Saudi Arabia will host a handicraft festival featuring Korean craftsmen’s works by the end of the year, the governments of Saudi Arabia and Korea announced Monday.

The exhibition is hoped to boost Korea’s image as a center of art, to augment its economic and industrial reputation.

At an agreement signing ceremony between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities held at the ministry office on Monday, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Saud, the head of the delegation, proposed to Korean Culture Minister Yoo Jin-ryong to hold an art festival highlighting handicrafts of Korean masters in Saudi Arabia within the year. 

The offer came after Al-saud learned that about 50 pieces of craftworks were featured during the “Salone Internazionale del Mobile” in Milan in April.

“Our government has just launched a project to boost the handicraft sector and it is very natural for me to come up with Korea. When I was here the last time (2011) I had the chance to walk around the city and buy some handcraft items and was amused ... Saudi Arabia needs to take its handicraft sector to a new level and Korea fits the condition,” the head of the Saudi delegation told the press after the signing.

He also expressed a wish to boost tourism by attracting more Koreans.

“Korea and Saudi Arabia have walked similar steps in development and share understanding in creative economy. There are many Korean companies and workers in Saudi Arabia and anyone of those willing to come and visit them and feel Saudi Arabia is welcome,” Al-Saud added.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)