Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi minister of media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabana on Tuesday has awarded the seventh cinema licence to local firm Next Generation, a subsidiary of the Tadawul-listed Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair.

After obtaining the licence, Next Generation will operate the first Saudi cinema brand under the name ‘Muvi’ in partnership with the UK-based cinema operator, The Light, Gulf Business reported. 

“The authority will be providing all facilities to local companies seeking to open cinemas, as it has re-engineered the procedures and reduced requirements for licensing,” Saudi newspaper Arab News said, citing Al-Shabana.

The kingdom is at pains to develop all activities related to audiovisual media, including the cinema industry as part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy by investing in the recreation sector, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media’s (GCAM) CEO said.