“We hope the increase in the dates trade will create more jobs for women,” the princess said, adding that many Saudi families in Qassim are working in the industry, either individually or as company employees.

“We intend to develop this industry and help Saudi women to do their work in a more professional manner,” Princess Noura said during a visit to the Buraidah Dates Festival on Tuesday.

She said Harfa has been providing training to women in packing and wrapping dates as well as in other industries to make them productive members of society.

“I would say women are experts in the field of packing and wrapping dates as they have been doing this job for quite a long time,” she explained.

Princess Noura said the festival, the largest of its kind in the world, was a big success and commended the organizers for their good work.

“It opened new horizons for the dates trade in the Kingdom,” the princess said. “The festival was instrumental in enhancing Qassim’s reputation and strengthening its economy,” she added.

Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, deputy governor of Qassim, inaugurated the festival, featuring more than 200,000 tons of dates worth SR2.5 billion.

The market covers an area of 300,000 sq. meters that can accommodate more than 2,000 trucks. An average of 1,500 trucks carrying 160 tons of dates come to the market every day.

On some days, 2,400 trucks carrying dates have entered the market.

Farmers and traders have so far made more than SR800 million from the sales of various types of dates.