Participants at the Fourth National Urban Heritage Forum (NBHF), which opened in Abha on Monday, are expected to discuss new regulations aimed at protecting the country’s heritage sites.

Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled, Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), will lead the discussions. Faisal bin Mansur Al-Fadel, director general of the SCTA’s legal department, said on Monday: “The SCTA will dedicate a special working paper at the four-day forum to discuss new regulations on antiquities, museums and urban heritage.”

Al-Fadel, who prepared the working paper, said the Kingdom is going through a transitional period where it needs to expand on the legislation it has passed to protect the country’s heritage sites, including the nation’s many old buildings.

The forum would also host several cultural events, exhibitions, scientific sessions and workshops, with the participation of local and international experts.

Arab News reported previously that the SCTA plans to launch a company at the forum with initial capital of SR250 million to help turn some of the country’s oldest government-owned buildings into hotels.

The Public Investment Fund would be a stakeholder in the venture, with shares offered to the public at a later stage. The SCTA has already conducted a feasibility study on the company.

The SCTA had started setting up the company in August this year, in line with the requirements of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. Several leading hospitality and heritage companies have indicated their willingness to contribute to the company’s capital.

The company would undertake investment, rehabilitation, management and operation of several heritage buildings owned by the state, to transform them into tourism accommodation facilities, the SCTA had said.

The SCTA in collaboration with a consulting firm has conducted feasibility studies on four sites for development. They are in Al-Dariyah, Al-Hofuf, Al-Ula and the old part of Jeddah.