Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 

Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 
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Grape farming is considered profitable because of the ease of cultivation in various soils with minimal water requirements and the plant’s adaptabilty to various climates in the Kingdom. (SPA) 
Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 
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Grape farming is considered profitable because of the ease of cultivation in various soils with minimal water requirements and the plant’s adaptabilty to various climates in the Kingdom. (SPA) 
Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 
3 / 3
Grape farming is considered profitable because of the ease of cultivation in various soils with minimal water requirements and the plant’s adaptabilty to various climates in the Kingdom. (SPA) 
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Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 

Saudi Arabia now 66% self-sufficient in grape production: MEWA 
  • National production in 2023 exceeded 122,000 tonnes
  • 7.13 million grapes planted in over 4,720 hectares of land 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's grape production surpassed 122,000 tonnes in 2023, reflecting the growth of the local agricultural sector and its ability to meet a big portion of market demands, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Saturday.

The figure accounts for 66 percent of current market demand in the Kingdom, said the report, citing a statement by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, or MEWA.

MEWA said the Kingdom had more than 7.13 million grape plants during that year, with more than 6.1 million bearing fruit. 




Grape farming is considered profitable because of the ease of cultivation in various soils with minimal water requirements and the plant’s adaptabilty to various climates in the Kingdom. (SPA)

In a separate report last year, the ministry listed a grape production area of 4,720 hectares across the Kingdom.

The same report highlighted Tabuk as the top grape-producing region, yielding 46,939 tonnes annually, adding that Qassim, Hail, and Asir also contributed significantly to the national production.

Grape farming is considered profitable because of the ease of cultivation in various soils with minimal water requirements. The plant could easily adapt to the different climates in Saudi Arabia. 

To encourage farmers to plant grapes, the ministry has assured its continuing efforts to support and empower them by providing modern technologies, such as smart irrigation systems and organic farming.

The ministry also aims to encourage increased local fruit consumption, saying that grapes are packed with nutrients, and have health benefits.

The harvest season for grapes is from June to September, the ministry said.


Eastern Province bus network carries 6m passengers in 3 years

Eastern Province bus network carries 6m passengers in 3 years
Updated 24 April 2025
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Eastern Province bus network carries 6m passengers in 3 years

Eastern Province bus network carries 6m passengers in 3 years
  • System set to add 7 new routes soon, municipality says
  • Kingdom’s public transport networks have seen significant expansion in recent years

More than 6 million passengers have used the public bus network in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province since its introduction in 2022.

Comprising 10 routes and 279 stops, the service operates 85 buses for 18 hours a day. During the recent Eid Al-Fitr holiday, it was used by about 12,500 passengers per day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to the municipal government, a new phase will be introduced soon that will see a fleet of environmentally buses running on seven routes in Dammam, Alkhobar, Qatif and Al-Bayda. The expansion is part of a wider plan to improve urban infrastructure, promote sustainable transport and support tourism in the region, the report said.

With tickets priced from SR3.45 (92 US cents) more than 90 percent of passengers surveyed in the first quarter of this year said they were satisfied with the service.

The country’s public transport networks have been expanded significantly in recent years as part of the government’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve quality of life for people living in cities.

The six-line Riyadh Metro, which opened in December and covers about 176 km, carried more than 18 million passengers in its first two months of operation.

A key component of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport and Saudi Vision 2030, the system is designed to carry up to 3.6 million passengers a day. It has driverless trains, air-conditioned cabins and designated seating for different passenger groups.

Riyadh also has an extensive bus network, which spans more than 1,900 km, has more than 2,860 stops and a daily capacity of 500,000 passengers.


Sri Lanka holds tourism roadshow in Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka holds tourism roadshow in Saudi Arabia
Updated 24 April 2025
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Sri Lanka holds tourism roadshow in Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka holds tourism roadshow in Saudi Arabia
  • Riyadh, Alkhobar events aim to attract Saudi Arabia travelers

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh has been holding a tourism roadshow in the Kingdom to attract travelers from Saudi Arabia.

The embassy organized the roadshow with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, with the first event held on Tuesday in Riyadh, and the second on Thursday in Alkhobar.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad inaugurated the roadshow which included several destination-management companies from both nations.

Ajwad told Arab News on Thursday that the initiative marked a significant new chapter in Sri Lanka’s tourism promotion efforts in Saudi Arabia as it comes after a six-year hiatus.

