Saudi operator plans to open 30 theatres

Al-Rashed Empire Cinema Consortium announced plans to open as many as 30 theatres in various cities around Saudi Arabia, after it was granted a licence to operate cinemas in the kingdom by the General Authority for Audiovisual Media on Sunday.

The news comes just months after the kingdom lifted its cinema ban in December following a 35-year ban. Cinemas were first shut down in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s when religious hardliners dubbed them too vulgar and sinful.

The authority approved the issuance of licenses in December to build the sector and boost economic diversity and job creation in new fields. The plan is in line with Saudi’s diversification Vision 2030 and part of a modernisation drive by reformist crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.