RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has announced that cultural infrastructure investments in the Kingdom have surpassed $21.6 billion (SAR 81 billion) since the launch of Vision 2030, underscoring the country’s drive to embed culture at the core of its economic and social transformation.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the milestone places the Kingdom among the leading investors in the creative economy in the Middle East, with projects spanning heritage restoration, museums, art galleries, training facilities, and cultural production centers.
Officials emphasized that the funding drawn from public, private, and non-profit contributions supports the National Culture Strategy’s vision of making culture “a way of life” while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural hub.
Key initiatives include the restoration of UNESCO-recognized sites in Diriyah and AlUla, the launch of new museums and libraries, the expansion of film and performing arts centers, and programs to train Saudi youth in arts and cultural management. The Kingdom is also nurturing its fashion, culinary, and music industries, with events such as the Red Sea International Film Festival and global exhibitions in AlUla highlighting its ambitions.
The Ministry said the $21.6 billion mark is “only the beginning”, with further projects planned to boost job creation, strengthen GDP contribution, and elevate Saudi Arabia’s presence on the world cultural stage.
