The Saudi General Authority for Audiovisual Media, which is headed by Culture and Information Minister Awwad Saleh Alawwad, approved to begin granting licenses to cinemas in the kingdom within a period that does not exceed 90 days.
Licenses will be granted once lists which organize audiovisual shows in public places are finalized.
A statement issued by the ministry of information voiced hope that this move will develop the economy of the cultural and media sector in general and provide job opportunities to Saudis as well as help them acquire new skills.
According to some sources, cinemas will increase the size of the media market and motivate economic growth and diversity as it will contribute with around 90 billion riyals to the GDP and create more than 30,000 permanent jobs as well as more than 130,000 temporary jobs by 2030.
More details about the regulatory frameworks will be announced later.
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