World’s largest wheat importer Egypt achieves 62% self-sufficiency: minister

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Updated 21 February 2022
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World’s largest wheat importer Egypt achieves 62% self-sufficiency: minister

RIYADH: Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, has achieved 62 percent self-sufficiency in the grain this season, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

The country cultivates 3.7 million acres with wheat, producing 9.5 to 10 million tons, Mohamed El Quseir told Asharq during Expo 2020 Dubai.

El Qusier noted that this area is the largest ever set aside for the grain in Egypt’s history.

The wheat planting season starts from mid-November until the end of January, while the harvest season starts from mid-April until mid-July, according to Asharq.

Amid efforts to reduce reliance on imports, especially of wheat and corn, Egypt plans to expand its agricultural area, which stands at 9.7 million feddans, the minister noted.

"We aim to increase the agricultural area by about 3 to 3.6 million acres, through horizontal expansion projects, such as the new delta, Toshka, and the development of North and Central Sinai,” he said.

Most recently, Egypt said it will launch a new tender to import wheat next week as it prepares for possible grain market disturbance in the light of rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. 

 


Global investors commit more than $3bn to King Salman Park as Saudi giga-project secures new deals

Updated 10 March 2026
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Global investors commit more than $3bn to King Salman Park as Saudi giga-project secures new deals

RIYADH: The King Salman Park Foundation has secured more than $3.8 billion in new private-sector commitments at the MIPIM 2026 real estate conference, including a landmark $3 billion fund backed by international investors to develop a major mixed-use district in the heart of Riyadh.

According to a press release, the announcements bring total committed investment in the 17.2 sq. kilometers urban regeneration project to over $5.3 billion across five major packages.

Launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, the development is designed to be the world’s largest city park and aims to boost green space, improve quality of life, and feature over 1 million trees and extensive leisure facilities.

A $3 billion metro-connected district

The largest of the two packages, designated Package 5, will see a consortium led by Kolaghassi Development Co. deliver a residential-led district with a total built-up area exceeding 1 million sq. meters. 

It will provide approximately 3,700 residential units, a K–12 school, around 300 hospitality keys and more than 100,000 sq m of Grade A office space alongside a wide variety of retail and dining offerings.

The development is supported by a Saudi-domiciled, Capital Market Authority-regulated fund managed by Mulkia Investment Co. that has attracted leading investors from the Kingdom and across the world.

Kolaghassi Development Co. will lead the project alongside Al Othaim Investment, one of the Kingdom’s real estate players, and RXR, a New York-headquartered real estate investor and operator.

“Securing investment of this scale, supported by international capital and expertise, is an important milestone for King Salman Park,” said George Tanasijevich, CEO of King Salman Park Foundation. 

$850 million cultural district package

In a separate announcement, the Foundation confirmed the award of Package 4 to a consortium led by Retal Urban Development Co., with support from a fund managed by SAB Invest.

The project has a total value exceeding $850 million and will host more than 600 residential units, over 140 hotel keys, and almost 50,000 sq m of Grade A office space, alongside curated retail and food and beverage experiences.

“This opportunity reflects the maturity of Saudi Arabia’s real estate investment landscape and our confidence in culture-led, mixed-use urban destinations as a driver of sustainable returns,” said Abdullah Al-Braikan, CEO and founder of Retal Urban Development Co.

Ali Al-Mansour, CEO of SAB Invest, said the fund structure brings together “long-term capital, experienced development partners, and a shared commitment to place-making excellence” while contributing to Riyadh’s cultural vibrancy and the Kingdom’s quality-of-life ambitions under Vision 2030.