He urged tourism firms of both nations to collaborate on marketing Sri Lanka. He said Saudi Arabia tourists are expected to spend $25.49 billion by 2027 on overseas travel.

Ajwad said the two nations have strong ties and recently marked 50 years of diplomatic relations.

“As Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia are promoting the tourism industry in an active manner, both countries have huge potential to collaborate and complement each other in this sector.

“For this purpose, regular interaction between the inbound and outbound tour operators of both countries facilitated by both government authorities, will be helpful,” he added.

Ajwad also launched on Tuesday a dedicated Snapchat account named “Jannat Dunya” in Arabic for the promotion of Sri Lanka tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the gathering, Sampath Nissanka, managing director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, provided an overview of his country’s growing industry.

He said Sri Lanka’s was targeting 5 million arrivals by 2030 with high-end travelers accounting for 50 percent of that figure.

Thusitha Wickramasinghe, country manager for Sri Lankan Airlines, and tourism representatives, highlighted the attractions of the country for travelers.

The attractions include halal eateries, luxury wellness retreats, wildlife safaris and cultural experiences.

A networking session between the visiting top 20 Sri Lankan tourism firms and their Saudi Arabia counterparts took place during the Riyadh event.


Japan, OIC discuss Afghan humanitarian cooperation

Japan, OIC discuss Afghan humanitarian cooperation
(OIC)
Updated 24 April 2025
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Japan, OIC discuss Afghan humanitarian cooperation

Japan, OIC discuss Afghan humanitarian cooperation

JEDDAH: Leading officials from Japan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held talks here Wednesday on bolstering joint humanitarian programs in Afghanistan.

The OIC officials included Tarig Ali Bakheet, assistant secretary-general for humanitarian, social and cultural Affairs, and special envoy of the OIC secretary-general for Afghanistan.

The Japanese delegation included Masayuki Kameda, principal deputy director of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul general in Jeddah.


Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim

Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim
Updated 24 April 2025
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Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim

Endangered wildlife released in Riyadh, rare oryx born in Qassim
  • Sand gazelles, hares, steppe eagles, black kite included
  • Animals released under Saudi Arabia’s rewilding program

RIYADH: Over 30 endangered animals have been released into Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve under the Kingdom’s rewilding program, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The release included 20 Arabian sand gazelles, five Arabian oryx, four wild hares, three steppe eagles, and a black kite, according to the National Center for Wildlife.

A Steppe Eagle is released into the wild at the King Khalid Royal Reserve on April 21, 2025. (SPA photo)

The NCW, in collaboration with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, maintains a breeding center in the reserve.

Also, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification reported the birth of an Arabian oryx in Qassim National Park.

The birth was documented by a team from the NCVC, allowing specialists to study the behavior of this endangered native species, according to a separate SPA report.

A new-born Arabian oryx is seen with its mother at the Qassim National Park. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is a global leader in protecting the Arabian oryx. Since the 1970s it has collaborated with international organizations to save the species from extinction.

Efforts have included establishing reserves such as the Mahazat As-Sayd and Uruq Bani Ma’arid, implementing captive breeding programs, and supporting gradual reintroduction.


Saudi and Greek ministers chair inaugural meeting of joint cultural committee

Saudi and Greek ministers chair inaugural meeting of joint cultural committee
Updated 24 April 2025
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Saudi and Greek ministers chair inaugural meeting of joint cultural committee

Saudi and Greek ministers chair inaugural meeting of joint cultural committee
  • They say it is important to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two nations and the committee will help achieve this
  • Ministers praise the Saudi Cultural Week hosted by Athens in 2024, which showcased music, theater, films, crafts, food, Arabic calligraphy and fashion from the Kingdom

JEDDAH: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Greek counterpart, Lina Mendoni, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-Greek Strategic Partnership Council’s Culture Committee on Wednesday.

The ministers said it was important to strengthen cultural cooperation between Riyadh and Athens, and activate a memorandum of understanding they signed in July 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Badr said the committee will help achieve this.

The ministers praised the Saudi Cultural Week hosted by Athens from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2024, which showcased musical and theatrical performances, films, traditional crafts, food, Arabic calligraphy and fashion from the Kingdom.

Greece participated at Saudi International Crafts Week in Riyadh in November 2024, and the Benaki Museum in Athens is taking part in the Islamic Arts Biennale, which began in January in Jeddah and continues until May.

Other senior Saudi and Greek officials present at the committee meeting included Alexis Konstantopoulos, the Greek ambassador to the Kingdom.