Jazan Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz, onWednesday inaugurated the first cinema in the Kingdom's southern region.
The cinema, which cost more than SR42 million, is situatedat Al-Rashid Mall, in Jazan City.
Jeddah's first cinema opened its doors to the public earlierin January, and an industry expected up to 35 million people in the Kingdom togo to the movies every year.
Cinemas were banned in the country for decades until thefirst one opened last April in Riyadh.
Research from PwC Middle East in November estimatedthat total cinema revenue in Saudi Arabia would reach $1.5 billion by 2030. Theforecast was based on a projected 2030 population of 39.5 million, and 6.6screens per 100,000 people.
There will be cinemas in Tabuk by the end of this year or byearly 2020. The lifting of the cinema ban is part of the Vision 2030 reformplan.
