A number of diplomats in the Kingdom praised the events of the tenth edition of Souq Okaz, and expressed their happiness over the activities and the historical displays offered by the festival.

They said the annual Souq is an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Arabs, and some of them confirmed they were keen on bringing their families with them to this important event.

This came during the visit of a delegation comprising 35 ambassadors and diplomats from Gulf, Arab, African and European states to the historic Souq Okaz. They watched a show at the open theater and browsed stalls where artisans, craftsmen and productive families display their handmade products. They also visited other government exhibitions.

The delegation was received on arrival by Rashid Al-Ghamdi, director of Souq Okaz, who projected a visual presentation on the history of Souq Okaz and what it used to represent for the Arabs in the past and how the original location of this Souq was discovered in the reign of King Faisal. Then King Abdullah ordered the revival of its activities and events by holding an annual event to represent the history and heritage of this intellectual event. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and governor of Makkah, translated this on the ground under the sponsorship and support of King Salman.

Al-Ghamdi gave the delegation a briefing on the plans in place to develop the Souq which in the future will contain a technology oasis, including the latest technological industries on an area of 16 million square meters, and the Okaz Economic City under the supervision of the Saudi Commission for Antiquities and National Heritage which will include hotels, resorts and conference halls to be a center and hub for holding Arab conferences in the future.

New British Consul General Barrie Peach was impressed by what he saw during a tour of the Souq, noting that this is his first visit to Taif and that he was pleased to start his tenure in the Kingdom with this visit.