline events alongside thousands of events hosted by private organizers, municipalities and governorates that will be supported by GEA.
“Last year was a benchmark for us, this year it will be 10 times better,” he said. “This is a team effort, we thank all the sectors that have participated.
“The diversity and scale of the 2018 entertainment program will play a significant role in the continued growth of the entertainment industry in the Kingdom with a total of 224,000 new jobs, including 114,000 direct and 110,000 indirect jobs expected to be created in the sector by 2030,” Barafat said.
“Families, young people and children will be able to enjoy live music performances, theater shows, musicals, circus performances, community festivals and much more across the Kingdom,” he said.
After their speeches, an illusionist entertained the audience with magic tricks.
Speaking to Arab News, Majid Al-Hokair, who heads the Committee for Tourism, Events and Entertainment at the Riyadh Chamber, said: “These are very positive changes taking place in the Kingdom with the GEA at the helm of affair.
“Thanks to the GEA for bringing these programs home. The authority is inspired to develop, establish and organize a competitive infrastructure for entertainment in the Kingdom.”
The GEA chairman and CEO also made awards to events organized last year. The winners in different categories include “Luxury KSA” as the best event with local content, “Comic Con” as the best international event with local flavor and “iLuminate” as the best event for live entertainment.
In 2017, the GEA hosted more than 2,200 events attended by 8.2 million people.
KSA looks forward to ‘best entertainment year ever’
KSA looks forward to ‘best entertainment year ever’
Saudi Arabia, Brazil partner on space technology
- Scheme will promote the sustainable use of orbital resources and enable the use of modern technologies in space data analysis
- Forms part of the commission’s efforts to enhance international partnerships and leverage its expertise in communications, space and technology
RIYADH: The Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission has launched an initiative for a research study in space sustainability in collaboration with Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency.
It is the result of a previous agreement between the two parties.
The scheme will promote the sustainable use of orbital resources and enable the use of modern technologies in space data analysis.
It was launched on the platform of the 2024 International Forum on Non-Terrestrial Networks, where Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, governor of the commission, invited the international community to take part and support research on space sustainability for the benefit of future generations.
The scheme is part of the commission’s efforts to enhance international partnerships and leverage its expertise in communications, space and technology.
Saudi FM meets with GCC ministers ahead of Supreme Council session in Kuwait
- Israeli military campaign in Gaza, ceasefire in Lebanon is discussed during a preparatory GCC ministerial meeting
- Saudi ambassador to Kuwait attended meeting
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part on Thursday in a preparatory ministerial meeting ahead of a GCC Supreme Council session due to take place in Kuwait on Sunday.
The meeting was chaired by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Faisal discussed with his counterparts the latest developments in regional and international issues, including the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, achieving a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.
The GCC ministers also discussed the progress in implementing the decisions agreed upon during the former 44th session of the GCC Supreme Council, as well as dialogue and strategic cooperation among GCC members and international organizations.
Prince Sultan bin Saad, Saudi ambassador to Kuwait; Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, Saudi undersecretary of multilateral international affairs; Mohammed Al-Yahya, an adviser to Prince Faisal; Walid Al-Samaeel, the director-general of Prince Faisal’s office; and Anas Al-Wassidi, the director of the GCC department in the Foreign Ministry, attended the meeting.
Prince Faisal will attend on Sunday the 45th session of the GCC Supreme Council in Kuwait City. The session will include leaders and top officials from GCC countries, including Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain.
Earlier on Thursday, Prince Faisal was received at Kuwait International Airport by his Kuwaiti counterpart; Prince Sultan; and the secretary general of the GCC, Jasem Al-Budaiwi.
Alfaisal University hosts health exhibition showcasing projects by first-year students
- Event stressed importance of safety culture in healthcare
- Students addressed key issues in patient safety, quality of care, and enhancing the overall patient experience
RIYADH: Alfaisal University in Riyadh hosted the annual Health Promotion Project Exhibition on Thursday to showcase innovative projects and celebrate the work of first-year medical students.
Boasting the theme “Harmony in Healthcare: A Culture of Patient Safety,” the exhibition aimed to promote awareness and innovation in fostering safer healthcare environments.
