The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in cooperation with the Saudi Credit and Saving Bank has launched a special program for financing heritage villages and towns in all provinces. Agreements for financing Al-Ghat Heritage Village in Riyadh Province and Al-Ma'a Men in Asir Province have already been signed. Both the projects are worth SR70 million. The development of heritage villages is part of SCTA programs for the preservation of architectural heritage. The SCTA adopted the program in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and a number of government bodies. It also represents an important economic source for developing the provinces and providing job opportunities in implementation of the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier. Abdullah Al-Nasser Al-Sudairi, Governor of Al-Ghat and President of Al-Ghat Cooperative Society, said Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh Province, attended the signing of the agreement for financing the rehabilitation of Al-Ghat Heritage Village. Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the SCTA, has exerted great efforts in finalizing the stages of the agreement, he said. Dr. Hamad Al-Samail, SCTA's Assistant Vice President of for Investment, said the tourism body worked in coordination with the bank to activate the decision of the Cabinet on financing heritage buildings.
