New body to improve food, water supply set up as demand rises
Saudi Alliance for Agricultural and Food Technologies launched
40 companies, universities, research bodies, NGOs have joined
Updated 04 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Forty public and private entities in the Kingdom have joined the new Saudi Alliance for Agricultural and Food Technologies that aims to improve the country’s food supply chain as demand rises.
Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, deputy minister at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, launched the body on July 3 in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The alliance’s founding partners include the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Topian, a food subsidiary of NEOM.
“The alliance aims to create a community of those interested in the agricultural and food technology sector, contribute to building bridges between actors in this sector,” the SPA reported.
In his speech, Al-Mushaiti said the aim was to develop an environment that “preserves natural resources and achieves sustainable water and food security.”
Al-Mushaiti said the ministry has improved the agriculture sector, which contributed an unprecedented $29 billion to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product in 2023.
With the new umbrella body, Al-Mushaiti said he hopes to see further improvement in financial outcomes.
16,565 violators of residency, labor laws arrested
Updated 21 sec ago
SPA
RIYADH: In joint field campaigns across the Kingdom from June 27 to July 3, 16,565 people were arrested for violating residency and labor laws.
That number included 9,969 violators of residency laws, 4,676 violators of border-security regulations, and 1,920 violators of labor laws.
A total of 1,244 individuals were caught attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, of whom 37 percent were Yemeni, 60 percent were Ethiopian, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
Additionally, 63 individuals were caught attempting to exit the Kingdom illegally.
Three individuals were apprehended for involvement in transporting, harboring, and employing violators, as well as covering up for them.
A total of 20,780 violators — 19,396 men and 1,384 women — are currently being processed by the relevant authorities, while 12,219 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents.
A further 2,931 violators have been ordered to finalize their travel arrangements, while 9,663 have so far been deported.
Meet the scientists, researchers and innovators granted the Saudi citizenship
The royal order aims to grant Saudi citizenship to people whose distinguished legal, medical, scientific, cultural, sports and technical expertise serve the nation in various fields
Updated 21 min 33 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: A number of scientists, doctors, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs have recently been granted the Saudi citizenship.
The royal order aims to grant Saudi citizenship to people whose distinguished legal, medical, scientific, cultural, sports and technical expertise serve the nation in various fields.
Here is a list of the Saudi citizenship recipients as published by the financial news portal, Argaam.
Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam
Mohammed Zween is deemed a pioneer in the Arab world of a media model that emphasizes qualitative and educational content aimed at profitability. (File/Argaam)
Zween holds a Master’s degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, with over 25 years of experience in technology, media, and business management.
Over the past 18 years, Zween has dedicated his efforts to building pioneering digital projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, including “Argaam Financial Portal” and Akhbaar 24.com.
Since 2013, he has implemented a new strategy at Argaam, transforming it into the leading provider of financial media and data journalism in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He also revamped the company’s business model, contributing to diversifying its revenue streams and achieving profitability.
Through Argaam, Zween has launched numerous initiatives and projects that enriched content related to financial data and investment awareness in the Kingdom. He has led many successful partnerships in the media and financial data fields with local and Gulf entities and made significant contributions to the development of financial media in the Kingdom and the Gulf. Under his leadership, Argaam won the Dubai Media Award for the best economic platform in 2023.
Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan’s distinguished career has included several senior corporate roles, including Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo, and President of Global R&D at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. (File/Hospitals Magazine)
Khan, an American national, serves as CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, the first nonprofit organization to fund research through grants and provide investments in biotechnology to stimulate health sciences. Khan specializes in a precise field, holds an MD from a prestigious university, and has over 10 years of practical experience, including managing academic programs like the Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Trials Unit at the Mayo Clinic, and serving as the Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo.
Jackie Y. Ying, Chair, Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Professor Ying was elected a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina. (Supplied)
Ying is an American scientist of Singaporean origin, who served as the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (2003-2018). She currently leads the NanoBio Lab and is a senior research fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). She has published extensively on biomedical engineering and nanotechnology topics. Professor Ying was elected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, and named one of the “100 Engineers of the Modern Era.” Professor Ying was elected a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina.
Niveen Khashab, founding member of KAUST
Following the completion of her PhD at the University of Florida, Niveen Khashab joined KAUST and became a professor of chemical science. (Supplied)
Khashab is a Lebanese scientist with advanced expertise and contributions in bioengineering and nanomaterials. She is a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and has been an associate professor of chemical science and engineering there since 2009. She is one of the laureates of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2017 for her contributions to inventing innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and developing new technology to observe antioxidant activity between cells.