Inspired by recommendations from the World Health Organization’s patient safety meeting, and organized by the Saudi Patient Safety Center, this year’s theme emphasized the critical importance of embedding a culture of safety within healthcare systems.
Through creative presentations, students addressed key issues in patient safety, quality of care, and enhancing the overall patient experience.
The exhibition not only highlighted the creativity and dedication of Alfaisal University’s students but also reinforced the institution’s commitment to advancing healthcare standards and promoting a culture of safety across all levels of care.
Lana Hossari, a first-year medical student participating in the exhibition, told Arab News: “This exhibition is very beneficial for us because we are raising awareness, not just from a local perspective but also a worldwide perspective.
“We are not only talking about developed countries, but developing countries and how they deal with scary situations such as power outages and how we can all work together as a community to help improve the situation.
“I believe that every student who is interested in medicine should attend this event and learn about this because it is a very important topic in today’s society and in today’s world.”
Nour Alatassi, another first-year medical student, told Arab News: “We have an incredible project at our university. This is a series about patient safety, which is a very important topic.
“Here we are talking about patient safety using AI. What happens to our patients in a power outage? There are so many topics that our colleagues are presenting for us. Coming here you get to learn so much that is new, so many new ideas and information to keep our patients safe.
“When you visit a hospital, you feel safer knowing that your doctors and your future doctors know what to do in emergency situations. This is an amazing topic to focus the brilliant minds of young students.”
The exhibition proved an engaging experience for those attending, featuring interactive and hands-on activities for active learning.
Visitors could also participate in games and simulations designed to highlight best practices in patient safety and healthcare protocols.
These activities aimed to provide valuable insights into safety measures and innovative strategies, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of how to improve patient outcomes.
Beyond the educational aspect, the event also presented a valuable networking opportunity, bringing together healthcare professionals, students, academic leaders, and community members.
This collaborative environment fostered meaningful discussions on improving patient care and safety within the healthcare sector.
Saudi Feast Food Festival celebrates culinary journey through Kingdom’s rich heritage and diverse flavors
- Festival features a lineup of activities spread across seven distinct zones
- One of the main attractions is the culinary arts heritage area
JEDDAH: The Saudi Feast Food Festival, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Culinary Arts Commission, has officially begun its fourth event at the Abadi Al-Johar Theater in Jeddah, running from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6.
The festival features a lineup of activities spread across seven distinct zones. One of the main attractions is the culinary arts heritage area, divided into 13 sections that represent different regions of Saudi Arabia. Each section highlights regional specialties, offering diverse culinary traditions from Jazan, Makkah, Al-Jouf, Qassim, Medina, Hail, Tabuk, Riyadh and Al-Baha, with more than 195 food stalls.
The highlight of the festival is the competition zone, where professional chefs face off in cooking competitions that showcase Saudi national and regional dishes, including jareesh and maqshush, the Saudi national dsh.
Chefs from all over the Kingdom will compete in daily challenges, with one or two competitions held each day throughout the festival, and with a cash prize of SR20,000 ($5,323) for the winner of each competition.
Turkan Sharawi, a judge in the competition and an expert in cuisine, patisserie and boulangerie, told Arab News: “This competition is a great opportunity to highlight our authentic Saudi food and cuisine. It’s not about creativity but about preserving traditional dishes and showcasing them to the world. When judging, I focused on techniques, how well the dishes reflected traditional recipes passed down through generations.”
Turki Badawi, an inflight chef for Saudia Airlines and first-time judge, said: “Judging has been a difficult task, as all the participants are incredibly talented. The chefs are presenting food in creative and internationally appealing ways. For my judging, I primarily focused on taste.”
Children in the kids zone can participate in hands-on workshops to learn about Saudi cuisine, art and culture — with activities such as cooking lessons, storytelling at “Grandmother’s Stories” corner, and interactive environmental awareness programs.
For those looking to enhance their culinary skills, the workshops zone offers up to 30 cooking workshops, where professional chefs teach everything from making traditional Saudi sweets to savory dishes.
