After lifting the ban on women driving, Saudi Arabia has now announced that it will lift the three-decade-old ban on commercial cinemas as a part of social reforms. The culture and information ministry made the historic announcement on Monday.
"Commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years," the ministry said in a statement, adding that they would issue licences immediately.
The announcement was made as a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform programme. The crown prince is revolutionising Saudi Arabia and has created a bold vision for the kingdom's economy.
Cinema halls were in operation in the country until the 1970s. They were shut down during a wave of "ultra-conservatism in the country."
"Opening cinemas will act as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification," Minister of Culture and Information Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad said in a statement. "By developing the broader cultural sector we will create new employment and training opportunities, as well as enriching the Kingdom's entertainment options."
"This marks a watershed moment in the development of the cultural economy in the kingdom," Alawwad said.
The kingdom is expected to open more than 300 cinemas with over 2,000 screens in the next 12 years. The government is expecting that the cinemas will contribute to over 90 billion riyals ($24 billion) to the economy and also create thousands of permanent jobs.
The 32-year-old prince is easing several restrictions in the country. He also announced to make a smart city dubbed NEOM that will have a free lifestyle for women. The city, which will be a $500 billion project, will focus on creating a hub of cutting-edge research and several industries.
"This place is not for conventional people or conventional companies, this will be a place for the dreamers for the world," the crown prince said at the conference in Octo9ber. "The strong political will and the desire of a nation. All the success factors are there to create something big in Saudi Arabia."
Earlier, he had made a historic decision of allowing women in the country to drive. The driving licenses will be issued to women from 2018.
"We were not like this in the past. We want to go back to what we were: moderate Islam. We will eradicate the remnants of extremism very soon... We represent the moderate teachings and principles of Islam," the prince said.
