The Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) Turki Al-Shabanah handed over on Monday the seventh license for operating movie theaters to Al-Jeel Al-Qaadim Company (Next Generation Company), which will carry the name ‘muvi', as the first Saudi trademark, Saudi Press Agency said Monday. This was in the presence of the CEO of GCAM Badr Al-Zahrani. "The GCAM provides all facilities to local companies that endeavor to open cinema halls. It has re-engineered the procedures and reduced the requirements for the issuance of licenses.", Al-Shabanah said. Meanwhile, the CEO of the Commission confirmed that work is going on in developing all kinds of activities related to the audiovisual sector including cinemas, with the aim of providing high-quality services to national companies and investors. This is in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, whose goal is to diversify the national economy and increase job opportunities for Saudi young men and women. It is noteworthy that Al-Jeel Al-Qaadim Company, which is an affiliate of Fawaz Al-Hokair Group, intends to open its first cinema hall in partnership with the foreign operator "The Light" at Mall of Arabia in Jeddah. It aims to construct six movie theaters comprising 50 screens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province during the current year. – SPA
