General Authority for Entertainment (Saudi Arabia)

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
General Authority for Entertainment
الهيئة العامة للترفيه
Agency overview
Formed May 7, 2016 (2016-05-07)
Jurisdiction Saudi Arabia
Agency executive
  • Ahmed bin Aqeel al-Khatib, Governor

The General Authority for Entertainment (GEA) was created on May 7, 2016 by royal decree in Saudi Arabia. The GEA is responsible for the nation’s expanding entertainment sector.[1]

History

On May 7, 2016, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia announced a royal decree which included 67 announcements. Among the restructured and renamed councils, the General Authority for Entertainment was created. The General Authority for Culture was the only other entity to be created as a result of the announcements in the royal decree.[2]

Mission

The Saudi population spends $22 billion dollars in tourism and entertainment outside the country every year. The government aims to transform 25% of that spending into local travel and entertainment to create a solid Saudi tourism economy.[3][4] The Saudi Vision 2030 plan aims to raise capital by harnessing the previously unaddressed entertainment sector, helping to "nurture entertainment in all its forms, while also seeking to safeguard our precious cultural heritage".[5]

The General Authority for Entertainment defines the vision and evolution of the Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry. It partners with both public and private actors, to reduce government spending on entertainment.[6][4] In December 2016, the General Authority for Entertainment’s Chairman, Ahmed Al Khateeb, stated that the organization was created to boost citizen participation and opportunities for the youth.[7][4]

Events and entertainment facilities

In early 2017, Jeddah held the first-ever Saudi Comic Con. The event dedicated to films, comics and anime featured celebrity appearances and was backed by the General Authority for Entertainment.[8]

In November 2016, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced planned expansions into Saudi Arabia, and the board of the GEA was appointed to manage the development of the theme parks in the country[6]. Three parks are planned for construction, with the first one set to open by 2021.[9]

The General Authority for entertainment launched an online entertainment calendar, Roznamah (calendar in Arabic), in order to communicate about, and compile over 300 upcoming and past events, nationwide.[10] It features upcoming film screenings and performances by Cirque du Soleil, Universe Science, the Light Festival and the Lion King musical.[11]

Board

The board’s members meet every three months, and include male, female, foreign and local actors, with His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb as Chairman of the GEA.[12]

The Board members include:[13]

  • Ahmed Aqeel Al Khateeb: Chairman of the Board of the General Entertainment Authority
  • Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi: Minister of Trade & Investment in Saudi Arabia
  • Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al Jubair: Mayor of Eastern Region
  • Eng. Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel: Chairman and CEO of Abdul Latif Jameel
  • Dr. Lama Abdulaziz AlSulaiman: Former Vice Chairwoman and Board Member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Eng. Mousa Omran Al Omran: General Manager of West Bakeries Company & Independent Director of Almarai
  • Mr. Bandar Mohammed Assiri: Head of General Commission for Audio-visual Media
  • Mr. Joe Zenas: Chief Executive Officer at Thinkwell Group
  • Mr. Jonathan Tétrault: Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer at Cirque du Soleil

References

  1. ↑ "Sovereign fund to invest in new Saudi entertainment city". Cnbc.com. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "أوامر ملكية سعودية.. واستحداث هيئتين للترفيه والثقافة". Aawsat.com (in Arabic). 7 May 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "WATCH & READ: Mohammed Bin Salman's full interview". Alarabiya.com. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Katie Paul; William Maclean (27 April 2017). "Saudi entertainment chief sees cinemas returning, eventually". reuters.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  5. ↑ Aarti Nagraj (28 December 2016). "Saudi appoints board for newly created entertainment entity". Gulfbusiness.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  6. 1 2 "New Saudi authority set to develop theme parks industry". Arabianbusiness.com. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "General Authority for Entertainment chief seeks citizen participation". Arabnews.com. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  8. ↑ "Who We Are". Saudicomiccon.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "Six Flags aiming to open first Saudi park by 2021". Reuters.com. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. ↑ "«صبح صبح» المصرية في روزنامة الترفيه السعودية". Makkahnewspaper.com (in Arabic). 20 July 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  11. ↑ James M. Dorsey (11 April 2017). "Sport, Culture And Entertainment Drive A Tricky Saudi Change". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  12. ↑ "Board Members of GEA Approved". 28 December 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  13. ↑ "The board". Gea.gov.sa. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
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