Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to end the kingdom’s reliance on the hydrocarbon sector via intense reforms. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that Saudis can enjoy prosperous, healthy, happy and sustainable lives in a future beyond oil.
Vision 2030 identifies entertainment as “indispensable to our quality of life” and the sector is a pillar of the kingdom’s plans for economic diversification.
Recognising that “entertainment opportunities currently available do not reflect the rising aspirations of our citizens and residents, nor are they in harmony with our prosperous economy”, Vision 2030 calls for the creation of a vibrant entertainment sector that can “suit tastes and preferences” while attracting foreign investment and providing “many job opportunities” for Saudis.
A year ago, the royal court ordered the establishment of the General Authority for Entertainment. Last year, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation began discussions about building entertainment facilities in the kingdom, including a half-a-billion-dollar theme park. Within the past six months, motor sports, music shows and even a World Wrestling Entertainment event have been staged in Riyadh, Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City.
Last month, the Saudis unveiled plans for an “entertainment city”, a 129-square-mile plot south of Riyadh, which will include a Six Flags theme park, plus cultural, sports and recreational facilities including cinemas, concert venues, golf courses and resorts. Work is likely to begin next year. Its expected opening date is 2022. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will provide most of the funding.
Amr Al Madani, the head of the entertainment authority, explained that Saudi Arabia’s goal is to have at least 450 clubs throughout the kingdom, offering cultural activities and a variety of events by 2020, promising the creation of 100,000 new jobs.
But the push to grow the entertainment sector is controversial, especially among the religious establishment. Since the 1980s, when Saudi Arabia became increasingly conservative amid a rise of Islamist forces across the Middle East, cinemas have been illegal.
The grand mufti warned this year that legalising cinemas and concerts may lead to “mixing of sexes” and “atheistic or rotten” influence in the kingdom.
Later, however, Saudi Arabia’s religious authority seemed to have softened his stance when he said that plans for growing the kingdom’s entertainment sector “will be dealt with wisely”.
With Mohammed bin Salman, the deputy crown prince, leading the transformation, there have been concerts in the country, which have left clerics unhappy. The deputy crown prince has stated that only a small percentage of Saudi clerics are too rigid to engage in a dialogue to back the Vision 2030 plans for investing in entertainment ventures. Over half of the religious scholars can be converted through dialogue and the rest either have no interest or are not in a position to cause any serious problems, according to Prince Mohammed.
The deputy crown prince has already stripped the anti-vice committee of the right to make arrests and he seeks to increase female labour participation in the market to 30 per cent. Saudi clerics see Vision 2030 as exposing the kingdom to corrupt influences and as chipping away at their authority.
Reintroducing cinemas would, on the other hand, be popular with younger Saudi citizens.
Three-quarters of Saudis are under the age of 30 and half are younger than 25. Although the deputy crown prince is taking risks in challenging the clerics, the voices of Saudi youth are becoming stronger, which is a fact that needs to be considered as entertainment becomes more readily available.
Saudi Arabia’s gender separation also comes into focus because of the implications of a growing entertainment industry. Prince Mohammed understands this and has devised plans for dealing with such social challenges.
Simultaneously, older clerics know that they may need to be careful in how they voice opposition to the reintroduction of cinemas and other ventures in the entertainment sector. Prince Mohammed has already warned that action will be taken against extremist clerics who advocate violence against these plans.
Ultimately, given that the clerics must respect the ruling family, many in the religious establishment will come under pressure to accept new policies in the kingdom.
The more hardline clerics who do not accede to the leadership’s vision may well disrupt the transformation with their complaints about cinemas and other entertainment venues.Unquestionably, as Prince Mohammed moves forward with plans to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil, it will be tough to grow the entertainment sector while keeping concerned extremist clerics isolated.
Giorgio Cafiero is the chief executive of Gulf State Analytics, geopolitical risk consultancy in Washington, DC
On Twitter: @GulfStateAnalyt
Dr Theodore Karasik is senior adviser to Gulf State Analytics
On Twitter: @tkarasik
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
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JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
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Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
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The view from The National