Saudi Arabia’s national media authority held a session on Thursday chaired by Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awad Al-Awad announcing the terms and conditions for approving permits for cinema theaters, saying that a number of global and local companies are preparing to enter the market.
The culture and information ministry said it had “finalized the terms of licensing to restore cinema in Saudi Arabia.”
“Licensing commences immediately,” the ministry added in a statement.
It also stated that it anticipates over 350 cinemas with over 2,500 screens that will open by 2030.
Issuing cinema permits in Saudi Arabia is grated only after fulfilling regulatory conditions in coordination with concerned governmental bodies.
Authorities have defined three types of licenses: the establishment of the cinema house, the license to practice or operate cinemas, and the license to operate the cinema in both fixed and temporary categories.
The news comes as Dubai-based VOX Cinemas, the leading operator in the Middle East, launches its first public screening in Saudi Arabia.
Major cinema chains are seeking to break into the market of more than 30 million people, the majority of whom are under 25.
Riyadh announced in December last year that it would end a 35-year ban on cinemas as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Kingdom Vision 2030, which is a transformation agenda aimed at further diversifying the Saudi economy.
