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Saudi Arabia Launches First Public Cinema in Riyadh

An artist's rendering of AMC's first movie theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
An artist's rendering of AMC's first movie theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi Arabia Launches First Public Cinema in Riyadh

An artist's rendering of AMC's first movie theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
An artist's rendering of AMC's first movie theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched on Wednesday its first public cinema at a newly set up cinema complex at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh.

The historic launch was overseen by the Development and Investment Entertainment Company (DIEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), in collaboration with AMC Entertainment, the largest movie exhibition company in the US, in Europe and throughout the world.

DIEC and AMC Entertainment commemorated the historic moment with a gala event hosting prominent local and international guests. Following the formal ribbon cutting ceremony, guests filed into the cinema to watch the Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther, the first showing of its kind in the Kingdom in decades.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reform program under Vision 2030, spearheaded by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Ministry of Culture and Information announced a landmark decision in December to allow commercial cinemas to operate in the Kingdom from early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years.

Dr. Awwad Alawwad, Minister of Culture and Information, said: “The return of cinema to Saudi Arabia marks an important moment in the Kingdom’s modern day history and cultural life, as well as in the development of the Kingdom’s entertainment industry.”

He added: “Today, we mark a major step in fulfilling our commitment to improving the lives of all in the Kingdom, a key pillar of Vision 2030. Cinema has always played an important role in bringing cultures together and Saudi Arabia is ready to play its part. Through clear and transparent regulatory frameworks, we will ensure that both international and Saudi filmmakers have an opportunity to showcase their work across our country.”

According to the latest plans, Saudi Arabia will open about 350 cinemas and 2,500 screens by 2030, generating approximately $1billion in box office spend each year and transforming the Kingdom into the 11th largest market in the world. This is expected to create a substantial number of new jobs in the Kingdom, around 30,000 permanent jobs and around 130,000 temporary jobs by 2030.

The industry is regulated by the Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), who are working closely with film distributors and cinema operators. A framework for classifying and approving films for distribution is in place, and as well as Black Panther, there are a number of upcoming blockbusters that are currently in the process of being classified. Under the guidelines set-out by GCAM there will be dedicated screenings for all segments of society.

Abdullah Al Dawood, Chairman of DIEC, said: “DIEC is very proud to launch the first public cinema in Saudi Arabia in partnership with AMC and do so in such an iconic location.”

DIEC is Saudi Arabia’s new national entertainment champion purposely-designed to support dynamic growth of the entertainment sector and improve the quality of life of the Kingdom’s citizens and residents, a key pillar under Vision 2030.

Mr. Dawood added: “The entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia holds incredible promise and we are firmly committed to seeing the exciting world of international, regional and Saudi filmmaking featured in cinemas in every major city in the Kingdom, as set out in Vision 2030.”

KAFD, which is hosting the first AMC Cinemas complex, is Saudi Arabia’s Central Business District which will provide modern, integrated and mixed-use areas, comprising high quality office, residential and hospitality space.

Adam Aron, CEO of AMC Entertainment, said: “At AMC we have around 1,000 theatres and 11,000 screens across the globe – but none of them have caught the world’s imagination like this one. When I talked to people around the world in recent weeks it was clear that this is a historic event.”

Mr Aron added: “And when we welcome the public to our theatre we know that we will find a ready audience of sophisticated, passionate cinema fans. With that in mind, we didn’t just want to launch a cinema in Saudi Arabia, we wanted to launch one that fitted the scale of the occasion.”

The theatre is to open to the public this week, and details on how to obtain tickets will be announced on Friday 20 April 2018. 

Three more screens at KAFD’s theatre will open in the third quarter of 2018, marking the beginning of a partnership that could see 30 to 40 cinemas in approximately 15 cities in Saudi Arabia over the next five years, and 50 to 100 cinemas in about 25 Saudi cities by 2030.

The partnership between DIEC and AMC Entertainment advances a key objective of Vision 2030 to grow the entertainment sector in the Kingdom. DIEC intends to invest up to SAR 10 billion in entertainment projects by 2030.

