Saudi coffee has grown on global scale, minister says

Saudi coffee has grown on global scale, minister says
The minister highlighted the focus on coffee projects, reflecting the diverse agricultural landscape of Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region. (SPA)
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Updated 14 February 2024
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Saudi coffee has grown on global scale, minister says

Saudi coffee has grown on global scale, minister says
  • There are over 2,000 coffee farms in the Jazan region producing more than 1,000 tons of coffee a year

RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Mansour Al-Mushaiti, says that the Kingdom’s coffee industry has undergone a qualitative shift over the past decade, growing from a local to global scale.
The remarks were made during his speech at the opening ceremony of the International Saudi Coffee Exhibition on Wednesday in Jazan, Saudi Press Agency reported.
There are over 2,000 coffee farms in the Jazan region producing more than 1,000 tons of coffee a year, according to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Al-Mushaiti described the coffee exhibition as a pivotal platform for advancing the industry, offering specialized training for coffee farmers, workshops and cultural and artistic gatherings aimed at bolstering the regions’ coffee cultivation.
The Jazan Development Strategic Office organized the exhibition to share farming knowledge and best practices, to support initiatives aimed at encouraging coffee cultivation in the region, and to help accelerate Jazan’s transformation into a global trade hub.
Al-Mushaiti also emphasized the agricultural sector’s pivotal role in boosting national development.
The minister highlighted the focus on coffee projects, reflecting the diverse agricultural landscape of Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region. Initiatives include plans for new coffee processing facilities in the Al-Dayer governorate, model coffee nurseries across Jazan and Asir, as well as a pioneering coffee city in Al-Baha.
The Kingdom’s Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program has provided more than SR155 million ($41.3 million) to 7,256 beneficiaries across various agricultural industries, with coffee farmers constituting a significant portion of these.
Local farmers at the exhibition told SPA that cultivating and harvesting coffee beans is a fun activity for them and their families, and that they inherited their fathers’ enthusiasm for the job.
Coffee cultivation, they said, requires patience because one tree takes three to four years to produce fruit. They noted that the ministry assists them in increasing coffee production, encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps.


Program to combat human trafficking concludes in Riyadh

Program to combat human trafficking concludes in Riyadh
Updated 16 sec ago
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Program to combat human trafficking concludes in Riyadh

Program to combat human trafficking concludes in Riyadh

RIYADH: The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, chaired by President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission Hala Al-Tuwaijri, recently concluded the second phase of its “Train-the-Trainers” program.

The five-day program was delivered to 20 committee members in the field of combating human trafficking, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Held at the commission’s headquarters in Riyadh, it was organized in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

It featured the participation of several experts and specialists from relevant government agencies and covered key topics including communication strategies with trainees, the role and responsibilities of the trainer, and speech skills.

It also addressed building trust, time management, and effective leadership.

The program is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and strengthen national capacity in the field.

It aligns with the implementation of the second phase of the memorandum of understanding between the commission and the UN for technical cooperation in combating human trafficking.


Experts discuss importance of geographical names at Jeddah forum

An attendee visits an exhibition at the 10th Forum of the Arab Division of Experts in Geographical Names. (AN photo)
An attendee visits an exhibition at the 10th Forum of the Arab Division of Experts in Geographical Names. (AN photo)
Updated 33 min 58 sec ago
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Experts discuss importance of geographical names at Jeddah forum

An attendee visits an exhibition at the 10th Forum of the Arab Division of Experts in Geographical Names. (AN photo)
  • Conference aims to facilitate unification of place names

JEDDAH: An event to strengthen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of ideas about geographical place names in Arab countries began in Jeddah on Sunday.

Experts from 22 Arab nations and international organizations gathered for the start of the 10th Forum of the Arab Division of Experts in Geographical Names, which is scheduled to run for three days.

The event is being held under the theme “Strengthening Relations and Links Between Arab States in the Field of Geographical Names,” and is hosted under the auspices of Prince Khalid bin Salman, the minister of defense and chairman of the board of directors of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.

The conference, which was opened by Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, aims to facilitate joint Arab action in various fields, including the documentation of geographical names; unifying geographical names in Arabic, avoiding the use of colloquial dialects; and launching new national committees.

Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sayel, president of the authority, noted that Saudi Arabia placed great importance on the topic of geographical names.

The authority on the opening day signed 10 memorandums of cooperation with a number of entities in the government sector, the academic sector, and the nonprofit sector.

