Minister of Agriculture Fahd Balghunaim announced an ambitious proposal to team up with France and produce vaccines to control animal diseases in Saudi Arabia.
The move by the ministry will acquire new vaccine technology to control the potential recurrence of several diseases that previously threatened animal farming in the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia and France enjoy an excellent relationship and close ties in various sectors including agriculture,” Minister Balghunaim told guests at the opening of French Week at the residence of French Ambassador Bertrand Besancenot on Monday.
Balghunaim told Arab News: “The Ministry of Agriculture is discussing plans to renew cooperation in the field of vaccine production with French officials - a plan that was made 20 years ago. We hope to enhance cooperation with France in the field of agriculture and animal resources.”
Proposals to produce animal vaccines will be developed in the near future, he added.
“The issue of animal vaccines is very important here in Saudi Arabia because of the outbreak of various animal and poultry diseases reported every now and then,” he said. The minister went on to say animal diseases cause many problems in the Kingdom besides inflicting huge economic loss. They also create restrictions on the world livestock trade. Vaccines improve the health and welfare of animals, increase livestock production in a cost-effective manner, and prevent animal-to-human transmission from both domestic animals and wildlife, he added.
The French Week food festival is organized by Carrefour, the French retail giant who operates in the Middle East under UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim Group.
Saudi officials, French diplomats, business leaders from both communities, and Carrefour executives attended the formal launch of French Week food festival at the ambassador’s residence. The French ambassador was joined by Alexis Lucas, commercial officer at the French Embassy; Etienne Cavaciuti, Carrefour vice president; and Philippe Lervoy, Carrefour district general manager. Ambassador Besancenot said the French Week food festival aims to tempt Saudis into the world of fine French dining.
“The Kingdom and France have forged closer ties in different areas including the food industry and this festival is evidence of the partnership.” Saudis can indulge in a large number of French food products currently on sale at Carrefour’s hypermarkets and supermarkets around the Kingdom, he added.
Besancenot said: “The last few years have been especially rich and challenging for the two countries and this contributes to very strong relations between Riyadh and Paris.” On a commercial level, the two reported massive growth with two-way trade exceeding 7.7 million euro last year. The Kingdom confirms its position as the first partner of France in the Middle East in terms of trade and investment, he said. But there is still room for further expansion especially in the food industry, he added.
Saudi Arabia’s food market is currently expanding at a rate of 18.5 percent annually. Food and agricultural imports from countries including France, account for 15 percent of overall imports, or SR 64.9 billion. The Kingdom is investing SR 46.1 billion in domestic agricultural projects to acquire land abroad to ensure food security. These initiatives call for more French and European involvement in the Kingdom’s food industry.
Carrefour vice president Cavaciuti said: “The French Week food festival is one of our signature events. We are considering moving to another level in the development and operation of shopping malls in the Kingdom with our sister company MAF property.”
Carrefour currently operates 12 hypermarkets and supermarkets in the Kingdom.
Cavacuiti said Carrefour serves more than 10 million customers every year and employs more than 2,000 staff. The French retail giant continues to expand globally with more than 9,500 stores operating around the world.
Saudi-French alliance to produce vaccines against animal diseases
Saudi-French alliance to produce vaccines against animal diseases
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.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
