France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations

Special France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations
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French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ludovic Pouille. (AN Photo/Meshal Al-Qadeer)
Special France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations
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Director of Business France Invest Cecile Tardieu. (AN Photo/Meshal Al-Qadeer)
Special France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations
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Director General of the French Institute of Horse and Riding Jean Roch Gaillet. (AN Photo/Meshal Al-Qadeer)
Special France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations
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The French Equestrian Day takes place in Riyadh from December 12 to 14. (AN Photo/Meshal Al-Qadeer)
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Updated 14 December 2022

France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations

France holds equestrian day to boost economy, Saudi relations
  • French seek partners for its $2.6bn equine industry
  • Over 10 firms, several sports bodies participated

RIYADH: Business France, the agency supporting economic development initiatives, held a special equestrian event here to seek partners in Saudi Arabia for its equine industry.

The “French Equestrian Day” in Riyadh from Dec. 12 to 14 saw the participation of several of the European nation’s firms and government entities, including over 10 equestrian companies and those in charge of megaprojects.

Organized for the first time in the Kingdom, the event was inaugurated by the French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ludovic Pouille. It was held in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 to promote healthy and active lifestyles.

On the first day, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Equestrian Federation, the Sports Boulevard Foundation and the Equine Hospital in Riyadh presented their strategic objectives.

The director of the Jockey Club, Salem bin Mahfouz, explained how international standards should be adopted and applied in horse racing management. In comments to Arab News en Franҫais, and welcoming the experts, he said France had “expressed its wish to be part of this project.”

Cecile Tardieu, director of Business France Invest, underlined the importance of the mission of the agency, which was to increase exports and attract investments.

Tardieu said France has an established equestrian industry, and has since January 2019 entrusted private partners with supporting small- and medium-sized equestrian businesses worldwide.

Tardieu told Arab News en Franҫais that this partnership project was decided a year ago during the Dubai World Expo. She recognized the potential of the Saudi market and the interest shown by the Kingdom’s authorities to develop sport, including the equestrian industry.

Jean Roch Gaillet, director general of the French Institute of Horse and Riding, said the industry was worth EUR2.5 billion ($2.6 billion) in 2022, providing 22,287 fulltime jobs, and 24.5 percent of total exports.

Among the entities that participated included Pole Hippolia, the only state-certified competitiveness cluster dedicated to the equine sector. Based in Normandy, it brings together a network of more than 210 members throughout France, including business creators, startups, small and medium businesses, research teams, training establishments and institutions.

Other companies present included Antares Sellier, European Horse Services, Equ’Institut, Equi-rider, Equiways, Fornells, Franquet, Gregori International and Labeo, who came specially to Riyadh to showcase their skills in the field.

Arab News en Franҫais also spoke with Ismail Himdi, exclusive representative of Gregori International, which specializes in the development of training grounds and outdoor stadiums. Himdi said “the Saudi market presents a lot of opportunities.”


Filipino engineers help fellow expats climb career ladder in Saudi Arabia

Filipino engineers help fellow expats climb career ladder in Saudi Arabia
Updated 17 sec ago

Filipino engineers help fellow expats climb career ladder in Saudi Arabia

Filipino engineers help fellow expats climb career ladder in Saudi Arabia
  • Philippine Council of Engineers and Architects has helped 40k Pinoy professionals

MANILA: Mario Balboa had initially planned to return to the Philippines after a year, but his stay in Saudi Arabia has now spanned almost two decades, motivated by his successes and a desire to help other Filipino expats on their career paths.

An electronics and communications engineer, Balboa left his hometown in San Fernando, La Union province and moved to Riyadh in 2004 to work as a business consultant and analyst at Saudi Telecom Co.

Now a senior manager for product development, he enjoyed steady career progression over the years but at some point, saw that many Filipino engineers living and working in the Kingdom lagged behind.

Although they had all the necessary skills, many lacked the proper licenses, certifications, and credentials.

“In any development project here, you will always find a Filipino ... The only problem is that some lack the necessary papers to show that they are certified,” Balboa told Arab News. “If there’s a position where you are capable but not qualified because you don’t have the certification, it’s a lost opportunity.”

The situation prompted him to establish the Philippine Council of Engineers and Architects in the Kingdom in October 2013.

In January 2014, the PCEA signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Council of Engineers to exchange expertise and help qualify Philippine professionals in engineering and architectural practice.

A few months later, Balboa also took on board the Philippine government agencies — the Professional Regulation Commission and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority — which inked deals with the SCE for the professional development of Filipino engineers, architects, and technicians.

“The PCEA’s main goal is inclusive progression of Filipino professionals, especially engineers, architects, and technicians, upgrading their respective credentials and qualifications,” Balboa said.

HIGHLIGHT

Council’s role becoming increasingly valuable as Kingdom undertakes Vision 2030 megaprojects.

