JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia ranks second in the world in the production of dates, with a total production of 1.122 million tons from almost 23 million palm trees, or about 17 percent of total global production. But the reality is that the country and its citizens did not benefit as desired of this global excellence.
Saudi dates reach 72 countries that have opened their markets to Saudi products, and could become the second exported product associated with the Kingdom’s name — after oil — due to a comprehensive national plan to promote the industry and maximize benefits to the country and its citizens.
Reaching this goal means strengthening leadership in the field of production, improving processing and marketing of dates and palm trees, as well as promoting investment opportunities, product development, and encouraging manufacturing and sub-industries in the field. Also key is improving the quality of date production to be commensurate with requirements of global markets.
To promote investment opportunities, organizing specialized exhibitions abroad to present varieties of Saudi dates could be given significant advantage and complement to high level government support, experts say. They have called for the establishment of an ozone association or body in the Kingdom to act as a scientific reference and research hub in the region in collaboration with the International Ozone Association.
Sami Al-Akoz, an ozone technology specialist, says the Kingdom’s accession to the International Ozone Association is an important step, and a big leap toward the use of the latest technology for the purpose of maintaining human health.
According to professor of Atmospheric Chemistry in the US, Matthew S. Johnson, says the ozone helps eliminate viruses and harmful bacteria by purifying the air, and food and other agricultural products. On prolonging the life of Saudi dates through the ozone, he said the ozone “preserves fruit quality for a period ranging from several months to a year, and purifies such fruits of insect eggs and larvae, either through evaporation in the field under plastic sheets or by storing dates in closed warehouses.”
Dr. Hassan Naqadi, director of medical services at King Abdulaziz International Airport and supervisor of the previous forum on ozone uses and applications at the airport, says he hopes the new technologies will also be put to use in purifying and sanitizing the air in airplanes and halls after successful trials, especially as research shows the ozone can eliminate germs and microbes.
“Studies and research show that ozone technology can prevent the spread of germs that carry contagious illnesses and cause major harm to people in closed and crowded areas,” said Naser Al-Atbi, a specialist in industrial engineering and a member of the International Ozone Association.
Experts, like Nikolai Burke, who holds a Ph.D. from Copenhagen University, say ozone sterilization has many uses beyond dates.
Burke says there is a need to invent new ideas for marketing Saudi dates, which are considered the finest in the world, as ozone will have a key role in protecting their qualities and limiting germs and microbes, thus allowing for wider exports to other countries.
Experts call for undertaking new technology to promote Saudi dates
Experts call for undertaking new technology to promote Saudi dates
Saudi GEA chief named most influential personality of last decade at MENA Effie Awards
- Turki Alalshikh’s contribution to Kingdom’s entertainment sector honored
RIYADH: The head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority was named the most influential personality of the last decade at the MENA Effie Awards ceremony in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, which was held on Thursday as part of this year’s Riyadh Season calendar, honored Turki Alalshikh’s contribution to the Kingdom’s entertainment sector and its emergence as a global hub for world-class events, the SPA added.
Alalshikh thanked Saudi Arabia’s leadership for their support in his acceptance speech, attributing the achievement to the “collaborative efforts of the nation’s people.”
He added that the recognition was a nod to the Kingdom’s growing global stature in the entertainment sector.
The 15th year of the MENA Effie Awards, which were hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time, celebrated innovation and excellence in the marketing and advertising sectors across the Middle East and North Africa.
This latest accolade followed Alalshikh’s recent distinction as one of the 50 most influential figures in the world of boxing and mixed martial arts, awarded by the British online newspaper The Independent earlier this year.
Under Alalshikh’s leadership, the GEA has transformed the Kingdom’s entertainment sector, with Riyadh Season becoming a flagship event attracting millions of visitors each year.
Gaming community in Saudi Arabia catches them all with Pokemon Go
- Maan Al-Qurashi, one of the community leaders at Pokemon Go Saudi, told Arab News that the game holds a special place in his heart because he has played different versions for more than 20 years
RIYADH: The official launch of Pokemon Go in Saudi Arabia has brought together a community of gamers who have embraced their inner child while competing and connecting in a world of nostalgic adventure.
Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game that creates an immersive experience of a world where human beings co-exist with colorful creatures with otherworldly superpowers, known as Pokemon.
The game, launched internationally in 2016, uses GPS to track movement and invites players to travel to real-world locations to catch Pokemon and battle with others.
A local gaming group, “Pokemon Go Saudi,” has created a lively community with members from Riyadh and the Eastern Province who have a shared love of the game.
Maan Al-Qurashi, one of the community leaders at Pokemon Go Saudi, told Arab News that the game holds a special place in his heart because he has played different versions for more than 20 years.
“Pokemon accompanied me in all stages of my life, from childhood to teenager, and still is a part of my daily life after marriage. Hopefully, I will pass down the same passion to my kids.”
HIGHLIGHT
Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game that creates an immersive experience of a world where human beings co-exist with colorful creatures with otherworldly superpowers, known as Pokemon.
Al-Qurashi said Pokemon Go Saudi began with 10 members in 2017, after the international launch of the game.
Today, the community comprises a diverse group of 500 members from all age groups who have made lasting friendships with their Pokemon partners. As a team, they go on adventures, train to improve their skills, and battle in friendly competitions.
Al-Qurashi said that it is more than a game. It is a community that fosters growth and friendship.
