Al-Baha festival provides economic benefits to farmers

Al-Baha festival provides economic benefits to farmers
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The seasonal festival provided a valuable opportunity for all farmers in the region to showcase their agricultural products, including various types of fruits, olives, honey, and their derivatives. (SPA)
Al-Baha festival provides economic benefits to farmers
2 / 2
The seasonal festival provided a valuable opportunity for all farmers in the region to showcase their agricultural products, including various types of fruits, olives, honey, and their derivatives. (SPA)
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Updated 17 July 2024
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Al-Baha festival provides economic benefits to farmers

Al-Baha festival provides economic benefits to farmers
  • Influx of visitors results in increased sales 

AL-BAHA: More than 45 farmers, beekeepers, and small business owners participated in the fourth Khayrat Al-Baha Festival. 

Organized by the region’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the seasonal festival provided a valuable opportunity for all farmers in the region to showcase their agricultural products, including various types of fruits, olives, honey, and their derivatives.

Several of the participating farmers said that the event provided them with considerable marketing and selling opportunities.

Farmers said their sales had increased each year due to the influx of visitors for the festival, which first hit the calendar in 2021.

One of them, Saleh Al-Ghamdi, pointed out that the festival was one of the most important economic and tourism events in the region.

Ali bin Aoun, another farmer, said that the Khayrat Al-Baha Festival had contributed to the development of the agricultural sector, especially olive production and derivatives in the region, and had encouraged producers to expand their projects. 

He noted that it provided opportunities to market, promote, and introduce products, in addition to exchanging experiences with other farmers and connecting with companies to stay updated on the latest developments in agricultural technologies.

The agricultural sector in the Al-Baha region, including Sarat and Tihama, provides an essential part of the region’s tourism identity.


Saudi Islamic affairs minister visits Al-Azhar University in Cairo

Saudi Islamic affairs minister visits Al-Azhar University in Cairo
Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Islamic affairs minister visits Al-Azhar University in Cairo

Saudi Islamic affairs minister visits Al-Azhar University in Cairo
  • Minister given an overview of the university’s various colleges, departments

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh visited Al-Azhar University on Sunday as part of his participation in the 35th International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Cairo.

The minister met Salama Dawood, the president of Al-Azhar University, accompanied by the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, and several university officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister was given an overview of the university’s various colleges and departments and engaged in discussions about potential cooperation in scientific and research fields.

Al-Asheikh praised the university for its efforts in promoting the values of moderation globally, expressing his appreciation for the institution’s contribution.

He also emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration in scientific areas for the mutual benefit of both Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Dawood highlighted the strong ties between the Kingdom and Egypt, underlining the significance of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the conference and its leading role in advancing the principles of Islamic moderation.
 


Palestinian president arrives in Riyadh

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Updated 26 August 2024
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Palestinian president arrives in Riyadh

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

He was received at King Khalid International Airport by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and other officials. 


Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle nearly 350,000 pills from Iraqi border

Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle nearly 350,000 pills from Iraqi border
Updated 26 August 2024
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Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle nearly 350,000 pills from Iraqi border

Saudi authorities foil attempt to smuggle nearly 350,000 pills from Iraqi border
  • Pills were discovered concealed within a shipment labeled as “equipment used in polishing tiles"

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 349,710 Captagon pills into the Kingdom through the Jadidat Arar land crossing on the border with Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority said that the pills were discovered concealed within a shipment labeled as “equipment used in polishing tiles.”
Upon arrival at the port, the shipment was subjected to rigorous customs procedures, including inspection through advanced security technologies and live methods, which led to the discovery of the hidden narcotics.
Following the seizure, the authority coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to apprehend the intended recipients of the illicit shipment within Saudi Arabia. As a result, four individuals were arrested.
The authority reiterated its commitment to tightening customs controls over the Kingdom's imports and exports, emphasizing its dedication to thwarting smuggling attempts. This effort comes as part of of the authority’s broader strategy to enhance security and protect society by curbing the infiltration of drugs and other prohibited items.
The authority called on the public to help in the fight against smuggling to protect society and the national economy by contacting the 1910 number designated for security reports, or via email [email protected], or the international number 00966114208417.
Whistle-blowers can report smuggling and customs violations through these channels in strict confidentiality, and will receive a financial reward if their information is correct.
 


Saudi Arabia’s Baysh Dam opens gates to accommodate heavy rainfall

Saudi Arabia’s Baysh Dam opens gates to accommodate heavy rainfall
Updated 26 August 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s Baysh Dam opens gates to accommodate heavy rainfall

Saudi Arabia’s Baysh Dam opens gates to accommodate heavy rainfall
  • Manage incoming water from rainfall to support agricultural activities, irrigate farms, replenish wells

RIYADH: The Saudi Irrigation Organization on Monday opened the gates of the Baysh Dam in the Jazan region to discharge water and lower the dam’s lake levels, which currently hold 117.7 million cubic meters, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The decision is intended to manage incoming water from ongoing rainfall, support agricultural activities, irrigate farms, replenish wells and groundwater, and enhance vegetation along the valley.
It follows a forecast from the Kingdom’s National Center for Meteorology, which predicted continued thunderstorms across various regions, potentially bringing heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds. These conditions could lead to flash floods and sandstorms in Najran, Jazan, Aseer, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah.
The dam gates were opened in coordination with authorities in Bisha Governorate as part of an ongoing response to the current rainy season. This plan includes a comprehensive approach, supported by both human resources and preparedness for emergency situations.
Wadi Baysh Dam is among the largest and tallest dams in Saudi Arabia, and its purified water plays a crucial role in supporting desalination projects that provide drinking water to citizens and residents in the Jazan and Asir regions.
 


KSrelief provides medical aid to Yemen, Jordan, Iraq

KSrelief provides medical aid to Yemen, Jordan, Iraq
Updated 26 August 2024
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KSrelief provides medical aid to Yemen, Jordan, Iraq

KSrelief provides medical aid to Yemen, Jordan, Iraq

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, continues to offer healthcare to displaced persons in Yemen, Jordan and Iraq.

KSrelief’s mobile medical clinics in the Wallan camp of the Hajjah governorate helped 444 Yemenis over the month, offering emergency care, disease control, internal medicine, reproductive health, nursing, surgery, and dressing services.

In Jordan, KSrelief provided vital medical services to 2,301 patients in the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees in one week.

The Saudi aid agency also delivered 15 tonnes of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health in Iraq to help it provide health services to citizens, displaced persons, and refugees in its territory.

The KSrelief team delivered the aid to Dr. Saman Al-Barzanji, minister of health in the Kurdistan Region, in preparation for distribution to hospitals and health facilities there.

Since its establishment in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,041 projects worth almost $7 billion in 102 countries in cooperation with 448 local, regional, and international partners.