RIYADH: The National Handicraft Program (Bari), in coordination with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is hosting the second GCC handicraft fair at the National Museum in Riyadh.

The exhibition, an extension of the Kingdom’s effort to develop the handicraft sector, begins Oct. 10, 2016, in conjunction with the meeting of the third session of the GCC tourism ministers in Riyadh on Monday, a senior official from Bari said.

He revealed that the exhibition, which will last for four days, will witness the participation of a number of male and female artisans from GCC countries, who will display their wares and a variety of handicraft products.

Each country will participate with three artisans in different categories of crafts, he added.

He said the exhibition would be open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the lobby of the National Museum.

Meanwhile, the museum’s authorities have concluded preparations for the launch of the event, including preparation of independent pavilions of the participating countries.

According to officials, about 27 sq.m. has been marked for each participating countries to showcase their arts and crafts.

Commenting on the exhibition, Jasir Al-Harbash, general supervisor of the program said: “This exhibition is an extension to efforts of the Kingdom for the development of handicraft sector in the region, as well as bringing about balanced and sustainable development to achieve the Kingdom’s vision in making this sector a major tributary to the national economy,” adding that the sector represents a major route in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program of Caring for the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage.

He pointed out that the participation of GCC countries in this exhibition confirms the importance of efforts by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH).

and its various initiatives nationally, regionally and internationally, where a large number of artisans have benefited from the handicrafts promotion program.

Al-Harbash recently revealed that average imports of handicrafts in Kingdom reach over SR1.5 billion annually, while annually domestic handicrafts production amounts to SR250 million.

Art and culture form an important part of Vision 2030 spearheaded by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs chaired by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The ambitious plan aiming economic diversification asserts that these two aspects represent the main pillars of a quality life; therefore, the government pledges to provide a rich experience and reach citizen’s expectations for a quality life in the Kingdom.