Abu Dhabi links with Saudi Arabia for “media growth”
November 6, 2017
By Chris Forrester
Abu Dhabi’s Media Zone Authority (MZA) says it is collaborating with Saudi Arabia’s Audiovisual Media Commission in order to grow the region’s media sector.
A delegation from the Saudi organisation visited Abu Dhabi and signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding to enhance knowledge and experience sharing to help grow the regional media sector.
The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Maryam Eid AlMheiri, CEO of the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi and twofour54, and Redha bin Mohammed Al Haidar, General Director of GCAM, during a special ceremony hosted in twofour54’s facility and production house in Abu Dhabi.
AlMheiri said: “At MZA, we actively support the growth of the region’s media industry as it contributes significantly to local GDPs and is a key economic driver in supporting governments’ diversification efforts. We are proud that MZA’s contribution to non-oil GDP of Abu Dhabi continues to grow year on year and that our twofour54 community continues to provide job opportunities for both Emiratis and residents of the UAE.”
Al Haidar said: “The media sector is an exciting and rapidly evolving industry – rich with opportunities for the youth of Saudi Arabia to learn, grow, and express their creativity. At GCAM we’ve been taking active steps to nurture this industry as per the National Transformation Program 2020, which has seen the complete revamping of the audiovisual media ecosystem.
“We are delighted to be partnering with MZA to exchange knowledge and create opportunities in the media sector for the Saudi and Emirati youth. We look forward to working with the region’s leading creative hub to share knowledge, best practice, and expertise that will help us achieve the bold vision outlined in Vision 2030.”
Over the last few years, twofour54 signed an MoU with the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation to exchange knowledge and has hosted delegates for training. twofour54 has also collaborated with O3 Productions on a state-of-the-art backlot in Abu Dhabi, where Saudi drama series are filmed.