The first honey festival in Abha has concluded after a week full of activities.
Aayed Al-Muhaya, head of the Saudi Beekeepers Cooperative Association (SBCA), said 26 beekeepers participated in the festival. They came from Riyadh, Al-Baha, Buljurashi, Al-Nammas, Al-Mekheat, Abha Rejal Almaei, Khamis Mushayt and Surrat Obaidah, he said, adding that more than 30,000 visitors attended the weeklong festival which yielded revenues exceeding SR1.8 million.
Al-Muhaya explained that the revenues came from an auction that took place during the first three days of the festival and from the sales of the participants.
There were a number of varieties of honey on sale including 10 tons of Sedra, Talah, Samar and Majarah. The price of one kilo of honey ranged between SR200 and SR600, depending on its quality, he added.
He pointed out that the last day of the festival yielded the biggest revenues for one individual beekeeper who made a wholesale transaction worth SR100,000.
The head of the SBCA said the prominent feature of this first festival of its kind is that the majority of beekeepers had agreed to embark on the works of their association to serve their best interests in terms of marketing, exporting, obtaining visas for foreign labor they need, solving the problems they face and providing a big financial subsidy in case of damages, in addition to providing tools, treatments and vitamins at affordable prices.
The association intends to hold a second chapter of the festival next year, said the head of association. He thanked the Asir municipality for providing a special laboratory that measures the quality of honey and detects fake products.
On the question of honey export, he said that the majority of beekeepers sell and market their products on their own. They aspire to establish a Saudi union so that they can export their products abroad, especially to Australia, Germany, Turkey, France and New Zealand.
Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled, who is the head of the tourism development council, said during the inauguration of the festival that honey is the main product in the area, and is of the best quality in the Kingdom.
The Asir region produces more than 12 tons of honey annually. The production is sold to local consumers and exported to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other provinces across the country.
Honey fest generates SR1.8m in revenues
Honey fest generates SR1.8m in revenues
Saudi, Australian defense ministers meet in Riyadh
- Prince Khalid, Richard Marles discuss latest developments in region
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday received his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, at his office in Riyadh.
The pair discussed relations between their countries as well as the latest developments in the region, including efforts to support security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A number of other senior officials from the two sides attended the meeting. Marles is also Australia’s deputy prime minister.
Riyadh events industry conference draws to a close
- Industry leaders highlight investment opportunities
- 3-day summit saw numerous deals agreed
RIYADH: Experts in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector spoke to Arab News about the need for international collaboration and local investment on the last day of industry talks in Riyadh.
On the final day of the International MICE Summit on Tuesday, business leaders highlighted how the booming industry offered unique opportunities for job creation and investment.
The three-day event covered sector-related issues and hosted the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding.
Six Saudi ministers took part in IMS24, which was organized by the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority. A total of 20 speaking sessions and 19 workshops were held, and eight MoUs signed.
IMS24 also witnessed companies including RX Global, Messe Munich, and Clarion announce the opening of new offices in Saudi Arabia, in preparation for 12 new events due to start in 2025.
Faisal Al-Rajhi, CEO of Almatar Travel Group, told Arab News that the Kingdom’s hosting of numerous exhibitions and conferences in recent years had helped it become a pioneering destination for the MICE industry.
Exhibitions and conferences were boosting job growth and offering local investors the chance to gain valuable insights from international experts, he added.
Mansour Al-Jabarty, CEO of YNZ, said IMS24 was an ideal platform for those seeking to gain expertise in the field and held exceptional significance given Saudi Arabia’s prominence in hosting such events.
Bilal Al-Barmawi, CEO and managing director of 1st Arabia, stressed the importance of building partnerships to increase MICE capabilities, while Ahmed Al-Saif, chairman of Max Group, added local investment in the sector had become an urgent necessity for companies seeking to go global.
The MICE segment was a key driver of economic growth, and the Saudi market was now an attractive destination for foreign investment, he added. This would not have been realized without the boom in exhibitions and conferences that the Kingdom has witnessed in recent times.
Saudi deputy foreign minister calls Sudanese parties to commit to Jeddah talks
- Al-Khuraiji welcomed extending the opening of Adre border crossing with Chad
- He said solution in Sudan begins with a cessation of fighting
RIYADH: Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Saudi deputy minister of foreign affairs, participated in the third round of Sudanese peace talks in Mauritania on Wednesday.
Al-Khuraiji affirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment toward the Sudanese people and highlighted its efforts to mediate in the ongoing conflict between warring parties, which began in April 2023 and has since displaced thousands of people in Sudan.
A month following the onset of the conflict, Saudi Arabia hosted talks in Jeddah with Sudanese parties and the US, resulting in a short-term ceasefire agreement and a commitment to protect civilians while reinstating security and stability in Sudan.
Al-Khuraiji said that “the solution to the Sudanese crisis begins with a cessation of fighting and strengthening the humanitarian response of the Sudanese people.”
He urged the Sudanese warring parties to adhere to the Jeddah agreement of May 2023, which he said serves as the foundation for Sudan’s political future, unity, and sovereignty, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Al-Khuraiji praised the Sudanese Armed Forces for extending the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad, used by humanitarian agencies for aid delivery, as well as the opening of airports in Kassala, Ndola, and El-Obeid.
Manga pavilion a big hit at Jeddah Book Fair
- Japanese art form inspiring a new generation in the Kingdom, experts say
- Nouf Al-Hussein highlighted the urgent need for Arabic content that resonates with young people
JEDDAH: A colorful array of manga characters and comic books is capturing the attention of passers-by at the Jeddah Book Fair’s Manga Arabia pavilion.
