Transforming the Permanent Committee for Exhibitions and Conferences established by Royal Order No. (7863/ M B) dated 13/ 11/ 1431 AH into a national program named "National Program for Exhibitions and Conferences".

The program aims to achieve the following:

1- To develop and organize the exhibitions and conferences sector held in the Kingdom comprehensively, and to work on enhancing and increasing its effectiveness.

2- To establish the necessary plans to achieve the program's objectives, tasks, and needs.

A supervisory committee shall be formed for the programs, chaired by the Minister of Commerce, and including the membership of:

• 1- A representative from the Ministry of Municipal and Housing Affairs.

• 2- A representative from the Ministry of Interior.

• 3- A representative from the Ministry of Commerce.

• 4- A representative from the Ministry of Finance.

• 5- Two representatives from companies operating in the exhibitions and conferences sector, nominated by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

• 6- A representative from the Ministry of Tourism.

The rank of representatives of government entities shall not be less than (fourteenth grade) or its equivalent. The committee may seek assistance from any government or private sector entities it deems appropriate.

The Supervisory Committee shall undertake the following:

1- Approving the rules and procedures necessary for the operation of the program.

2- Approving the plans necessary to achieve the program's objectives, missions, and needs, and implementing them.

3- Approving the mechanisms for granting licenses for all exhibitions and conferences held in the Kingdom, overseeing them, and qualifying the companies and institutions organizing them.

4- Approving the mechanisms for granting licenses for the venues of exhibitions and conferences in coordination with the relevant authorities.

5- Determining the financial fees for the services provided by the program.

The government agencies continue to organize conferences and specialized seminars held in the Kingdom with external participation, in accordance with the regulatory controls issued by the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (81) dated 22/3/1431 AH.

The Ministry of Commerce continues to carry out the following:

1- Preparing for the Kingdom's participation in international exhibitions, organizing, and supervising them, while emphasizing that the participation of government agencies in international exhibitions and conferences related to their work is their responsibility, and they are the ones who obtain the necessary approvals and complete the procedures for organizing, preparing, and supervising them.

2- Representing the Kingdom in the International Exhibitions Bureau in Paris.

3- Issuing commercial registrations for companies and institutions organizing exhibitions and conferences, after obtaining preliminary approval from the program.

The Ministry of Culture continues to organize the Riyadh International Book Fair.

The program's resources consist of the financial compensation it receives for the work and services it provides, and its funds are deposited in its name in an account with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, and disbursements are made according to the rules and procedures approved by the supervisory committee.

All allocations of the Permanent Committee for Financial and Administrative Exhibitions and Conferences related to the exhibitions and conferences held in the Kingdom shall be transferred to the program.

The duration of the program shall be (five) years, and the supervisory committee shall prepare a report six (6) months before its conclusion regarding the results of its implementation, the difficulties encountered, and appropriate suggestions for addressing them. The report shall be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration and necessary action.