BOSTON: Energy Minister and Chief of the Board of Directors at King Abdul-Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) Khalid Al-Falih participated in the Innovation to Impact Forum as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the US.
The Research Products Development Company (RPDC) signed an agreement with SaudiVax to establish and operate the first research and industrial center in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to develop vaccines and biomedical medical products.
It is to be established at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Innovation Center with the support of KACST, which will provide research, development and manufacturing tools to build the first line of defense against epidemic risks in the Kingdom.
The Center will also include a training platform for qualifying national competencies in the industrial field.
A cooperation agreement was signed with GE to supply equipment to the Center, and Fujifilm Dayosent Biotechnology for the development of a treatment for middle respiratory syndrome (Corona).
Al-Falih expressed his satisfaction at taking the first step to localize this important industry in the Kingdom, hoping that it would be a starting point for industrial investment in research, development and medical innovation.
Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, President of KACST, stressed the importance of this national project for the Kingdom, and his keenness to make this Center a national platform for research, development and pharmaceutical innovation with international standards. He said he hoped it would transform a large part of the outputs of national pharmaceutical research into economically feasible industrial outputs.
The chairman of National Industrial Cluster Program (NICP), Hamoud Al-Tuwaijri, pointed out that this agreement would hopefully establish a scientific framework to enable the Kingdom to find internal solutions to its national health needs, as well as regional and Islamic needs, including solutions for Corona and other problems.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, the president of KAUST, explained that this is among several ambitious technological projects aimed at accelerating the localization of Saudi technology and creating technical jobs in the fields of biomedical medicines and advanced industrial applications within the framework of Vision 2030. He said the vaccine and advanced treatments industry is strategically important for the Kingdom, given the reception of millions of pilgrims from around the world annually.
The size of the vaccine market in the Kingdom is about $400 million annually, while biological medicines represent $1 billion, with an approximate annual growth rate of 15 percent. The size of the global vaccine market is about $30 billion, and the global biological medicines market is about $300 billion.
Saudi leadership’s US trip lays foundation for localization of vaccine and biological industries in the Kingdom
Saudi leadership’s US trip lays foundation for localization of vaccine and biological industries in the Kingdom
Parliamentary Foreign Vice-Minister Matsumoto to visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan
TOKYO: Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto Hisashi will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan from Jan. 11 to 15, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
During the visit, Matsumoto is scheduled to exchange views with government officials of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on bilateral relations as well as regional and international situations.
Matsumoto is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 12, according to the ministry.
A version of this article appeared on Arab News Japan.
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Kingdom readies itself for 3 days of rain and high winds
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for rainfall across most parts of the Kingdom over the next three days after the National Center for Meteorology issues warnings on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
