Category: General

Riyadh– Saudi dates exports increased during the 1st quarter of 2022 by 4.8%, reaching more than 552 million riyals, compared to the same period in 2021. According to a report by The General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia exported dates during the last five years to more than 113 countries, achieving an annual growth rate of 13%. Furthermore, the value of date exports has increased by 110% since 2016.

Through strict enforcement of Saudi date standards and the criteria required for exporting in the target countries, the National Center for Palms and Dates is working to assure the quality of Saudi dates. It also works hard to make it easier for the industry key players to expand their export activities to emerge Saudi dates to new markets. Furthermore, the National Center is also keen on participating in international exhibitions and events with Saudi Dates exporter, as it participated in more than 30 international exhibitions, to market the Saudi date and its products.

It’s noteworthy that The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in terms of the value of date exports in 2021. This success is the result of concerted efforts and cooperation between all relevant parties, ministries, authorities, manufacturers, and producers of dates to increase the Kingdom’s non-oil exports and fulfill Vision 2030.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– The Heritage Commission today signed a cooperation agreement with noon, an online shopping destination in the region, to work with noon’s Mahali program, which has been designed to support and empower the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s local SMEs. A signing ceremony to celebrate the partnership, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters, was attended by Heritage Commission CEODr. Jasir Suleiman Alherbish and General Manager, noon KSA, Ahmed Abdel Qader Gadouri.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Heritage Commission and noon seek to enable Saudi artisans to sell craft products and cultural heritage content online, securing reach to a wider audience via the Mahali program. The program aims to assist local entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses, including those in the Saudi crafts sector, in order to improve the quality of craft products and their ability to compete in the local market.

Dr. Alherbish thanked Noon for its cooperation, remarking on the significant benefits gained through the agreement, which aligns with the Commission’s efforts in partnership with the public and private sectors to support crafts workers and artisans across the Kingdom by facilitating access to and promoting their products. He further noted the multiple initiatives being undertaken by the Commission to develop the handicraft sector, including training programs to raise quality standards, and securing an audience for products through local and international outlets, exhibitions, events, and festivals.

Gadouri said: “Our collaboration with the Heritage Commission demonstrates our ongoing commitment to assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Mahali program helps local talent grow their businesses by providing them with the tools and services they need to reach a larger segment of customers in the region.”

The noon Mahali program embodies the company’s commitment to empowering local talent, which was one of the company’s founding goals, as well as building a strong e-commerce platform that supports all entrepreneurs and SMBs, thereby contributing to the national economy’s development.

The agreement falls within the wider efforts of the Heritage Commission to develop and advance the sector, support and motivate its practitioners, and strengthen partnerships with the public and private sectors as part of the development of the Kingdom’s cultural sector in general and heritage fields in particular.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– A delegation from the United States of America, headed by Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, was briefed on the programs and activities implemented by King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue on Tuesday, Dhu al-Qa’dah 29, 1443 AH corresponding to June 28, 2022.

The delegation, which was received by Secretary General of the Center Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Fawzan and a number of the Center’s leaders, listened to a brief presentation of the Center’s efforts in tolerance through its various activities, indicator, programs, and meetings. The delegation was also briefed on the results of the first index of tolerance of its kind in the region, carried out by the Center, which showed scientific standards that Saudi society is tolerant of different cultures and civilizations.

The Secretary General welcomed the delegation at the beginning of the meeting, stressing the importance of activating communication and dialogue with the other to build bridges of understanding with different cultures as part of the efforts made by the Kingdom by the Saudi Vision 2030 in the field of supporting tolerance and promoting peaceful coexistence with various peoples based on the principle of moderate Islam.

He added that the society in the Kingdom is coexisting and accepting of the other like other societies, as evidenced by the presence of a large number of expatriates working in the Kingdom, pointing out that the values of tolerance, coexistence, and unity are not new to Saudi society.

Moreover, he indicated that since its inception, the Center showed great importance in promoting the values ??of citizenship among all spectrums of society by making it a mainstay in its dialogues, as the Center harnessed its various and varied programs and projects to promote these values.

