Saudi Seasons program will create jobs, drive economy, says GEA CEO

The Saudi Seasons program of sports, cultural and entertainment events will contribute to a thriving economy and a vibrant society, the chief executive of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) told Arab News on Saturday.

“We are working with over 80 local companies and, under these companies, there are so many subcontracted suppliers. We are creating over 25,000 jobs; we are also developing opportunities for over 25,000 volunteers,” Amr Banaja said.

Major entertainment events like this, he said, were “an example of attracting around 5 million visitors, out of which 1 million of them tourists from outside the Kingdom.”

He also noted that his team would be evaluating the “social return” on the financial investment involved in bringing a raft of world-class performers to the Kingdom.

“They will create not just people that are happy across the Kingdom, and tourists, but will create real economic impact from job creation to GDP contribution. We will analyze all the results from the first year and continue to build on the success that we have had,” Banaja said.

“We have started to develop some real local companies as well as local talents, and in the near future we will be dependent on a thriving local industry,” he concluded.