Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture on Tuesday announced the setting up of the board of directors of the Heritage Commission, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The board will be headed by Culture Minister Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan and Deputy Minister of Culture Hamid Bin Mohammed Fayez as deputy chairman with Princess Najla Bint Ahmed, Dr. Fahd Bin Abdullah Al Samari, Sulaiman Bin Abdulrahman Al-Theeb, Dr. Laila Al-Al-Bassam and Francesco Bandarin as members.

The membership of the board is for three years and can be extended and the board will hold its meetings four times a year or whenever the need arises.

The Heritage Commission will be responsible for the development and preservation of the heritage sector in Saudi Arabia. It has been tasked with preparing a plan for the sector within the framework of the national culture strategy.

The commission will provide support to the ministry’s efforts to promote and preserve the Saudi culture and will initiate programs to boost investment in the sector.

It will also hold local and international conferences, exhibitions, events, and competitions in order to create awareness about the preservation of heritage sites.

The commission will also conduct training programs and offer scholarships to creative and talented people.

It will also ensure the protection of intellectual property rights and create a database for the sector.