Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, launched the first phase of submitting letter of intent for the “Pulse of Khobar” project, which aims to develop an integrated cultural center in the heart of Al-Khobar in the Eastern Province.

According to Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan, the “Pulse of Al-Khabor” project, which seeks to develop and activate the old market place of Al-Khobar, is the fruit of cooperation and partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

“The project will become a permanent platform for cultural activities in its various sectors. It aims to establish a cultural incubator for talented people in cultural sectors such as theater and performing arts, music, visual arts, and culinary arts.”

Prince Badr said that the involvement of the community and small and medium-sized enterprises in the “Pulse of Al-Khboar” project will have a positive impact, and support creativity by developing a business model that creates a sustainable ecosystem, while preserving Saudi heritage and culture.

On his part, Acting Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Majed Al-Hoqail stated that the project aims to raise the quality of life in the Eastern Province, by building an artistic and heritage destination open to various cultural activities that will have a positive impact on raising the quality of life for residents of Al-Khobar governorate and visitors to the eastern region, in a way contributing to defining the region’s culture and enhancing its position as a tourist destination.

The choice of the project site comes from its strategic location as it has the potential to become a future hub for tourism, culture and arts in Al-Khobar, in addition to diversifying investment opportunities, creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and increasing investment opportunities therein.

The project, which will benefit from the old market buildings, will include markets and spaces for sports, exhibitions for plastic arts, places dedicated for free crafts, areas dedicated to teaching arts for children and amateur artists, in addition to studios for artists, art cafes, a specialized area for musical instruments and their maintenance and other periodical musical performances.

The project also includes area to develop children’s vocal performance capabilities and music education, public squares that include an open theater, and facility for visual arts in addition to areas for selling new and second hand books, area for displaying archaeological copies, an interactive area for teaching book production and binding, and a library area.

The project will also include places for farmers’ goods, a library specialized in culinary arts, restaurants, cafes, places to eat and drink, in addition to an area for organic products.

The project will be awarded for implementation in three phases: The first phase consists of submitting a letter of intent while the second phase will shortlist potential investors, and the third phase will decide the project developer.

The project will contribute to providing job opportunities, upgrading the level of services to achieve the elements of quality of life in the region and support the nomination file for Al-Khobar to be among the top 100 cities in the world.

Eng. Fahad Al-Jubeir, mayor of the Eastern Province, called on all investors and interested people to look into the procedures and terms and conditions before submitting a letter of intent, which includes general information about the project, through the link of the mayoralty’s website. https://invest.eamana.gov.sa