Riyadh, Oct. 04, 2021, SPA -- The Periodic government communication press briefing was held in Riyadh today, with the participation of Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi, and Turki Al Al-Sheikh, Advisor at the Royal Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in which they praised the interaction of citizens on the Saudi National Day, which reflected the public’s sentiments and passion for belonging to their nation. Dr. Al-Qasabi highlighted the Kingdom’s ranking 10th out of 184 countries in the global Covid combating index, which was announced by the World Health Organization, extending his appreciation of all health workers and all those who contributed to making this achievement a reality. Al-Qasabi also paid tribute to the Kingdom’s unprecedented achievement at the international level for being placed second among the G-20 countries in the Digital Renaissance Index. He underlined the accession of the Farasan island as the first Saudi protected area to the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program in addition to non-oil exports which registered the highest history, amounting to SR255 billion from June 2020 to June 2021, reflecting a practical translation of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The minister also highlighted the importance of His Highness the Crown Prince’s launch of the Human Capacity Development Program, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of citizens locally and globally, as well as Asir development strategy launched by HRH the Crown Prince to enhance the region’s position as a global tourist destination throughout the year. Dr. Al-Qasabi also pointed to the Riyadh Intentional Book Fair, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, hosting Iraq as a guest of honor as the Iraqi pavilion accommodates 13 Iraqi publishing houses, and a delegation of more than 50 Iraqi writers, intellectuals and media figures, headed by the Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Hassan Nadhim, and witnessed the participation of 1,000 local, Arab and international publishing houses from 28 countries, and more than one million title, making it the largest book fair in the region. He also underlined the opening of the Kingdom's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which won three records in the Guinness Book of Records, demonstrating the unprecedented transformation that the Kingdom is going through. The minister also highlighted King Salman’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he cited the foundations of the Kingdom's foreign and domestic policies, based on good neighborliness, comprehensive development, consolidating security and stability, supporting dialogue and peaceful solutions, and working with the international community to confront development, environmental and health challenges. Regarding the tourism sector in the Kingdom, Dr. Al-Qasabi stressed the importance of the territorial diversity of the Kingdom, and the hospitality of its people, pointing out that the Ministry of Tourism invested during the pandemic in building infrastructure, information and services, and completing the readiness of the tourism sector to receive tourists. Regarding commercial cover-ups, Dr. Al-Qasabi said: "Cover-up is cancer that has been consuming the Kingdom’s economy for decades by wasting opportunities for the sons and daughters of the nation," pointing out the state's seriousness in combating cover-ups, citing the directive of HRH the Crown Prince to form a committee for the anti-cover-up program with the participation of 20 bodies to fight it, and intensifying penalties which now amount to up to five years imprisonment, and an SR five million fine. For his part, Advisor at the Royal Court, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Al Al-Sheikh, thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their unlimited support for the entertainment sector, reviewing the achievements of the GEA, as the number of participating and organizing companies in various seasons and events exceeded 2,300 companies, and 2,500 events, adding that the number of visitors exceeded 75 million, while the number of licenses reached 4,400, and the number of direct jobs created stood at more than 10,000, and more than 100,000 trainees. Al Al-Sheikh announced the launch of the second edition of the Riyadh season on October 20, which will include 14 entertainment areas, more than 7,500 events, ten international exhibitions, 350 Arab and international theatrical performances, a tournament for electronic games, 100 interactive experiences, 18 Arab movies, six international plays, exhibitions and auctions for international cars, six international concerts, 70 cafes, 200 restaurants, including ten international restaurants for the first time in the Kingdom, more than 30 tons of fireworks, a wrestling event, more than 76 Arab concerts, and two international football matches. GEA Chairman said, "One of the main goals planned by HRH the Crown Prince is for Riyadh to be a capital with a population of more than 15 million," which will see the sustainability of entertainment and tourism activities, with the "Boulevard Riyadh City" and "Via Centre, Riyadh" running throughout the year. He reiterated that the Riyadh season activities tickets will be offered at competitive prices, 40% less compared to those cast the region and the rest of the world, in addition to the allocation of four free-entry zones. Regarding the diversity of events, Al Al-Sheikh explained that the musical concerts represent 2% of the total activities of the event, and many areas and theaters will be allocated for exploring and developing Saudi talents, adding that the GEA has achieved 30% of its 2030 target. --SPA 21:54 LOCAL TIME 18:54 GMT 0035 www.spa.gov.sa/w1630551