“It helped in making Filipinos, especially the engineers and architects, recognized in terms of professionalism and qualification level.”

Over the past decade, nearly 40,000 Filipino professionals working in Saudi Arabia have, thanks to the PCEA, received training, improved their skills, and obtained official certificates to validate their qualifications.

The efforts have been recognized both in Saudi Arabia and in the Philippines, where last year Balboa received the Presidential Banaag Award, which recognizes individuals advancing the cause of Filipinos overseas.

The PCEA helps connect Filipinos directly with Saudi authorities to evaluate their qualifications.

Leandro Conti, chairman of the PRC’s board of mechanical engineering, told Arab News: “Then they will give you a certificate on the equivalency based on their (Saudi) standards ... which is good for Filipinos so they can be at par with the locals based on their qualifications.”

The certification is becoming increasingly valuable as Saudi Arabia continues to undertake megaprojects as part of its Vision 2030 reform plan.

“Once the projects will be in full swing ... definitely they’ll need Filipinos,” Conti said. “Some of my friends from Dubai and Abu Dhabi came back to Saudi Arabia because of the opportunities.”

Leo Argoso, an engineer who for the past five years has been working for a Saudi company specializing in medical equipment and instruments, was one of those who obtained a good job thanks to the PCEA.

“It was them (the PCEA) who bridged my qualification in order for me to become an SCE member so that I will be able to work my craft here in Saudi Arabia, to be able to take on a position that is equivalent to my level of qualification,” Argoso said.

He knows many other Filipino professionals whose chances on the career ladder got similarly boosted.

“With the help of the PCEA, they were able to fill up what is lacking in their credentials and after some time get recognized by the SCE,” he added.

“Once you are recognized by the SCE, you will be given an ID, proof that you are a legitimate professional and qualified to take on perhaps a higher position than you are currently holding.”


World Food Program praises Saudi Arabia for its invaluable support

Corinne Fleischer. (Supplied)
Corinne Fleischer. (Supplied)
Updated 24 March 2023

World Food Program praises Saudi Arabia for its invaluable support

Corinne Fleischer. (Supplied)
  • Regional director of UN body visits Riyadh to give update on humanitarian efforts
  • Saudi Arabia was WFP’s fifth-biggest donor in 2018, 2019

RIYADH: A senior official with the UN World Food Program has praised Saudi Arabia for its invaluable support in fighting poverty and food insecurity across the region and beyond.

Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, told Arab News that the relationship between the Kingdom and the WFP dated back more than 45 years and that contributions made through the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid had helped to save lives in Yemen, Syria and elsewhere.

In 2008, the Kingdom announced a $500 million grant to the WFP which had enabled it “to complete its relief projects and provide food to millions of people affected by high prices,” she said.

Fleischer said Saudi Arabia was the fifth-largest donor to the WFP in 2018 and 2019. (Supplied)

“In 2014, Saudi Arabia contributed more than $200 million to provide food for displaced families in Iraq, Syrian refugees in various countries, as well as refugees from South Sudan and Somalia. WFP’s food assistance and continued support from donors kept famine at bay for years. Very recently, they helped eradicate famine-like conditions for an estimated 161,000 people in Yemen.”

Fleischer said that the Kingdom was the WFP’s fifth-largest donor in both 2018 and 2019.

HIGHLIGHT

With global food prices at an all-time high, the UN agency is concerned about the impact of the Ukraine crisis on food security around the world, official said.

“We are working closely with KSrelief to continuously improve our collaboration and strengthen partnership. We rely on the Kingdom’s support to help WFP achieve its mission not only in the region but beyond. Our partnership is built on jointly addressing some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges with a methodical approach that supports WFP’s agenda while also reflecting the Kingdom’s priorities in this space,” she added.

With global food prices at an all-time high, the UN agency was concerned about the impact of the Ukraine crisis on food security around the world, Fleischer said.

Fleischer said Saudi Arabia was the fifth-largest donor to the WFP in 2018 and 2019. (Supplied)

“The consequences of the conflict in Ukraine are radiating outward, triggering a wave of collateral hunger that is spreading across the globe.”

Ukraine and Russia are responsible for a combined 29 percent of the global wheat trade.

Fleischer said that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen was one of the worst in the world and that more than half its population was now facing food insecurity. Skyrocketing prices had pushed the number of people there in need of food assistance to 17.4 million and the situation was set to get worse, she added.

Yemen depends almost entirely on food imports, with 31 percent of its wheat shipments coming from Ukraine over the past three months.

Fleischer said Saudi Arabia was the fifth-largest donor to the WFP in 2018 and 2019. (Supplied)

Egypt, which is the world’s largest buyer of wheat, also relied heavily on subsidized imports to ensure affordable access to bread and vegetable oil for more than 70 million of its people, the official said.

The situation was similar in Lebanon, which sourced 80 percent of its wheat imports from Ukraine and had seen food prices soar due to conflict, Fleischer said.

