Affirming the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry, a recent report from the Ministry of Commerce has revealed that the Kingdom’s cinema sector grew by 30 percent in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago.
In its Business Sector Bulletin for the second quarter, the ministry noted that 1,700 commercial registers were issued in the film production sector, compared to 1,300 in the second quarter of the previous year, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Elevating promising industries, including cinema, is one of the key goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as the Kingdom is steadily diversifying its economy, which has been dependent on oil for several decades.
According to the report, Riyadh issued 953 commercial registers, followed by Makkah with 501 and the eastern region with 155.
The report further pointed out that Madinah and Qassim issued 51 and 22 commercial registers, respectively.
Saudi Arabia’s film industry has witnessed massive progress over the recent years as movies from the Kingdom have attracted global attention in several international film festivals.
Earlier this month, “Banel & Adama,” a film backed by the Red Sea Fund.—AN
