JEDDAH, 30 December 2005 — Jeddah Mayor Adel Faqeeh yesterday launched the Jeddah Innovation Prize that will recognize establishments, companies and individuals for achievements in three fields: Construction, environmental protection, photography and art.
The mayor said the recipients of the prize, the brainchild of the previous mayor, Abdullah Al-Muallami, would be determined and announced over the next six months.
A group of literary figures, businessmen and media personalities attended the ceremony. A website for the Jeddah Innovation Prize was also launched: www.jeddah-award.com.
Tareq Fadaaq, the secretary-general of the prize committee, said that the municipality held more than 30 meetings to come up with the details of the prize.
The judges would include Saudis, three Americans, one German and a Frenchman.
Actor and producer Omar Al-Jasser asked the mayor about his idea of building a public theater in Jeddah. Faqeeh said that the idea was being studied.
The Saudi Ittihad Club is sponsoring the prize, along with Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who will give away the prizes.
