BURAIDAH: More than 200 young men have been learning about entrepreneurship and business through buying dates in bulk and selling them at the Buraidah Date Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The month-long event has been organized by the Qassim branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Abdul Aziz Al-Rujaie, the branch general director, said the festival management team was helping young people to get into the trade, harness their skills through sales and purchase operations, and teach them how to trade.
He said the ministry's goal was to help youngsters find good job opportunities or become self-employed.
The men learned sales and marketing techniques and ways to differentiate between date types and varieties in the market. Their daily profits ranged from SR1,500 ($400) to SR3,000.
The popular date festival has also been visited by foreign envoys and representatives from companies. 
A representative from Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture Akm Stesnyagin, who was visiting Saudi Arabia during the second week of August, commended the festival and the participation of young nationals in the event.
Ghana’s envoy to the Kingdom, Mohammed Habibu Tijani, visited the festival on Aug.19.
During his visit, Tijani was briefed about the economics of the market and date auctions. He also met farmers and brokers.
He praised the festival, its diversity of dates, and its ideal economic environment.