“Multiple in-person activities and relationships have been linked to Pokemon Go. For example, the daily routine is not only going to work and staying with family, it includes playing Pokemon Go even if it’s for a few minutes during the day or an hour or so.”
Last week, more than 5,000 Pokemon Go fans gathered at Boulevard City to celebrate the official launch of the Saudi application. Omar Tellez, vice president at Niantic, said that the event was the largest Pokemon Go event of its kind in the region to date.
“Seeing the joy of the thousands of attendees, of all ages, has been such a delight. The success of today’s event is a testament to the popularity of Pokemon Go here in the Kingdom. The community has really responded.”
Fans from more than 20 countries around the globe registered at the event.
“It’s been incredible to see them unite to catch some of their favorite Pokemon and enjoy their time together in person. That’s what our game is all about.
“We have loved seeing their passion and excitement firsthand – whether through cheering on their teams during the PvP battles, or celebrating that iconic button-press moment — or join forces to catch Mewtwo as the legendary Pokemon took over the Boulevard Screens. The atmosphere was truly something special,” Tellez said.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing incredible growth in gaming with more than 67 percent of the population — more than 23.5 million people — being passionate gamers, Tellez said.
“We are excited to welcome many of them into our global trainers community, and we know this event is just the start of our adventure together as we create new experiences and ways for them to connect here in KSA.”
Today, more than 100 million people play Pokemon Go every year in more than 150 countries and regions, making for more than a billion downloads. Trainers have walked more than 8 billion kilometers collectively while playing the game.
Future cool: Understanding the Saudi national air conditioning replacement scheme
- Initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency
RIYADH: The National Center for Waste Management, also known as MWAN, in collaboration with the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, announced on Thursday the launch of the third phase of the Replace initiative to dispose of old window air conditioners nationwide.
This scheme aims to enhance energy efficiency by replacing 250,000 old window air conditioners that do not meet environmental standards and turning them into recyclable materials during a period that extends until the end of December next year.
The initiative builds on the successes of the first and second phases of the scheme — in which 88,000 window air conditioners were recycled, reducing waste and transforming it into reusable raw materials — and aims to achieve the goals of sustainable development and environmental preservation.
The implementation of the initiative in its third phase will be expanded to include all regions of the Kingdom, in cooperation with the private sector, ensuring the continuity of the initiative and maximizing its positive impact.
MWAN plays a key role in supporting efforts and regulating the sector by supervising the private sector in achieving recycling operations and utilizing the resulting raw materials.
This contributes to building a sustainable economy, enhancing sector regulation and increasing the efficiency of using natural resources.
MWAN works through these endeavors to reduce waste production and promote the adoption of the circular economy, in addition to managing waste in a sustainable way.
It focuses on transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities that reflect its pioneering role.
This is in addition to building effective partnerships with the private sector to ensure the continuity of these efforts and achieve a positive impact on the environment, economy, and society.
Saudi Orchestra dazzles audiences in Tokyo
- Hosted with support of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture
- Concert culminated in collaboration between Saudi Orchestra and Tokyo University of Music Orchestra Academy
TOKYO: The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir gave a finale performance on Friday at the Tokyo Opera City Theater of its “Masterpieces of the Saudi Orchestra” concert, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Tokyo show marked the fifth leg of the Saudi Orchestra’s global run, following critically acclaimed performances in Paris, Mexico City, New York City, and London.
Hosted with the support of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Music Authority, the event showcased a blend of the Kingdom’s rich musical heritage and Japan’s renowned musical traditions, SPA added.
The concert featured 100 musicians and performers, and attracted an audience of officials, business leaders, media professionals, and music enthusiasts.
Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Authority, praised the global impact of the Masterpieces of the Saudi Orchestra performances in his address at the event.
He said the concerts had introduced Saudi musical heritage to the world and represented a step toward sharing the Kingdom’s diverse traditions on an international stage.
The evening featured a performance by the Japanese Imperial Orchestra, presenting ancient Japanese court music with a history spanning over 1,300 years.
The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir also performed an anime medley infused with Saudi musical motifs, followed by a performance of the theme of AlUla, composed by celebrated artist Omar Khairat.
The concert culminated in a collaboration between the Saudi Orchestra and the Tokyo University of Music Orchestra Academy, alongside Japanese artist Hotai.
The Saudi Music Authority said it has plans to continue the tour in new destinations in the coming years.
Riyadh Design Law Treaty signed at intellectual property conference in Saudi Arabia
- Document aims to enhance designers’ rights, unify design registration procedures
RIYADH: Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization officially adopted the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The treaty, which aims to enhance designers’ rights and unify design registration procedures, was finalized at the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, which finished on Friday.
By establishing a robust legal framework, the Riyadh treaty is set to bolster innovation and creativity across multiple industries worldwide, the SPA added.
Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, the CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, spoke of the significance of the treaty’s adoption.
He said: “The name Riyadh treaty reflects Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role as a bridge between cultures and a hub for supporting global initiatives.
“Adopting this treaty is a historic achievement highlighting Saudi Arabia’s cooperation and contribution to the international intellectual property framework. It opens new avenues for collaboration among member states.
“This treaty will lay the foundation for vital legal frameworks that benefit designers and bolster innovation and creativity worldwide.”
The event, which was hosted by the SAIP, gathered high-level representatives and decision-makers from the WIPO’s 193 member states.
