Taif Gov. Fahd bin Muammar inspected the arrangements on Friday. He said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has instructed all to provide every support to the historic cultural site.
Rashid Al-Ghamdi, executive director of Souk Okaz, highlighted the organization’s strategic plan that is devised based on its historic position and its role in promoting cultural discourse. “Souk Okaz will emphasize the Kingdom’s cultural progress and achievements,” he said.
He said it would also promote tourism investment in the area. This will be accomplished in association with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). “We’ll also establish infrastructure facilities for the market and develop this historic place as an attractive tourist site.”
He said the SCTA is backing Souk Okaz’s strategic plan with necessary manpower and funds. “It wants to develop this site as one of the premier tourist attractions in the Arab world,” he added.
The SCTA will also revise the market’s annual programs in order to attract more tourists and visitors. “We intend to hold five new exhibitions, bringing the total number of exhibitions to be staged at Souk Okaz to 15. They include an exhibition on the achievements of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and another titled the Kingdom of Humanity and King of Peace,” Al-Ghamdi said.
Other three new exhibitions are to be organized by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Information and King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology.
The total area of Souk Okaz covers 10 million sq. m. including the areas for exhibitions, the gallery for art shows, the new platform to stage various programs and open areas. He commended the support extended by the various government departments, especially the services provided by the Civil Defense to ensure safety and security of the market.
Speaking about the new projects implemented by the Taif municipality at the market, Al-Ghamdi said they included establishment of a gate, 40,000 sq. m. of greenery, resting places for visitors and a fountain at the market’s entrance.
A two-way road will be constructed from the air defense flyover to the market at a cost of SR25 million by the Transport Ministry.
Al-Ghamdi emphasized the SCTA’s efforts to promote Souk Okaz as one of the major tourist attractions in the Kingdom.
It has also deployed a number of its employees to make the annual event a big success.