RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has approved grants for 20 coffee research projects from both the Kingdom and abroad, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Saudi Coffee Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, aims to encourage research that focuses on Saudi coffee as part of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.
Grants will help researchers and specialists from a range of fields who are interested in studying various aspects of coffee.
Researchers will be provided with financial and scholarly support throughout the research process, extending to the publication of scientific papers.
The grants encompassed three primary tracks: focus on coffee in the Arabian Peninsula, delving into its historical origins, manufacturing processes and proliferation within the Kingdom; explore the intangible cultural heritage surrounding Saudi coffee, examining the associated knowledge, skills, social traditions, practices and cultural handicrafts; bolster local content by supporting Saudi coffee production, enhancing its competitiveness and contributing to the transformation of the Saudi economy into a sustainable model.
The initiative is part of the Year of Saudi Coffee 2022, launched by the Ministry of Culture with support from the Quality of Life Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs.
In collaboration with the Culinary Arts Commission, the initiative aims to study the Saudi coffee market, preserve the national cultural heritage and values, highlight the cultural significance associated with Saudi coffee, promote national identity, and foster the global dissemination of Saudi coffee culture.
