Riyadh, Sha'ban 2, 1439, Apr 18, 2018, SPA -- Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, Minister of Culture and Information, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Audiovisual Information Commission, is set to open in capital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's first public cinema. The historic event is expected to attract senior government officials, prominent guests and cinema industry experts, and representatives of diplomatic corps accredited to the Kingdom The Executive manager and chairman of the cinema sector organizing authority, AMC Adam Aron will also be present to watch the launch of the opening Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther film which was produced this year. The development is seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reform program under Vision 2030, spearheaded by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense. The Ministry of Culture and Information announced a landmark decision in December to allow commercial cinemas to operate in the Kingdom from early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years. --SPA 18:01 LOCAL TIME 15:01 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w671623