Saudi Cultural Fund Spotlights Creative Economy at Expo 2025 Osaka
Saudi Arabia's Cultural Development Fund (CDF) hosted a networking event at Expo 2025 Osaka, offering an inside look at how the Kingdom's growing cultural economy is gaining global momentum.
Held at the Saudi Pavilion, the event—titled 'Cultural Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Fostering Innovation and Heritage'—brought together cultural leaders, entrepreneurs, and international investors to discuss the intersection of heritage, innovation, and economic growth.
The panel was moderated by cultural researcher and podcast host Saba Alkhamis, and featured CDF's Chief Credit & Investment Officer Basil Al Alola, Darren Barker of cultural consultancy Barker Langham, and Hessa Alajaji, founder of Saudi design brand Accents. Together, they explored the rise of creative entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, and the role of cultural funding in enabling sustainable growth across sectors.
Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr joined the event, highlighting ongoing efforts to build cultural bridges between Saudi Arabia and Japan. The evening also included a musical performance by Japanese violinist and composer Ikuko Kawai.
The event coincided with Saudi Arabia's 2025 Year of Handicrafts initiative, and included a showcase of artisan-made works developed through CDF-supported collaborations. Guests were invited to engage with pieces that reflect the depth of Saudi Arabia's artistic heritage—part of the broader push to centre culture as a pillar of the country's economic diversification.
CDF's presence at Expo 2025 Osaka includes a range of activations highlighting investment opportunities across the Kingdom's cultural industries. From panel discussions to tailored financing initiatives, the Fund aims to connect with global partners and spotlight success stories across all 16 officially recognised cultural sectors.
Founded in 2021 under the Saudi National Development Fund, the Cultural Development Fund works to enable a self-sustaining creative economy in line with Vision 2030 and the National Culture Strategy.
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