“Food and fuel price increases have an impact on our operations in the sense that it costs more to bring in the same amount of food into a country,” she said.

“The global food price increases resulted in WFP Yemen incurring an additional cost of approximately $10 million each month in 2022. On another level, the Ukraine crisis is making a bad funding situation worse. WFP’s meager resources for operations in Yemen and Syria especially will be under even more pressure than before.

“WFP is actively working to raise these funds. We are doing everything possible to mobilize world attention and support — through governments, the private sector and individuals — to stave off drastic measures”.

Fleischer is leading a delegation to Riyadh to provide an update on the humanitarian situation in the region. While in the city she met Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, to discuss ways for young Saudis to engage with the WFP through the Misk Foundation.

The delegates also met the leaders of the Evacuation and Humanitarian Operations Cell to express their thanks for its continued support for the WFP’s work in Yemen.

 

 


Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta

A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
Updated 24 March 2023

Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs launches Ramadan gift programs in Jakarta

A copy of the Holy Qur'an, boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program are distributed by the Saudi Islamic affairs ministry. (SPA)
  • Al-Hazmi explained that, thanks to the King Salman Iftar Program, thousands of meals had been distributed to people across Indonesia

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, represented by the religious attache at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Indonesia, inaugurated today the King Salman Gift Program to distribute copies of the Holy Qur’an and boxes of dates, and the Iftar Program for those fasting.

The event took place at the headquarters of the attache in Jakarta, in the presence of the Saudi ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amoudi, the Kingdom’s religious attache, Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Hazmi, and several senior Islamic figures in Indonesia.

Ambassador Al-Amoudi stressed that these efforts are an extension of the Kingdom’s role in serving Islam and Muslims all over the world, especially Indonesia, the largest Islamic country by population.

He noted that these gifts from King Salman come in the context of promoting the humanitarian and Islamic work of the Kingdom. Al-Amoudi added that the Indonesian government and people appreciate and respect Saudi Arabia, its leadership and the Saudi people.

Al-Hazmi explained that, thanks to the King Salman Iftar Program, thousands of meals had been distributed to people across Indonesia.

He noted that the number of beneficiaries from the dates program had reached 55,000 people, encompassing 80 tons of dates. Those benefiting from the Iftar Program amount to 150,000, and 88,500 copies of the Holy Qur’an will be distributed.

Al-Hazmi stressed that Muslims all over the world anticipate these programs annually with passion, love, and appreciation.

These programs are an implementation of King Salman’s directives to distribute one million copies of the Holy Qur’an and numerous tons of dates to people during Ramadan in 2023, as a culmination of the efforts made by the Kingdom in caring for Muslims around the world.

 

 


Saudi Arabia’s GEA launches Eid Al-Fitr 2023 activities with new logo

GEA launches Theme of Eid Al-Fitr Events 2023. (Twitter @GEA_SA)
GEA launches Theme of Eid Al-Fitr Events 2023. (Twitter @GEA_SA)
Updated 24 March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s GEA launches Eid Al-Fitr 2023 activities with new logo

GEA launches Theme of Eid Al-Fitr Events 2023. (Twitter @GEA_SA)
  • General Entertainment Authority said in a statement to Arab News that the new logo and corresponding program aim to capture the feelings of joy associated with Eid Al-Fitr

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has launched Eid Al-Fitr 2023 with a new logo, characterized by elements and colors that represent both the celebrations and Saudi culture.

Eid Al-Fitr 2023 activities will include fireworks, parties, and other events with the aim of celebrating the season and encouraging the Saudi private sector to contribute to developing entertainment options for the community.

GEA, established in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 objective of developing the entertainment sector in the Kingdom, said in a statement to Arab News that the new logo and corresponding program aim to capture the feelings of joy associated with Eid Al-Fitr — from buying new clothes to gathering with friends and family.

GEA has issued a guide for the Eid Al-Fitr activities, which can be viewed via the link: https://eid.gea.gov.sa/

GEA supports the Kingdom’s economy by contributing to its diversification, increasing the gross domestic product, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and raising foreign direct investment in the entertainment sector.

 


Prophet’s Mosque to hand out 2m Zamzam bottles to female visitors

Prophet’s Mosque to hand out 2m Zamzam bottles to female visitors
Updated 24 March 2023

Prophet’s Mosque to hand out 2m Zamzam bottles to female visitors

Prophet’s Mosque to hand out 2m Zamzam bottles to female visitors
  • Drinks will enable women to perform their worship in comfort

MADINAH: The Women’s Affairs Agency at the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque has provided 2 million Zamzam water bottles to be distributed to female visitors during Ramadan.
Over 1,000 female employees from the agency and companies operating at the mosque, as well as 22 teams of volunteers will serve the drinks to enable visitors to perform their worship in comfort, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The women’s agency stressed its keenness to provide support to female visitors and its ongoing coordination with all participants to improve the services provided at the Prophet’s Mosque.