Agricultural researchers and experts interested in the Saudi date industry have recommended that Madinah dates be stamped with a logo to differentiate them from other dates and curb the phenomenon of fraud and sale of dates claimed to be from the Prophet’s city.
This came in an introductory meeting held recently by the Center of Palms and Dates Research at the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the presence of members of the board of directors and heads of the committees.
Experts pointed out that many distributors try to sell ordinary dates in international conferences claiming that they are from Madinah.
The Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) secretary general stressed the importance of Madinah dates being in high demand.
This uniqueness gives the Madinah date an advantage over other dates as they originate from the city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) giving the Madinah dates a special status.
The secretary general said it MCCI supports this industry through continuous communications among the chamber’s committees. He expressed appreciation for the role of the Center of Palms And Dates Research in supporting this strategic product. Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Al-Janubi, CEO of the National Center for palms and dates talked about the services provided by the center, listing the center’s achievements during the previous period and presented the center’s future strategy to serve this important sector.
Al-Janubi put forward a number of mechanisms for the participation of date exporters in foreign fairs and festivals and discussed ways to present the product according to world-class standards. He added that the center is keen on improving the quality of Saudi dates.
He said the Kingdom consumes around 800,000 tons of dates where there is a surplus of an estimated 300,000 tons. While the agriculture rates are increasing and the Kingdom’s consumption is steady, there’s a need to consider them asa source of wealth and not only as food.
Al-Janubi said the Kingdom exports more than 70,000 tons of dates, 30 percent of which are represented in gifts and sadaka (charity).
Logo urged for Madinah dates to check fraud
Logo urged for Madinah dates to check fraud
Kingdom’s civil aviation authority launches integrated digital platform, new brand identity
- Aim is to improve operational efficiency, transparency and GACA’s regulatory role
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority has launched a new integrated digital platform and brand identity.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation’s changes, which includes an updated website, was announced at its headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The new platform, named Ajwaa, provides all civil aviation services, ensuring quick and efficient access for users and creates a fully digital environment for stakeholders, the SPA reported.
The aim is to improve operational efficiency, transparency, and GACA’s regulatory role, the report stated.
The event was attended by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s transport minister and chairman of GACA’s board, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, president of GACA, vice presidents, CEOs, and other officials.
Al-Duailej said the slogan for the Ajwaa platform is “Together for New Horizons.”
Geological wonders of Riyadh’s King Khalid Royal Reserve
- Al-Urumah mountains have caves, rock columns, stone bridges
- Rock formations record past environmental, climatic changes
RIYADH: The King Khalid Royal Reserve is one of the nation’s most captivating areas with rock formations sculpted over thousands of years by natural erosion and fluctuating climatic conditions.
Formerly known as the Al-Thumamah Wildlife Park, the royal reserve is less than an hour’s drive from the city center.
Among the main geological features in the reserve are the Al-Urumah mountains, known for their striking natural caves, rock columns, and stone bridges.
Stretching over 700 km, the dramatic landscape provides an ideal destination for photography and adventure enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
These landscapes hold a geological record that reveals the environmental and climatic changes the region has experienced over time.
In winter, the reserve becomes a perfect destination for ecotourism, the SPA reported.
Trump thanks Saudi crown prince for hosting Ukraine peace talks in Riyadh
RIYADH: US President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia did a “great job” in hosting talks aimed at moving toward a resolution of the Russian-Ukraine war, and thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating the discussions in Riyadh.
Trump said on Wednesday that the conflict, which began three years ago this month, would have never started had he been president.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “talked the US into spending $350 billion to go into a war that that could not be won, that never had to start and never would have started if I was president,” said Trump, adding that Ukraine would never settle the war without US involvement.
Senior US and Russian officials attended a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting was also attended by senior Saudis, but no Ukrainians.
Trump said that Zelenskyy could have attended the discussions in the Saudi capital had he wanted to.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, to create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.
Trump, talking at the FII PRIORITY Miami event, which runs between Feb. 19-21, said he hopes that a ceasefire arrives soon.
The president’s speech was wide-ranging, touching on efforts to cut government waste, boosting energy production, and his foreign policy objectives.
Dignitaries included Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund; Elon Musk, the head of a new US federal entity — called DOGE — meant to cut government waste; and Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US.
Digital Cooperation Organization signs multiple memorandums of understanding as fourth general assembly ends
- Secretary-general says event marked 4 years of progress
AMMAN: The Digital Cooperation Organization signed numerous memorandums of understanding during its fourth general assembly in Amman, which concluded on Wednesday.
The memorandums were signed between the DCO and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, the Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Sultanate of Oman and 500 Global.
A statement of intent was also signed between the DCO and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.
The signings came after a delegation from the DCO visited Jordan’s Prime Minister Jaafar Abdel Fattah Hassan.
Sami Smeirat, the Jordanian minister of digital economy and entrepreneurship, and the chairman of the DCO Council, said that Jordan’s presidency of the organization in 2024 had demonstrated the country’s ability to lead global efforts toward building an inclusive digital economy.
He said: “Throughout this year we have launched ambitious initiatives, strengthened public-private partnerships, and laid solid foundations to empower youth and women in the technology sector.”
Smeirat spoke of the 2025 presidency, which was handed to Kuwait.
He said: “We hand over the presidency to our brothers in the State of Kuwait. We reaffirm Jordan’s commitment to remaining an active partner in achieving the organization’s goals. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to realize our shared vision: a digital world marked by prosperity and fairness for all.”
Deemah Al-Yahya, the secretary-general of the DCO, said that the general assembly marked four years of progress for the organization.
The secretary-general highlighted DCO’s upcoming ambitions, adding: “While we have achieved much over the past four years, there is still important work ahead to drive digital economic growth for all.”
Wednesday’s event featured panels and discussions with leading experts from across the world.
The DCO was founded in November 2020 and currently has 16 nations as members, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Oman. It also has 39 observer and partner organizations.
Piece of Kaaba’s Kiswah gifted to Uzbekistan’s Center of Islamic Civilization
- Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah is currently on a visit to the Central Asian country
- He handed over the piece of cloth to Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
RIYADH: A piece of the holy Kaaba’s Kiswa was gifted by the Kingdom to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, currently on a visit to the Central Asian country, handed over the piece of cloth to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the directive of King Salman.
Mirziyoyev commended the Kingdom’s efforts to develop Hajj and Umrah experiences and facilitate the journeys of Uzbek pilgrims to the Kingdom, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.
