LOC17:03
14:03 GMT
RIYADH, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- The Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information has approved the issuance of licences for those wishing to open cinemas in the Kingdom.
Licence-giving is to commence once relevant regulations for audiovisual shows at public places are completed within a period of no more than 90 days, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said, quoting a statement of the ministry on Monday.
The Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media will take soon executive procedures necessary to open cinemas in its capacity as the regulator of this sector, it said.
However, the contents of shows will be subject to censorship according to the kingdom's media policy standards, stressing that they will be in line with values, principles and Sharia Laws, it added.
The cinema sector is expected to provide provide 30,000 permanent jobs and 130,000 permanent jobs, and spur economic growth by contirbuting over 90 billion Saudi riyals (USD 24 billion) to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it noted. (end)
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