Lucy Frazer says UK ready to support Saudi Arabia ‘as you look to transform your economy’ – Cambs News

Lucy Frazer, SE Cambs MP and secretary for culture, media and sport, is one of five UK ministers leading a 450-strong UK delegation to Saudi Arabia to boost trade and cultural ties. “Yours is a Kingdom that is on the move and we, as a government and as a country, want to move with you,” she said in a speech at the GREAT Futures event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Great Futures focuses on cooperation and partnerships between British companies and institutions and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia.

“We recognize that few places on earth have changed more in the last decade,” Ms Frazer said.

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“Our two countries have always found common ground in areas such as international development and security cooperation, but today it is clear – in 2024 – that there are huge new opportunities available to both of us.

“Days like this really underline the Kingdom’s huge cultural and creative ambitions in its Vision 2030.

“That vision is bold; it is ambitious and I am here today because I believe Britain can play a part in that story.

“Because, like Saudi Arabia, we are unapologetically ambitious to build on our strengths to grow our economy and improve the lives of people in the UK and around the world.”

She said Saudi Arabia is working to expand and diversify its cultural offerings.

MP and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer in Saudi Arabia and tells the hosts “we admire your young and vibrant people. We appreciate your spirit of enterprise and ambition”

“I know the level of ambition is staggering, supporting 100 new films, commissioning 26 new museums, increasing the Creative Industries GDP contribution to 3%, generating $20 billion in revenue and creating over 100,000 jobs – and all by 2030,” she said.

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“To put things into perspective, the GVA of our creative industries was £124.6 billion in 2022 alone.

“These industries account for 2.4 million jobs in the UK and grew faster than our entire economy between 2021 and 2022.

“And obviously much of the credit for this phenomenal growth goes to the tremendous talent we have at our disposal.

“But it is also the case that we, as a government, have consistently recognized the strength of these industries and sought to maximize their true potential at every turn.”

Ms Frazer said few countries were better placed than the UK “to support the Kingdom as you look to transform your economy.

“Growing and developing your creative industries, strengthening your status as a major player in sport and expanding your reputation as a tourist destination.

“I know that these kinds of collaborations have already started in some areas, such as Esports – with British Esports and the Saudi Esports Federation committing last year to greater cooperation in education and cultural exchanges.

MP and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer in Saudi Arabia and tells the hosts “we admire your young and vibrant people. We appreciate your spirit of enterprise and ambition”

“And we’re seeing the beginnings of cultural and creative exchanges with world-renowned British composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, who recently took over Phantom of the Opera in Riyadh.”

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The Culture Secretary said that in 2022 the UK welcomed more than 200,000 visitors from the Kingdom, and Visit Britain’s latest forecast calls for 240,000 visits from Saudi Arabia this year.

“And this is another area where you invest in the fundamentals – building the tourism infrastructure needed to make Saudi Arabia a magnet for visitors,” she said.

“Doing what is necessary to increase the number of annual travelers to the Kingdom from 14 million to 60 million over the next five years.

“This is an area where the UK has deep expertise, for example in vocational training, and I know that members of our delegation will be well placed to talk about this during some of the planned sessions.

“Yours is a Kingdom with a huge heritage and I have no doubt that countless people will seek the chance to come see and experience this heritage..

“To support you on this journey, I can confirm that Historic England and the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia are actively exploring a new partnership to co-operate in the field of cultural heritage.”

Ms Frazer said “as government ministers and senior industry leaders, it is in our gift to welcome a new era of investment, partnership and growth between our two countries”.

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She concluded: “I want to close by paying tribute to our hosts Saudi Arabia, who are among our oldest friends in this region.

“We admire your young and vibrant people. We appreciate your spirit of enterprise and ambition.

“So I’d like to thank you all, once again, for being here and being a part of the Futures program.

“As part of what we are doing here this week, each of you will write your own contribution to a new chapter in British-Arab relations. One defined by security and prosperity.

“Through cooperation and collaboration. Through the exchange of knowledge, ideas and investments.”