MADINAH: The governor of Madinah region on Thursday inaugurated the city’s new Central Dates Market and opened the “That Nakhl” luxury date forum, highlighting the sector’s growing importance to the nation’s economy.

Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who also chairs the Madinah Region Development Authority, said the palm and date sector was “one of the strategic pillars of the national economy,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The new market, located within the Food City project, covers more than 37,000 sq. meters in its first phase. It aims to provide a modern platform for farmers and producers, improve marketing opportunities and align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, the report said.

Food City spans 1 million sq. meters and will eventually include markets for vegetables, fruit, meat and poultry. Work on the second phase of the date market is already underway.

The governor also toured the “Dhat Nakhl: History and Civilization” exhibition, which showcases Madinah’s heritage through photographs, inscriptions and interactive displays.

At the forum, Prince Salman honored the winners of the “Tamrathon” hackathon, which encourages entrepreneurs to develop tech solutions for the date sector. He also oversaw the signing of several public-private partnerships, including agreements to expand Food City’s facilities and improve operations at the new market.

A deal was also signed between Germany’s Food App and Khairat Takaful Industry to buy dates from farms run by the Takaful Charity Association, which supports care programs for orphans.