Saudi coffee is ‘world’s finest’ says vice minister of environment

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With Saudi officials in attendance, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti opened the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan. (SPA)
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With Saudi officials in attendance, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti opened the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan. (SPA)
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With Saudi officials in attendance, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti opened the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan. (SPA)
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With Saudi officials in attendance, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti opened the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan. (SPA)
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Updated 16 February 2024
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Saudi coffee is ‘world’s finest’ says vice minister of environment

  • More than 3,000 people in the coffee sector were eligible to benefit from that support, according to the vice minister

RIYADH: Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, vice minister of environment, water, and agriculture, said during the opening ceremony of the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan on Friday that Saudi coffee had experienced a “significant improvement” in quality over the last decade.

Al-Mushaiti claimed that Saudi coffee was now classified as “the world’s finest.”




With Saudi officials in attendance, Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti opened the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition 2024 in Jazan. (SPA)

The vice minister said that the exhibition — which includes training courses for coffee farmers, workshops, and “meetings that combine culture and art” — will help farmers and coffee enthusiasts in the southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia achieve their aspirations.

According to Al-Mushaiti, there are 2,185 coffee farms in the Kingdom’s southwestern sector, where a total of approximately 391,160 seedlings have been planted. He added that more than 1,100 farmers have benefited from government initiatives in Jazan, with approximately 219,160 seedlings planted on their farms.




Jazan produces more than 1,000 tons of coffee per year from 2,000 coffee farms. (SPA)

Up to the end of 2023, he continued, the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Program “Rural Saudi Arabia,” had provided business support worth more than SR155 million ($41.33 million). More than 3,000 people in the coffee sector were eligible to benefit from that support, according to the vice minister.

Al-Mushaiti also said that the ministry is working with the private sector to implement a number of new projects. He noted that up to the end of 2022, the Agricultural Development Fund had provided around SR1.9 billion to projects in the Jazan region, leading to 79 investment opportunities in the livestock, plant, and fisheries sectors, as well as coffee-cultivation projects.

 


Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

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Diriyah in 2025 — A year of exceptional achievement

  • Jerry Inzerillo: In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution
  • Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions

JEDDAH: Under the theme “Vision to Reality,” Diriyah has moved beyond aspiration in 2025, translating long-held plans into a tangible, lived experience, according to Jerry Inzerillo, group chief executive officer of Diriyah Co.

Throughout the year, Diriyah Company, the Saudi Public Investment Fund entity developing the Diriyah giga-project, advanced from planning and preparation into delivery. Contracts and agreements exceeding SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) marked a pivotal transition from the establishment phase to early operations. 

Inzerillo told Arab News: “At Diriyah, progress is measured by what is delivered on the ground against the plans we set. In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. 

“Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the Kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future.”

In 2025, Diriyah Co. signed eight major contracts, alongside 16 agreements, reinforcing delivery momentum across multiple development streams. International recognition also continued to grow, with Diriyah earning prestigious global awards and securing positions in influential international rankings, Inzerillo said.

Infrastructure development played a central role in shaping the visitor experience. New road networks were delivered to ensure smooth connectivity between historic districts and contemporary developments.

The company also inaugurated two high-capacity electricity transmission substations, securing the power required to support residents, visitors and a growing portfolio of residential, hospitality, educational and cultural assets. 

Collaboration with Majid Al-Futtaim Group introduced a portfolio of global brands, positioning Diriyah Square as a distinctive shopping and entertainment destination, Inzerillo said. At the same time, Diriyah’s partnerships with the Saudi Contractors Authority and the Saudi Tennis Federation embedded sports, events and professional initiatives into the fabric of urban life. 

Diriyah’s vision extended into the future of mobility and design, Inzerillo said. Partnerships with The Helicopter Co. and Kakao Mobility advanced smart aerial and ground transportation solutions, designed to make movement across the city faster, more efficient and integrated.

Diriyah Company, in collaboration with Pantone, unveiled “Diriyah Tan,” a custom color inspired by the city’s historic mud architecture. More than a visual signature, the color captures Diriyah’s identity, bridging its origins with its contemporary expression.

Diriyah’s excellence was also recognized at the highest international level, Inzerillo said. In 2025, TIME magazine named Diriyah Company among the World’s 100 Most Influential Companies, acknowledging the project’s cultural, economic and urban impact.