Participating in the festival, Ahmad Zaki Kamel, founder of Azka Foods and azkabasket.com, said: “We are in all 13 zones. Thanks to the support of the Culinary Arts Commission, Azkabasket is participating at the festival with a large selection of products from our network of farms and producers representing all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. This is both a celebration of the vast range of organic and natural local foods and a testament that AZKA’s goal of ethical food system self-sufficiency is an achievable objective.”
Sharif Alruwaili, representing the Al-Jouf region, said: “Al-Jouf is renowned for its olive oil, olives and a variety of dates. We also offer a distinctive blend of za’atar, made with a mix of different herbs and spices. I’ve brought products from my own farm, as well as others, to showcase here at the festival. It’s been truly rewarding to interact with visitors and educate them about Al-Jouf’s renowned produce.”
Fahad Ibrahim, founder of Maamoul Um Saleh Al-Ayed, said: “I’m here from Qassim with over 45 different types of traditional Saudi biscuits, especially Maamoul made with olive oil and sugar-free options for a healthier choice. We are excited to present our products to the public.”
Fayza Alshaeri, a local chef, presented a buffet of traditional food from Al-Qassim and said: “Cooking is my passion, and being a chef is something I truly love. This buffet represents authentic food from Al-Qassim, and it’s wonderful to see people enjoying it, especially those who have never tasted these dishes before.”
Similarly, Mohammed Kassarah, a chef from Madinah, showcased a spread including traditional Kabuli rice with chicken and meat, meat sambusas, and sweets. He said: “Our meat and chicken are fresh, sourced directly from Madinah. It feels great when visitors recognize the quality and freshness of our ingredients and praise the dishes we’ve prepared.”
Riyadh fintech forum ‘a turning point’ in Swiss-Saudi partnership
RIYADH: The Switzerland Embassy in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and Fintech Saudi organized the first Saudi-Swiss Fintech Forum in Riyadh.
Swiss and Saudi experts took part in the event on Nov. 25-26 under the theme “Connecting Leaders across Borders.”
The forum provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and the rethinking of traditional financial models.
Switzerland is an established financial hub and Saudi Arabia has the largest financial services industry in the Middle East.
Swiss Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yasmine Chatila Zwahlen, said the forum marked a turning point in the development of the partnership between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.
Nezar Al-Haidar, CEO of Fintech Saudi, said the collaboration between Fintech Saudi and its Swiss counterparts creates opportunities for knowledge sharing, and paves the way for access to new markets.
The leaders are working to make Saudi Arabia a global fintech hub, and this collaboration deepens the ties between our ecosystems, he added.
Arab News met Saudi and Swiss experts at the forum, who discussed finance, market opportunities and the importance of Swiss expertise in Saudi Arabia’s fintech development.
Yazeed Al-Shamsi, co-founder and CEO of Ejari, said: “Our perception of Swiss cooperation is positive. Fintech is the sector that has received the most funding in Saudi Arabia in the last three or four years. There is still room for growth.”
Al-Shamsi said that the banking and insurance sectors contribute significantly to gross domestic product, and there are still opportunities in wealth management, investment, financing, and alternative financing.
Abdulmajeed Al-Askar, CEO of MoneyMoon, told Arab News that Saudi companies see Swiss-Saudi cooperation as a chance to bridge two diverse but complementary markets.
Switzerland has a long history of financial expertise, while Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub of entrepreneurial energy and digital adoption.
This collaboration is about building long-term partnerships that enable both sides to innovate and scale faster, Al-Askar said.
Saudi Arabia has many talented financial leaders and professionals, he added.
“By combining expertise with a forward-thinking approach, we can create an ecosystem that sets new benchmarks. Saudi Arabian leaders can design solutions tailored to the population’s needs. With new talent, we are creating an entirely new financial paradigm for the region.”
Eva Selamlar, head of the Swiss Financial Innovation Office, said that Swiss companies can contribute their expertise to help Saudi Vision 2030.
Andreas Iten, CEO of Tinety, said: “There are many opportunities in this market. The regulatory framework is favorable, so Swiss companies should look at it because there are great opportunities and a big need for digital solutions.”
The forum explored the opportunity for Switzerland and the Kingdom to advance their ambitions in the financial technology sector, in line with Vision 2030.
