Saudi Arabia Kicks Off Largest Entertainment Events

Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Kicks Off Largest Entertainment Events

Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh witnessed on Tuesday the launch of its largest entertainment gathering with the opening of two highly anticipated events - the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo, and the Saudi Light and Sound (SLS) Expo.

Over three exciting days, attendees will experience interactive displays, cutting-edge technology, and insights into the future of entertainment. The expos feature local and international experts, government officials, and industry specialists.

Mohannad Al-Abbad, Deputy CEO of Investment and Business Development at the General Entertainment Authority, inaugurated the exhibitions, followed by tours for VIP guests.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Majed Aleid, Director of the Entertainment Sector at the Ministry of Investment, noted the Kingdom’s significant progress in the entertainment sector, highlighting its role in boosting quality of life.

The events offer valuable insights and experiences, aiming to enhance cooperation, innovation, and communication among investors, creators, and industry experts globally. They bring fresh ideas and projects to enrich the entertainment scene, he added.

Sarkis Kahwajian from DMG Events, which is organizing this year’s edition of the expos, stressed that this year’s agenda is the most diverse yet, showcasing the latest products and developments in Saudi entertainment.

Saudi Invest, part of the Ministry of Investment, will sign an agreement with Nowaar Entertainment on experiential events and content development.

Dallah Al-Baraka, a multinational company, will partner with Europa-Park, a renowned German amusement park, to offer consulting services, training programs, and equipment sales to support the sector’s growth aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Over the next three days, the SEA Expo will showcase new products from various companies.

Speakers from top industry players like Six Flags Qiddiya, SEVEN, Cruise Saudi, and government bodies will discuss topics including the future of Saudi entertainment, local-global brand connections, food and beverages, amusement parks, sustainability, and workforce retention.

At the SLS Expo, visitors can explore lighting, sound, live events, theater tech, and augmented reality.



Saudi Arabia Achieves 66% Grape Self-Sufficiency

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Achieves 66% Grape Self-Sufficiency

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA
The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops. - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture reported that Saudi Arabia's grape production surpassed 122,000 tons in 2023, reflecting the robust growth of the local agricultural sector and its ability to meet significant market demands.

This production has contributed to a 66% self-sufficiency rate, strengthening national food security and reducing reliance on imports, according to SPA.
The Kingdom's grape industry comprises over 7.1 million grape trees, with more than 6.1 million bearing fruit, underscoring the sector's productive capacity. The diversity and quality of local grape varieties have made them highly competitive in domestic markets.
This variety also supports processing industries, enabling the production of natural juices, jams, raisins, and other food products, thereby enhancing the agricultural sector’s economic value in line with Vision 2030 goals.
The ministry continues to support farmers by providing access to modern technologies such as smart irrigation and organic farming practices to improve productivity, quality, and water resource efficiency.

The growth in grape production is a result of initiatives aimed at developing agricultural production chains and stimulating investment in competitive crops.