Tim Trainer, a part-time consultant to the UN and former chief geospatial scientist for the US Census Bureau, told Arab News: “The collaboration, from a regional perspective, is very impressive, and it seems there is a positive path to that collaboration.”

Meanwhile, Tariq Aba Al-Khail, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey, spoke of the importance of documenting data on mineral sites through the National Geological Information Database.


Saudi Arabia condemns bombing at rail station in Pakistan

Passengers’ belongings are seen scattered on the platform after an explosion at a railway station in Quetta, in Balochistan.
Passengers’ belongings are seen scattered on the platform after an explosion at a railway station in Quetta, in Balochistan.
Updated 10 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns bombing at rail station in Pakistan

Passengers’ belongings are seen scattered on the platform after an explosion at a railway station in Quetta, in Balochistan.
  • “The Kingdom reiterates its position rejecting all forms of violence and terrorism,” a Foreign Ministry statement said
  • At least 24 people were killed and more than 40 injured in the bomb blast in Quetta, Balochistan province

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned a bomb blast at a railway station in the city of Quetta in southwestern Pakistan that killed 24 people on Saturday.

“The Kingdom reiterates its position rejecting all forms of violence and terrorism,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. 

The ministry extended its condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.

At least 24 people were killed and more than 40 injured in the bomb blast in Quetta, Balochistan province. The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.


Platform inspires children to learn about Saudi cultural heritage

Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
Updated 10 November 2024
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Platform inspires children to learn about Saudi cultural heritage

Platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms. (MoC)
  • Initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader children’s program aimed at nurturing national pride by providing gateway for children to explore their cultural heritage

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture has launched the Child’s Culture digital platform to spark children’s interest in Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.

The platform offers interactive content on historic landmarks, renowned cultural figures and vibrant art forms, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Young explorers can delve into various sections, such as Cultural Monuments, which showcases iconic heritage sites; Cultural Luminaries, which introduces influential Saudi figures; and Cultural Recommendations, which features weekly updates on cultural experiences.

The Puzzle Game section challenges players to assemble fragments of paintings from different regions to reveal a complete masterpiece.

Catering to auditory learners, the platform offers the “Podcast Tawela,” with content tailored to capture the imagination of young audiences.

The platform also offers a variety of training activities to nurture children’s cultural talents. These include Be Creative with Your Handwriting with Arabic Poetry, which provides handwriting lessons for young Arabic learners; Let’s Discover Culture Together, a coloring book that introduces children to cultural concepts through art; and The Little Writer, which guides children in writing and composition.

The initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader children’s program aimed at nurturing national pride by providing an accessible and engaging gateway for children to explore their cultural heritage.

Through innovative and interactive content, the platform fosters knowledge, skills development, and a deep appreciation of Saudi culture and identity.

The platform is accessible at moc.gov.sa/en/Modules/Pages/Child-Culture.


Healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia face legal action for social media violations

Saudi Ministry of Health
Saudi Ministry of Health
Updated 10 November 2024
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Healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia face legal action for social media violations

Saudi Ministry of Health
  • Ministry found video clips violating healthcare regulations and professional ethics, SPA reported Sunday
  • In response, the ministry initiated legal proceedings with the relevant authorities, referring cases for regulatory action

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health has taken action against several healthcare practitioners who posted inappropriate content on social media.

The ministry found video clips violating healthcare regulations and professional ethics, the Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.

Violations included posting indecent content, using improper language, breaching workplace policies, mistreating patients and sharing an inappropriate video featuring a hospitalized patient.

The offending practitioners were identified in Riyadh, Jazan and Tabuk, the SPA reported.

In response, the ministry initiated legal proceedings with the relevant authorities, referring cases for regulatory action.

The enforcement supports the ministry’s role in upholding professional standards, healthcare quality and patient rights.

“This action stems from our commitment to ensuring compliance with professional standards in healthcare practice,” the ministry said.

It emphasized that healthcare professionals must comply with regulations to serve public and individual interests while respecting dignity and safety.

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties’ Code of Medical Ethics prohibits patient filming except for approved purposes, with violations risking license revocation. Practitioners are also barred from self-promotion except in authorized cases.

Under the Cybercrime Law, violators face severe penalties, including up to five years in prison and fines of up to SR3 million ($799,000) for producing content that breaches public values.