Noreddine Ghaffour, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, KAUST
Noreddine Ghaffour received the M.Sc. and PhD degrees in energy and process engineering from Montpellier University, France. (Supplied)
Ghaffour is a French scientist who holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier (1995) and is currently a professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST. He specializes in water desalination techniques and has published articles and research on environmental science, renewable energy, and membrane separation.
Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon
Khalid, who holds an MBA from The Wharton School, played an instrumental role in the success of Namshi, which was launched in 2012. (Supplied)
Khalid is an Indian entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurial project management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the CEO of the e-commerce platform Noon and co-founded Namshi, where he served as managing director and was responsible for creating, launching, and expanding the website.
Dr. Moutassem Azzubi, Chief Pediatric Neurosurgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital
Neurosurgeon Dr. Moutassem Azzubi has been recognised for his expertise and success in numerous conjoined twins separation surgeries. (X: @Moutasem7)
Azzubi is a Syrian neurosurgeon who has performed numerous conjoined twin separation surgeries in the Kingdom and abroad. He was recognised for his extension contributions to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme and the team of surgeons under Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, adviser to the Royal Court, supervisor general of KSrelief.
Rami Al-Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.com
Rami Al-Qawasni holds a bachelor`s degree in Economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom and started his business journey in Jordan. (Supplied)
Al-Qawasmi is known for his passion for artificial intelligence and startup development. He has created and developed over 10 companies before the age of 30. Under his leadership, Mawdoo3.com raised $23.5 million in a funding round.
Ahmed Mirghani, partner at BIM Ventures
Ahmed Mirghani has contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital. (Supplied)
Mirghani is a Sudanese entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurship from Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He is a co-founder and a leading figure at BIM Ventures and founded the “Angel Investor Mine” network, which has significantly contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Saudi, world leaders congratulate Iran’s new president
King Salman conveyed his wishes of further progress and prosperity for the Iranian people
The crown prince affirmed keenness to deepen relations with the Islamic Republic
Updated 06 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his election as Iran’s president, state news agency SPA reported.
Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election Saturday, besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic.
Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and longtime lawmaker, received 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili’s 13.5 million in Friday’s election.
King Salman, in a message to Pezeshkian, expressed hope for the “continued development of relations which link our two countries and our two brotherly peoples,” according to SPA.
He also expressed his wish for further “coordination and dialogue to strengthen regional and international peace and security,” SPA said.
The king conveyed his wishes of further progress and prosperity for the Iranian people.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, “I affirm my keenness on developing and deepening the relations that unite our countries and peoples and serve our mutual interests.”
Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark China-brokered deal to re-establish relations in March 2023.
Since then, officials from both sides continued talks to bolster ties.
Qatar, UAE and Kuwait also sent a cable of congratulations to the new president.
Syrian President Bashar Assad, for whom Tehran is a top ally, on Saturday congratulated Iran’s reformist president-elect, stressing his desire to strengthen ties with Tehran.
In a message published on the Syrian presidency’s social media accounts, Assad said: “We are keen to ensure that our relationship remains at its peak.”
He added that he wants to work with Pezeshkian “to strengthen the Syrian-Iranian strategic relationship” and that “resistance will remain the common approach we follow.”
In his message of congratulations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was counting on stronger ties with the Islamic Republic.
“I hope that your tenure as president will contribute to a reinforcement of constructive bilateral cooperation between our friendly peoples,” Putin said in a message to Pezeshkian.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Pezeshkian for his win in the presidential runoff election.
“I am willing to work with the President to lead the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership towards deeper advancement,” state news agency Xinhua reported Xi as saying.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pezeshkian for his win.
“Looking forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our warm and long-standing bilateral relationship for the benefit of our peoples and the region,” Modi wrote on social media platform X.
RIYADH: Saudi Border Guards thwarted the smuggling of 340 kilograms of Qat in the Jazan region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Land patrols in Al-Ardah sector confiscated the items and regulatory procedures were promptly carried out. The seized items were transferred to the relevant authorities.
Saudi authorities urged citizens and residents to report any information pertaining to drug smuggling or related activities. Reports can be made by contacting emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom.
KSrelief launches food program in earthquake-hit areas of Syria, Turkiye
Updated 06 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief launched a volunteer program to distribute food parcels to earthquake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program initially aims to secure food baskets for 2,000 people in the Turkish cities of Reyhanli and Gaziantep.
KSrelief chief Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah inaugurated the program on Friday.
It is part of KSrelief’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Syrian and Turkish people affected by the 2023 earthquakes, a statement said.