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Gulf

EU, GCC Push to Strengthen Relations, Enhance Cooperation

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships (SPA)
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EU, GCC Push to Strengthen Relations, Enhance Cooperation

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships (SPA)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships (SPA)

The first-ever EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on Wednesday saw wide participation from leaders on both sides.
EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, Christophe Farnaud, told Asharq Al-Awsat that both sides agree on the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon. He also expects a strong joint stance on establishing a Palestinian state, among other key issues.
Farnaud noted ongoing security cooperation between the Gulf and Europe, with both sides working to ensure regional stability. Leaders will discuss major regional issues, including Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and the Red Sea, during the summit.
King Salman’s Vision, International Partnerships
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the Saudi delegation at the summit, underscoring Riyadh’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships.
Observers believe this reflects the success of the “Vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” in enhancing Gulf cooperation, which has effectively boosted the GCC’s strategic partnerships regionally and globally.
With rising military tensions in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, as well as ongoing developments in Lebanon, the Saudi Crown Prince’s participation is vital for coordinating efforts between Saudi Arabia, GCC countries, and their EU counterparts to strengthen regional security and stability.
Saudi Efforts Toward International Coordination
Political analyst Abdul Latif Al-Mulhim told Asharq Al-Awsat that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s participation in the EU-GCC summit in Brussels will reinforce Saudi Arabia's commitment to the Palestinian cause.
He highlighted the importance of achieving a just peace that allows the Palestinian people to establish their state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Al-Mulhim added that this participation reflects the Crown Prince's efforts to engage with key regional and international players to coordinate actions aimed at stopping military escalations and enhancing security and stability in the region and beyond.
Al-Mulhim highlighted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role in leading the Saudi delegation at the EU-GCC summit will strengthen trade and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and the European Union, which represents 14.8% of the kingdom’s total trade, making it its second-largest trading partner.
His participation will also boost cooperation with EU countries by leveraging opportunities from Saudi Vision 2030 and the European Green Deal, especially in climate change and clean energy initiatives.
The First Summit and the Gulf’s Openness to International Partnerships
Observers note that the Gulf-European summit is significant as it is the first gathering of state leaders, reflecting the GCC’s openness, especially from Saudi Arabia, to partnerships with key global blocs.
Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, called the summit a “historical milestone in the strategic partnership between the council and the European Union.”
He emphasized that it highlights both sides’ commitment to strengthening relations amid increasing regional and international challenges.
Evolution of Relations
The significant improvement in Gulf-European relations since the European Commission announced a “strategic partnership with the Gulf” in 2022 has been notable.
The recent summit marked a culmination of two years of efforts to formalize this partnership, which aims to enhance political cooperation and joint action in areas such as climate change, trade, investment, digitalization, sustainable supply chains, and green transformation, while also advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Al-Mulhim told Asharq Al-Awsat that the summit provides an opportunity to address current geopolitical challenges.
It will help align GCC leaders' efforts to engage with key regional and international parties to coordinate actions to stop military operations in Gaza and respond to the situation in Lebanon. He also stressed the need for a unified vision for a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Both the GCC and EU member states agree on the importance of supporting efforts to enhance regional and international stability and security, especially in halting Israeli military operations in Gaza and addressing human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Last month, Saudi Arabia, alongside partners from the Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, Norway, and the EU, launched the Global Alliance for a Two-State Solution.
Al-Mulhim noted that this initiative builds on the recognition of the state of Palestine by several countries, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s global influence and recognition.
Enhancing Economic Cooperation
The EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman emphasized a shared desire to strengthen cooperation.
Leaders will discuss economic and investment issues, with trade between the two sides reaching €170 billion, excluding services. Saudi Vision 2030 and the European Green Deal offer significant opportunities for cooperation, particularly in combating climate change and promoting clean energy.
Official figures indicate that trade between Saudi Arabia and the EU reached $78.8 billion in 2023, with Saudi exports to the EU valued at $38.4 billion and imports at $40.39 billion.
GCC countries have expressed their commitment to establishing a strategic partnership with the EU, aiming for a free trade agreement and mutual facilitation of e-visas.
They also seek to explore new areas of collaboration in technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, environment, water, tourism, mining, logistics, and connecting European ports with GCC ports.