His Excellency Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), arrived in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, on an official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in the cultural and entertainment fields between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt. He was received upon arrival by His Excellency Dr. Diaa Rashwan, Minister of State for Media, in a reception reflecting the deep fraternal ties that bind the two brotherly nations.
Upon his arrival, Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh expressed his immense happiness at being in his “second home, Egypt,” praising the warm welcome he received from Minister Diaa Rashwan. On his official Facebook page, Al-Sheikh wrote: “I have just arrived in my second home, Egypt, for an official visit of several days, and I was delighted to be received by my dear brother, Dr. Diaa Rashwan, Minister of Information, whom I congratulate on the leadership’s confidence in him. May God protect Egypt and the Kingdom.”.
Context of the visit: Vision 2030 and Arab integration
This visit comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a radical transformation in its entertainment sector, spearheaded by the General Entertainment Authority, as a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. In recent years, the Kingdom has successfully hosted major international events such as Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season, attracting millions of visitors and global stars, thus establishing itself on the global entertainment map. Through these partnerships, the Kingdom seeks to exchange expertise and expand its cultural influence regionally.
The importance of Egyptian-Saudi cooperation in the entertainment sector
Egypt has historically been a beacon of art and culture in the Arab world, boasting a vast pool of artistic and creative talent and a rich history in film, television, and music. Cooperation between the two largest soft powers in the region, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, represents a strategic opportunity for unprecedented integration. The visit is expected to explore ways to launch joint projects, including film and television production, organizing major concerts and artistic events, and exchanging expertise in managing and operating entertainment venues and festivals.
Expected effects of the visit
Domestically, this rapprochement is expected to open doors for Egyptian artists and creators to participate more broadly in Saudi events, and vice versa, thus creating a more vibrant Arab market. Regionally, this alliance is poised to reshape the entertainment landscape in the Middle East and enhance the global competitiveness of Arabic content. The partnership is also anticipated to have significant economic dimensions, attracting investment, boosting tourism in both countries, and generating thousands of jobs in the creative industries.
