JEDDAH: Saudi food exports will become a major non-oil industry over the next five years, according to Prince Abdul Aziz bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz, who inaugurated the four-day 6th Foodex Saudi 2018 at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events on Monday.
During the opening of the largest Saudi international exhibition specializing in the food sector, the prince emphasized the importance of concerted efforts and international partnerships to achieve agricultural development and sustainable food security.
He said the participation of 52 countries represented by 500 international brands reflected the position that Saudi Arabia occupied economically. “It also shows the leading role played by the Kingdom in the Middle East as the largest and most attractive market for all investors,” he said.
The prince said the achievements of food and beverage industries in Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of the current year had reached 82 percent and total funding had increased by 217 percent, according to information issued by the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources. This also revealed that total Saudi exports in the food sector during the past year amounted to SR14 billion for 2017, and the sector ranked fourth in the list of major non-oil exporting industries.
Haya Al-Sunaidi, chairwoman and CEO of Reed Sunaidi Exhibition, organizer of the exhibition, told Arab News that the launch of Foodex Saudi had seen wide participation from international brands, including the latest products in fresh, chilled and frozen foods, dairy products, food services, canned goods, meat, poultry, snacks and sweets.
“This year, we have more exhibitors than those in the last edition or any previous edition of the exhibition. We have both public and private participants,” she said.
“The government has been encouraging farmers to produce organic products. Now we can see that we are producing olive oil, a thing that I had not imagined we could really have,” she said. She added that Saudi Arabia was now exporting dates, poultry and dairy products.
However, Al-Sunaidi said Saudi Arabia was still importing 80 percent of its total food consumption, which is why she believes imported brands will not affect homegrown food production.
Organic food products were noticeably present at the exhibition, proving that Saudis are reconsidering their eating habits. Al-Sunaidi said that Saudi investors and consumers are demanding more organic food products.
Al-Sunaidi said the exhibition, which is seeing European and Asian participation, offers business networking opportunities for industry professionals working in the food and beverage sector. She added that it is also showcasing new food products entering the Saudi market for the first time.
Al-Sunaidi said that leading local, regional and international companies trust the Saudi market. “Saudi Arabia has the largest food market in both the GCC countries and the Middle East. It is also one of the world’s strongest economic and consumer powers,” she said.
“Food and beverage imports are expected to increase up to SR135 billion in 2020 compared to the present rate of SR80 billion. In addition, fast-food market volume exceeds SR5 billion per year and retail sales have surged by 66 percent,” she said.
Meanwhile, general manager of a Kenyan tea company, Naveed Ariff, told Arab News that the Kenyan tea they are promoting at the exhibition is the finest tea in the world. “Unlike any other tea elsewhere, our tea production is always fresh throughout the year, the quality is incomparable and the price is reasonable,” he said.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was also present at the exhibition through its booth, which spread its awareness messages to visitors on the latest food security standards aimed at protecting consumers’ health.
The winners of nine awards for food industry innovators will be announced at the exhibition.
Thomas A. Gugler, the president of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, has announced receiving the nominations for best cold drink, best hot drink, best dairy product, best product in red meat and chicken, best product in the bakery and confectionery sector, best product in the spices and sauces sector, best frozen or cold food product, best organic food product and best healthy food product.
He said the selected candidates were highlighted to visitors, specialists and pioneers of the food industry, and they were assigned a place inside the suite dedicated to the competition at the exhibition.
In contrast, the world’s most famous chefs are competing at the “Salon Culinaire,” held under the auspices of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies and the Saudi Chefs’ Table, during which 200 chefs from the world’s most famous hotels and restaurants compete in 17 categories.
Foodex Saudi promotes Kingdom’s agriculture
Foodex Saudi promotes Kingdom’s agriculture
- The government has been encouraging farmers to produce organic products
- Organic food products were noticeably present at the exhibition, proving that Saudis are reconsidering their eating habits
Heroic effort by security personnel at the Grand Mosque saves man’s life
- Saudi interior minister thanks and praises security guard for his actions
- Suicide attempt at the Grand Mosque in Makkah foiled after guard intervenes to prevent fatal fall
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, on Friday reached out to the security guard injured at the Grand Mosque in Makkah while saving a man trying to commit suicide, and praised his bravery.
The heroic effort by the security guard on duty at the Masjid Al Haram saved the life of a man who attempted suicide by jumping from the top floor of the Grand Mosque.
A swift intervention by the security guard averted the fatal fall, the Saudi authorities said on Thursday.
In a post on X, the official account of the Emarah, Makkah Region, said: “The special force for the security of the Grand Mosque has promptly initiated proceedings in a case where a person jumped from an upper level of the Grand Mosque, and a security man was injured while attempting to prevent him from hitting the ground at the time of his fall.”
The interior minister personally contacted soldier Rayan bin Saeed bin Yahya Al-Ahmad to inquire about his recovery after he suffered injuries in the line of duty at the Grand Mosque.
Al-Ahmad sustained multiple injuries while trying to break the man’s fall and prevent him hitting the ground. Medical teams quickly reached the site and after preliminary check-ups rushed both men to hospital for treatment.
The minister commended Al-Ahmad’s bravery, commitment, and heightened awareness during the incident, qualities that demonstrate his dedication to his security mission.
The interior minister told the officer that his response exemplifies the high principles security forces uphold while serving the religion and the country.
The minister characterized the intervention as “far more than routine duty” — describing it as a selfless humanitarian act embodying supreme sacrifice and reflecting the exceptional preparedness and professional capability required to manage critical situations at Islam’s holiest site.
The minister highlighted the unwavering support and care security personnel receive from the Saudi leadership in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in safeguarding the Grand Mosque and the pilgrims.
This backing, he noted, provides essential encouragement for maintaining distinguished performance in security operations.
Prince Abdulaziz concluded the call by praying for the officer’s swift recovery and safe return to duty.
As social media filled with the heroic story, Saeed Al-Qahtani, a social media user, praised the life-saving attempt saying: “Is it a military vigilance or a human spirit inhabiting that uniform? Between one heartbeat and the next, and in the heart of reassurance, the security man rescues a desperate soul; transforming the disaster into a heroic rescue story and a smart reading of the features of breakdown before it’s too late. You are not a guardian of a place, you are a guardian of lives.”
