RIYADH: The wives of several ambassadors to the Kingdom have hailed the “Producers-4” exhibition as a genuine annual opportunity for Saudi families to market their products.
The diplomats’ wives said that the exhibition, organized by the Riyadh Center for Development of Small- and Medium-size Enterprises at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, showcases handmade works executed in a modern, creative fashion and encourages small enterprises.
Omayma Al-Busaidi, wife of the Omani ambassador, commended the efforts of the organizers of “Producers-4,” saying that she eagerly awaits the exhibition every year.
This is her third annual visit to the exhibition, Al-Busaidi said, adding that every year she sees new ideas, products and marketing methods.
“Producers-4 helps encourage talented and creative Saudi women and gives them the opportunity to showcase and market their products in one organized place, making it easier for buyers to purchase all what they need,” she added.
Nafisah Ahmed, president of the Arab group of wives of representatives of diplomatic missions in Riyadh, expressed admiration for the exhibition, stressing that Saudi women display distinguished works and products of perfect quality, and use original marketing methods.
“The exhibition supports Saudi families, provides them with a guaranteed source of income, contributes to boosting the country’s economy and introduces the participants to senior investors, opening future prospects for them in the labor market,” she said.
The wife of the Palestinian ambassador, Nagwa Al-Agha, said she liked most the various handicrafts representing different regions of the Kingdom, and stressed that marketing is one of the goals productive families often seek.
She added that the ultimate benefit of the exhibition is that it generates income for these families, and that modern means of social communication help in marketing the products.
The wife of the Tunisian ambassador, Sumaiya Baatour, praised the skill of Saudi women involved in the maintenance of mobile phones and smart devices, and pointed out that paying attention to productive families’ projects contributes to the development of their capabilities, and provides them with income through personal training that hones their skills.
Homemade products of Saudi women impress ambassadors’ wives
Homemade products of Saudi women impress ambassadors’ wives
Japan consulate in Jeddah celebrates emperor’s birthday, highlights strong cultural and economic ties
- In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations
JEDDAH: The consulate general of Japan in Saudi Arabia celebrated the upcoming birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito with a reception at the residence of the consul general Daisuke Yamamoto in Jeddah on Thursday night.
The event was attended by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah; Farid bin Saad Al-Shehri, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Makkah Region; Saleh Ali Al-Turki, mayor of Jeddah; and other Saudi officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the local community.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Yamamoto highlighted the growing cultural exchange between the two nations.
“The relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia is particularly strong in the cultural field. Saudi people are very fond of Japanese pop culture, especially anime and manga, and many are motivated to learn Japanese just to enjoy the original works,” he said.
Yamamoto noted that while enthusiasm is high, challenges remain in expanding language education. “Currently, we don’t have a dedicated Japanese language institute in Jeddah. Some institutes exist in Riyadh, but here people mostly study Japanese on their own, which is difficult without interacting with native speakers. Establishing a permanent institute is one of our goals, but we cannot do it alone; we need Saudi partners,” he explained.
During his speech at the reception, Yamamoto said: “Japan is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached $36 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting a 50-percent increase since 2016. Many Japanese companies are investing directly in the Kingdom, across sectors such as petrochemicals, energy, automobiles, electronics, and titanium production.” He also encouraged Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Japan’s market.
He also highlighted recent initiatives designed to strengthen cultural ties, including the three-day Hayy Matsuri Japanese cultural festival at Hayy Jameel, which welcomed more than 12,000 visitors, and a two-day Kabuki performance organized in partnership with the Historic Jeddah Project and teamLab. “These cultural exchanges offer a chance for Saudis to experience Japan firsthand, from traditional arts to contemporary innovations,” he said.
Yamamoto welcomed the Kingdom’s participation in upcoming international events in Japan, including the 2026 Asian and Paralympic Games in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, as well as the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama.
The evening concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting alongside a showcase of Japanese cuisine.
Reflecting on the broader Japan–Saudi relationship, Yamamoto praised the enduring friendship between the two nations.
“Our countries share a history of partnership that spans generations. Celebrations like today not only honor the emperor’s birthday, but also reinforce the enduring collaboration and mutual respect between our peoples,” he said.
He expressed hope for continued growth in cultural, educational, and economic collaboration, emphasizing the strong foundations laid under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
