Riyadh:Following the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud made cultural and intellectual development a key aspect of nation-building. Recognizing the limitations of traditional kuttabs and elementary schools, he sought to create a comprehensive educational and cultural infrastructure to promote national identity and support scientific and intellectual progress.

According to Saudi Press Agency, King Abdulaziz financed the printing and distribution of hundreds of historical, literary, and religious texts to spread knowledge and preserve Arab and Islamic heritage. Between 1917 and 1954, he funded the printing of more than 100 titles, totaling approximately 100,000 copies, across the Kingdom, Egypt, India, and the Levant. Some works were also printed in languages such as Urdu and Javanese.

Under King Abdulaziz's patronage, the domestic printing industry flourished. He established the Umm Al-Qura press to distribute books freely to students and started the Umm Al-Qura newspaper as the Kingdom's official gazette, followed by other cultural publications. The government printing press in Makkah was upgraded and expanded by acquiring smaller private presses, and personnel were sent to Egypt for technical training. New presses were established throughout the Kingdom, including in Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.

To further organize and stimulate the printing industry, King Abdulaziz enacted the Kingdom's first two publication regulations in 1928 and 1939. He also exempted all paper and machinery imported for presses in key cities like Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah from customs duties.

These foundational efforts by King Abdulaziz laid the groundwork for Saudi Arabia's enduring cultural and intellectual development, establishing a robust knowledge-based infrastructure.