RIYADH: German Ambassador Dieter W. Haller said on Thursday that Germany supports the Kingdom in realizing its Vision 2030 by offering high-tech products and know-how.
The German envoy made the announcement as he addressed more than 150 representatives of companies, business chambers and government ministries during the German Breakfast and Catalog Show at a local hotel in the Saudi capital on Thursday.
The event has been held for 13 years and has a long tradition of helping establish bilateral trade relations, which amounted to almost €8 billion (SR32 billion) in 2016.
Oliver Oehms, of the German Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO), said, “This is the largest catalog show in many years, which demonstrates the importance of the business relations between our two great countries.”
Oehms said that German firms could offer high-tech products and know-how to add to the diversification of the economy and strengthen the role of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Haller said that Vision 2030 is a most ambitious blueprint for a modern and diversified economy that is not only resource-based, but also above all knowledge-based, adding that this makes Germany well-positioned to support Vision 2030 since it’s knowledge-based.
He also said that he had met with Ahmed Fahd Al-Fuhaid, governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in the field of vocational training.
“In visiting this country, I was so impressed by the competence and energy of the young generation. There’s enormous potential among them,” he said.
He also underscored the fact that it’s in Germany’s interest to keep its links with Saudi Arabia, citing sustainability aspect in energy efficiency.
Germany supports Saudi Arabia's economic plan: Envoy
Germany supports Saudi Arabia's economic plan: Envoy
‘Cake not hate’ campaign becomes ‘Dates not hate’ in Madinah
- Dan said he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality and that his family was warmly welcomed
- He said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam
LONDON: A British autistic and non-verbal boy who has been visiting UK mosques and distributing cakes to promote solidarity amid an increase in far-right support in the country has taken his message of love to Madinah.
Joshua Harris, or “The Joshie-Man” as the 12-year-old is known to his social media fans, has handed out hundreds of his baked goods to worshipers at mosques in major British cities over the last few months.
The “Cake not hate” campaign came about after an Islamophobic attack on a mosque in his home city of Peterborough in October 2025.
Harris and his father visited Masjid Darassalaam, the mosque that was targeted, with cakes that the boy had baked and distributed them to the congregation soon after the attack. Since then, Harris has visited dozens of mosques in the UK.
On a recent trip to the Middle East, he and his father visited Madinah. In a local twist that pays tribute to the holy city’s famous date varieties including ajwa and ambar, Harris handed out dates to people in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. The “Cake not hate” campaign became “Dates not hate” for Saudi Arabia.
“He was greeted really, really warmly. There were some really touching moments where people were kissing his hands and his head. It was really lovely,” his father, Dan Harris, said.
Dan, the founder of global charity Neurodiversity in Business, said being in Madinah exposed him to the true diversity of Islam.
“We met people from all around the world. It was amazing. It’s like the United Nations there, you get people from different countries and it just goes to show you that the Muslim community, or the Ummah more generally, is not a homogeneous group,” he said.
“We saw people from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and it was really interesting for us.”
Dan said his visit to Madinah, considered the second holiest city in Islam after Makkah for Muslims, was “profound and life-changing.”
He added: “I would say it’s my favourite city in the world due to the peace and tranquillity I felt there.”
Dan added that he was very impressed by Saudi hospitality: “Everywhere we went, people were taking down my number and insisting that we come for dinner, insisting they pick us up from the location. They were extremely attentive to Joshie as well, making sure his needs were met. We felt a great sense of welcome, something Saudi Arabia is known for.”