At the end of the visit, the delegation toured the Center’s Interactive Dialogue Exhibition to learn about the Kingdom’s efforts to support dialogue between different cultures and civilizations and the local projects it offers to strengthen the social fabric, as well as regional and global projects to build and enhance cultural diversity and human commonalities.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Makkah– The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, is working to secure alternative flights and additional seats for pilgrims wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia from Britain, the United States of America and European countries. It is also ensuring the immediate issuance of visas to enter the Kingdom.

The ministry is in regular contact with those affected by the limited seating capacity and the technical difficulties experienced by pilgrims using the electronic portal. This urgent package of solutions aims to solve all challenges facing pilgrims, to ensure that every pilgrim who has been chosen for this year 1443AH, has the opportunity to perform the Hajj and visit the holy sites.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah welcomes pilgrims who have completed their procedures through the electronic portal, as well as those who have arrived in the Kingdom. The ministry assures that all entities working to serve pilgrims shall at all times follow up the conditions of pilgrims in the Kingdom and abroad, to ensure their arrival is facilitated before performing the rituals, and to provide care services for all pilgrims during the 1443 AH season.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulation to President Evariste Ndayishimiye of the Republic of Burundi on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.

In his cable, HRH the Crown Prince wished the President constant good health and happiness and the government and people of the Republic of Burundi steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulation to President Evariste Ndayishimiye of the Republic of Burundi on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished the President constant good health and happiness and the government and people of the Republic of Burundi steady progress and prosperity.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulation to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.

In his cable, HRH the Crown Prince wished the President constant good health and happiness and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia further security and stability.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulation to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished the President constant good health and happiness and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia security and stability.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

N’Djamena– The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) handed over today the gift of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Chad, which included 100 tons of dates, delivered by the Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri, in the presence of the Minister of Women, Family and Child Protection Amina Prisel Lungu, and the Minister of Public Health and National Solidarity Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Rahim, and a team from the KSrelief.

This comes within the humanitarian and relief programs provided by Saudi Arabia to a number of brotherly and friendly countries to reach the most needy families in various parts of the world.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al Hajraf stressed the importance of enhancing prospects for joint cooperation between the Cooperation Council and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, to serve common interests.

These remarks were made today during his meeting with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia Dr. Muhammad Javed Patwaryat the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the officials discussed all issues and topics of common interest, developments on the regional and international arenas, and developments in the region. The bilateral cooperation relations to achieve common interests were also reviewed.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh– The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Public Security Spokesperson Brigadier General Sami bin Muhammad Al-Shuwairekh stated that anyone who will be caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will be fined SAR 10,000, adding that this comes in implementation of Hajj instructions that require those wishing to perform Hajj to obtain a permit from the competent authorities.

He called on all citizens and residents to abide by Hajj instructions, stressing that the security personnel will perform their duties in all roads and routes leading to the Grand Holy Mosque and the holy sites to prevent any violation.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Jeddah– Saudi Arabia’s digital regulator, the Communications & Information Technology Commission (CITC), has announced that communications and ICT infrastructure in Makkah and Medina are fully operational and running to the highest standards ahead of this year’s Hajj and Umrah.

With a million worshippers expected to make the pilgrimage this year, the Commission has done everything to ensure that digital infrastructure in and around Makkah and Medina are ready to connect pilgrims with millions of loved ones around the world.

CITC has ensured the smooth functioning of more than 5,900 towers and more than 11,000 Wifi access points in the Two Holy Cities. It has also overseen a 41% increase in 5G towers to reach more than 2,600 5G towers.

“The Kingdom’s infrastructure readiness will not only help smooth the passage of fulfilling a lifelong dream,” said Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, “it will significantly enhance their digital experience.”

With some of the fastest mobile download speeds on the planet (203 Mbit/s in Makkah and 223 Mbit/s in Madinah), this year’s pilgrims will have an unprecedented experience.

The first overseas worshippers to make the Hajj since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s worshippers will benefit from the fastest connections the Two Holy Sites have ever had.

“With worshippers traveling to Saudi Arabia from every part of the planet, we are ensuring that this year’s pilgrims have the most innovative and interactive Hajj experience in history,” Governor Al-Tamimi said. “That’s why the ability to seamlessly communicate this life-changing experience is so important.”

Source: Saudi Press Agency