RIYADH: A dedicated date factory will be established after Al-Madinah Heritage Co., the business set up by the Public Investment Fund, signed an agreement with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones to acquire land in Madinah.
The news was announced at the inauguration of the Industry and Local Content Medinah Forum in the presence of Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Madinah region, reported Saudi Pess Agency on Thursday.
The CEO of Al-Madinah Heritage Co., Bandar Al-Qahtani, said the agreement would kickstart the company’s scheme for an integrated date factory in Madinah. Work would begin three months after plans and specifications had been set in accordance with the latest global technologies, he added.
PIF launched the Al-Madinah Heritage Company last September with the aim of improving the production and quality of dates, specifically the Ajwa variety. It also plans to open up new and diverse markets for the dates and related products, both locally and internationally.
The Kingdom produces more than 3.1 tons of dates, according to SPA, with some 34 million fruiting palm trees across the country. The regions are home to more than 10 annual date festivals from July to September, giving farmers an outlet to sell their harvests and produce.
Ajwa dates are considered one of the most important varieties in the world and are the only type mentioned in the Prophet Muhammad’s biography. Distinguished by their dark, almost black, color, Ajwa dates are of high nutritional value. This is attributed to them growing in the middle of Harrat Al-Madinah, a volcanic area rich in minerals.
