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Emirati MAF to Enter Saudi Cinema Market

Emirati MAF to Enter Saudi Cinema Market
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Emirati MAF to Enter Saudi Cinema Market

Emirati MAF to Enter Saudi Cinema Market

Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, stated that MAF is willing to play a role in the Saudi cinema market, following the kingdom’s permission of establishing cinemas in the country. MAF CEO noted that VOX Cinemas have 300 screens out of 600/ 700 screens placed in Gulf countries.

Opening cinemas in Saudi Arabia would have a huge impact on the economic and cultural sectors, said Ismael. He added: “The decision to start up a cinema in Saudi Arabia is a historic moment that was anticipated by investors, given that entertainment is a basic component of the Saudi Vision 2030 announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman."

“Saudi Arabia enjoys the biggest market in the Gulf, with a population of 30 million,” he continued.

MAF CEO said there is a huge Saudi turnover on entertainment, which is indicated by the number of users of YouTube and digital entertainment. “This is also shown through the malls of Bahrain, UAE and Oman. Many Saudi families and youths are looking for new entertainment aspects, something that would positively affect the economy and add to the cultural life,” he added.

Ismael hopes that MAF wins the first cinema-operating license in Saudi Arabia, affirming that MAF exists in the market for more than ten years, and has more than 4,000 employees in the fashion and retail sectors. “We are currently planning to inaugurate the biggest entertainment center. We have an investment program that exceeds SAR14 billion (USD3.7 billion) and is to be implemented over a short period of time, which would create direct and indirect opportunities,” revealed Ismael.

Speaking about challenges facing the cinema sector such as Netflix, he said that the competition in the meantime is not over the market share but over getting the consumer’s time.

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Saudi Arabia to Host Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia to Host Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), will host the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF) in October, underscoring the Kingdom's significant industrial transformation, in line with Vision 2030, and aiming to expand the Saudi industrial base and solidify its position as a leading global industrial center.
Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in Riyadh, the forum is yet another substantial industrial development initiative the Kingdom relentlessly takes.
By carrying out programs focused on innovation, diversification, and boosting of the industrial sectors, including 12 strategic sectors identified in the National Industrial Strategy, Saudi Arabia seeks to raise competitiveness and support its national economy.
Beyond the National Industrial Strategy, the Kingdom has invested in developing industrial infrastructure, such as industrial cities and special economic zones, and fostered international cooperation to facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology. The forum, in which global experts and decision makers participate, is an ideal platform to exchange expertise and set best practices in industrial policies.
Saudi Arabia aims to develop policies that are in line with international standards, thus increasing the global competitiveness of its industrial sector. By leading initiatives for sustainable industrial practices, promoting international cooperation, exchanging expertise, and adopting environmentally friendly technologies, the Kingdom seeks to enhance the flexibility of its supply chains, in line with the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.
The industrial sector in Saudi Arabia witnessed significant developments in 2023, including announcing major investment opportunities in targeted sectors, issuing a license for the first Saudi-made electric car brand "Ceer", and opening the first electric vehicle manufacturing factory "Lucid". The Kingdom aims to produce over 300,000 cars annually by 2030.
Attracting private sector investments is crucial to achieving the goals of the National Industrial Strategy. The industrial sector focuses on enhancing integration among various sectors and their supply chains, developing infrastructure, encouraging joint investments, promoting local content, and empowering national companies through policies, financing, and training.
In July 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources launched the Future Factories Program, which aims to transform 4,000 factories from labor-intensive models to efficient, automated operations utilizing advanced industrial solutions. This initiative seeks to enhance competitiveness, improve product quality, and increase exports of Saudi non-oil products.
The ministry has also made strides in improving the regulatory and legislative environment for the industrial sector, creating an environment conducive to investments and fair competition.
The ministry's goals for 2024 and 2025 include attracting investments in targeted industrial sectors, reaching a total investment volume of SAR451 billion, adding 1,500 products to the mandatory local content list, increasing the industrial sector's contribution to non-oil GDP to SAR412 billion, and boosting non-oil exports to over SAR300 billion. Moreover, the ministry aims to launch the industrial sector governance initiative to stimulate integration and concerted efforts among relevant stakeholders.
The second edition of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum, hosted by Riyadh under the theme "Transforming Challenges into Sustainable Solutions through Industrial Policies", will bring together some 3,000 industry leaders from around the world, including decision makers, CEOs, industry specialists, and people interested in developing industrial policies.