The fair, themed “Jeddah Reads,” has dedicated a significant portion of its space to manga, with the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the event organizer, setting up 26 stands showcasing a range of manga characters and stories.
Mahmoud Attar, an animation expert visiting the fair, told Arab News that manga’s influence in Saudi Arabia is undeniable.
“From ‘Duke Fleed’ and ‘Treasure Island’ captivating ’80s children to the ‘Captain Majid’ and ‘Pokemon’ craze of the ’90s, these animated series, adapted from Japanese manga, have been a staple in Saudi homes for decades,” he said.
Attar added this popularity reached new heights with “Detective Conan” and other shows, drawing children to the screen to unravel intricate mysteries.
Fares Sambawa, a vendor at the manga pavilion who has been selling anime and manga since 2014, said that manga, which originated in Japan, is now inspiring other countries.
“Japanese manga has gained worldwide popularity because it addresses values and seeks to instill them in young people. This makes it appealing not only to children, but also older age groups,” he said.
Speaking about his own approach as a vendor in the Manga space, Sambawa said: “The characters I sell in my store are part of an interconnected chain. It starts with a novel, which is adapted into manga, then animated into a cartoon or series.”
The fair also hosted a seminar entitled “Manga: Between Word and Image,” exploring the world of graphic novels.
Industry leaders Abbas Hamidaddin and Nouf Al-Hussein, guided by moderator Taghreed Al-Tassan, shared insights on essential techniques and the future of the genre.
Al-Hussein highlighted the urgent need for Arabic content that resonates with young people.
She described manga as an innovative and exciting medium for enriching Arabic storytelling, underscoring its potential to bring Arab culture to a global audience.
“Manga provides a dynamic visual medium that resonates with children and young adults, especially those between the ages of 9 and 15,” she said.
“However, when translating or adapting manga for Arabic-speaking audiences, it’s essential to ensure the content aligns with our cultural values and ethics.”
Al-Hussein underscored the importance of nurturing young people’s creativity.
She believes artificial intelligence can be a powerful ally, enhancing creative output and helping children develop essential skills for innovation and success in today’s competitive world.
Al-Hussein said that manga magazines are cultivating a new generation of Saudi and Arab artists, providing a platform for them to share their voices with the world. This global reach is achieved through meticulous translation, editing, and proofreading processes handled by Saudi professionals.
Hamidaddin spoke about how manga can inspire a love of reading in children and teens. He emphasized the dedication of key figures in fostering a thriving Saudi animation industry, powered by local talent.
“Exporting Saudi culture through manga requires cultivating a conscious generation capable of effectively communicating with the world. This will bolster manga’s position as a soft power tool for disseminating our culture,” he said.
The seminar showcased manga’s potential as a dynamic tool for cultural expression and creativity. It presented a bold vision for the future, one that aims to strengthen Arab identity and share its rich culture with the world.
“To truly share Saudi culture through manga, we need to foster a generation of young people who are not only creative but also globally aware and able to connect with audiences worldwide,” Hamidaddin said.
“This will establish manga as a powerful platform for showcasing our culture on a global stage.”
Hamidaddin said that creating exciting and engaging stories is crucial for any comic when it comes to capturing the attention of readers.
“If we want to use manga effectively as a way to share our culture, we need a constant flow of fresh ideas and a commitment to sustainable growth. This will pave the way for a vibrant future for this exciting art form.”
The event runs until Dec. 21 and features over 450 pavilions, with more than 1,000 publishing houses and agencies from 22 countries taking part.
Entry is free with admission from 11 a.m. to midnight daily, except on Fridays when it opens from 2 p.m. until midnight.
An inspiration to many — the ‘Bedouin from Brooklyn’
- Embracing his identity as ‘a Bedouin from Brooklyn,’ Inzerillo shared his journey and insights in a session called ‘From Brooklyn to Diriyah’
- Jerry Inzerillo: ‘I came to Saudi Arabia in 1998, and I have always been blessed with Saudi friends who have been warm and generous’
RIYADH: On the first day of the Impact Makers Forum in Riyadh, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo captivated audiences with his unique story.
Embracing his identity as “a Bedouin from Brooklyn,” Inzerillo shared his journey and insights in a session called “From Brooklyn to Diriyah”.
He emphasized the power of hard work, saying: “We are very hard-working people.” Recalling a lesson learned from the Qur’an, he added: “May Allah accept all our good intentions, and may our good intentions turn into good deeds. These are not just words; they are blessed words for your life’s submission.”
Inzerillo recounted a moment from a dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where a former Italian prime minister praised the Kingdom’s transformative vision for 2030.
Quoting the crown prince’s response, he said: “Always surround yourself with passionate people. Passion is the fuel of ambition.” He added: “If you see joy in serving, it will carry you through a long career.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Inzerillo said: “I came to Saudi Arabia in 1998, and I have always been blessed with Saudi friends who have been warm and generous.”
On the Kingdom’s recent opening to tourism, he said: “This is a historic time in Saudi Arabia.”
Urging attendees to dream big, he added: “Everything in this Kingdom is accomplishable. The future is very bright for this blessed Kingdom.”
Inzerillo highlighted the rapid progress and achievements under the Crown Prince’s leadership, including hosting the 2030 World Expo, AFC Asian Cup 2027 and FIFA World Cup 2034.
He concluded with an empowering message: “You are the captains of your ship. You will determine your future.”
He encouraged everyone to serve with their hearts, reminding them that while the path may not always be easy, it will be noble.
The Impact Makers Forum, which ends on Dec. 19, is hosted by the Ministry of Media and aims to redefine influence and enrich social values. It brings together over 300 global influencers, industry experts and digital content creators and has a focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange.
