The Ministry of Culture and Youth announced that its recently launched 'Create Theatre' initiative, has received 21 applications from 13 local theatre groups. The applications will benefit from the grants within the categories namely 'Local Theatre Tours', 'Enhancing Capabilities and Skills' and 'Foreign Theatrical Performances' at the Arab and regional level. In her statement, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: "We were keen for the initiative keep pace with the aspirations of local playwrights and enhance their creativity. We are also looking into the needs of workers in this sector and providing them with a supportive environment that guarantees the continuity of creative work." "These initiatives help us achieve our vision of supporting local theatre productions and promoting them on the local and regional levels," Her Excellency added. Her Excellency continued: "Theatre is an essential pillar of the cultural and creative industries, and it needs holistic development. The requests received through the initiative show the level of interest of various parties working in this sector to benefit from the incentive schemes. We shall continue to support and develop theatrical work and raise its level in order to serve creatives and spread Emirati creativity locally and internationally."