In Saudi Arabia the Government's Council of Ministers has approved the appointment of the board of the new General Entertainment Authority.
Thisnew Saudi authority is tasked withpromoting, developing, funding and regulating theinfrastructure of the theme park and entertainment industry in thecountry.
TheGeneral Entertainment Authority
The General Entertainment Authorityis a government-sanctioned body borne out of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program. The authority willcollaborate with both the private sector and government. The aim is to help grow the attractions andentertainment sector in Saudi Arabia.Ahmed Aqeel AlKhateebischairman of the General Entertainment Authority. Hesaid, “This is a significant milestone in the development of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. We are particularly delighted to welcome international experts. Theywill further help us in our aim of both developing and investing into the burgeoning Saudi entertainment industry.
"We have made progress in recent months and there will be much more delivery over the next year."
He said, “In line with the goals set out by Vision 2030, we will strive to provide the Saudi people with quality entertainment choices, building and supporting an entertainment sector for everyone in Saudi Arabia.
"Our board is now formally in place.The next step is to move ahead with strategies that help nurture entertainment in all its forms, whilst also seeking to safeguard our precious cultural heritage.”
The founder and former CEO of Mishkat Interactive Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy, Amr AlMadani is the authority's newCEO.
Hewill be responsible establishing the General Entertainment Authority and for day-to-day operations. The board will meet on a quarterlybasis.
Six Flags Parks for Saudi
The announcement isnot long afterafter American theme park giant Six Flags revealedits plans to create three theme parks in the country.The first of these is expected toopenby 2021.TThe Owner of these parks is likely to bethe Saudi government.Each theme park will cost up to$500 million to build.The first Six Flags park will probablybe inthe capital, Riyadh. The second and third could be inJeddah and on the western Red Sea coast.
Developing a theme park in the Kingdom brings with it its own challenges of course.There is a strictsocial code. Cinemas are banned and in public spaces people are segregated by gender.
Image credit: Saudi Arabia
