Saudi fund delivers 1,568 housing units in Tunisia

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
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Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
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Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
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Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
4 / 4
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia. (Supplied)
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Saudi fund delivers 1,568 housing units in Tunisia

Saudi fund delivers 1,568 housing units in Tunisia
  • Kingdom’s unwavering support praised by minister

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr and Tunisian Minister for Equipment and Housing Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri have overseen the delivery of 1,568 housing units funded by the Saudi Fund for Development in Bakri city in the Ariana Governorate in northern Tunisia.

Abdullah bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Zahrani, the Saudi fund’s director of North Africa operations, was present at the occasion, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The initial phase of the project, which is being implemented in various governorates of Tunisia, involves the provision of 4,715 social housing units with concessional financing from the Saudi fund totaling $150 million.

The Tunisian minister expressed gratitude and appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its unwavering support.

Al-Saqr congratulated the families benefiting from the project, which is designed to provide adequate accommodation for Tunisian citizens.

He pledged the Saudi fund’s commitment to carrying out all of its guaranteed development projects in the various regions of Tunisia.

An $85 million contract was signed last month to construct and equip the King Salman bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Kairouan, Tunisia, through the SFD.

The project aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, establishing Kairouan as a regional health hub for the northwest and central regions.

This will reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment and help bridge the development gap between Tunisian regions, promoting social growth and stimulating economic activity.

The Saudi fund has already provided Tunisia with funding for 32 development projects and programs through development soft loans totaling more than $1.23 billion.

In addition, Saudi Arabia has provided four grants through the fund, amounting to more than $105 million, to support various development sectors in Tunisia.


KSrelief, WFP agree to provide food aid to Yemen

KSrelief, WFP agree to provide food aid to Yemen
Updated 11 min 2 sec ago
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KSrelief, WFP agree to provide food aid to Yemen

KSrelief, WFP agree to provide food aid to Yemen
  • Under the terms of the agreement, 13,798 tons of essential food items will be distributed
  • The program will support activities that drive resilience by providing conditional financial assistance to participating families

JEDDAH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with the UN World Food Program at a high-level conference in Jeddah to provide $25 million in food aid to the most vulnerable families in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The agreement was signed at the OIC Donor Conference to Support Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, co-hosted by KSrelief and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
It was signed by KSrelief’s senior adviser for medical and humanitarian research, Dr. Ziyad Meemish, and the WFP’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Carl Skau.
Under the terms of the agreement, 13,798 tons of essential food items will be distributed, and the program will support activities that drive resilience by providing conditional financial assistance to participating families, to establish and rehabilitate resources that support the food chain over six cycles.
The initiative will directly benefit 546,364 individuals and indirectly assist a further 57,313 people in the governorates of Hudaydah, Dhale, Marib, Al-Bayda, Hadhramaut, Al-Mahrah, and Socotra.
Supervisor-general of KSrelief, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, held several meetings at the conference.
He met with Skau and the two sides discussed the latest developments in KSrelief-WFP projects, which provide essential food aid and improve living conditions in needy communities.
Skau commended the Kingdom’s significant humanitarian role, exercised through KSrelief.
Al-Rabeeah also met with UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya.
The two officials discussed cooperation and issues of common interest pertaining to relief and humanitarian affairs, as well as key topics tackled at the conference.
Additionally, Al-Rabeeah held a meeting with UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations Ted Chaiban.
They discussed humanitarian and relief efforts, particularly global support for children.


Farmer preserves millet cultivation tradition

Farmer preserves millet cultivation tradition
Updated 26 October 2024
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Farmer preserves millet cultivation tradition

Farmer preserves millet cultivation tradition

RIYADH: Hussein Al-Ghamdi, an 80-year-old farmer from Al-Makhwah governorate in the Baha region, has dedicated his life to preserving the ancient tradition of millet cultivation in the Shada Mountains.

By utilizing the region’s natural resources, he has transformed barren slopes into fertile terraces producing various crops, with millet as a staple, reports the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Ghamdi is passionate about agriculture and committed to passing on the tradition to future generations.

Millet, a resilient crop which is suited to the region’s arid climate, is an ingredient in local cuisine and is used to make dishes like bread and porridge. Its versatility and nutritional value have made it a staple food for centuries.

In recent years, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has recognized the importance of preserving the cultivation of millet.

It has initiated efforts to modernize farming practices to promote the crop’s nutritional benefits while expanding its cultivation area.

The annual millet festival in Al-Makhwah has also significantly revitalized the tradition and inspired younger generations to embrace agriculture.

By blending innovation with tradition, Al-Ghamdi continues to enhance the region’s food security and cultural heritage.


Riyadh expo to boost pet care awareness

Riyadh expo to boost pet care awareness
Updated 26 October 2024
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Riyadh expo to boost pet care awareness

Riyadh expo to boost pet care awareness
  • The three-day exhibition will feature workshops, meetings and lectures

RIYADH: The third Saudi Pet & Vet Expo, the only pet exhibition in the Kingdom, will be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from Oct. 28-30.

The three-day exhibition will feature workshops, meetings and lectures addressing topics such as animal healthcare, disease prevention and modern veterinary care techniques.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will sponsor the event, creating an annual platform for local and international experts to exchange knowledge in veterinary medicine and pet care.

More than 120 exhibitors from 16 countries will showcase a range of products and services, including veterinary clinics, pet food companies, pet supply stores, vaccine manufacturers and animal welfare organizations.

It will also help to raise awareness about the importance of investing in the sector, encouraging pet adoption and promoting responsible ownership.

The event is expected to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors and raise awareness about pet care and welfare.

The Saudi Arabian market for pet care is estimated at about SR4.4 billion ($1.2 billion), with a growth rate exceeding 9 percent annually, according to statistics published on the expo’s official website.

Saudi Arabia also imports pet and bird food from 18 countries worldwide, including the US, Spain, Germany, Italy, Thailand, France, Turkiye, China and India.


Kingdom arrests 20,896 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 20,896 illegals in one week
Updated 26 October 2024
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Kingdom arrests 20,896 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 20,896 illegals in one week
  • A further 107 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 20,896 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

According to an official report, a total of 11,930 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,649 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,317 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,374 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 55 percent were Ethiopian, 43 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 107 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 24 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


$106k falcon chick steals the show in Riyadh auction

$106k falcon chick steals the show in Riyadh auction
Updated 26 October 2024
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$106k falcon chick steals the show in Riyadh auction

$106k falcon chick steals the show in Riyadh auction
  • Chick presented by falconers Sanafi and Mutlaq Al-Dosari became the priciest bird sold at the auction

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club’s auction featured the sale of the most expensive peregrine falcon chick, from the Al-Dabdaba area of Hafr Al-Batin governorate.

A chick presented by falconers Sanafi and Mutlaq Al-Dosari became the priciest bird sold at the auction, fetching SR400,000 ($106,000), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event began on Oct. 1 and continues until Nov. 15 at the club’s Malham headquarters near Riyadh.

With a starting bid of SR60,000 and amid intense competition, the Al-Dabdaba falcon’s sale surpassed a bird sold for SR240,000 a few days ago.

Mutlaq Al-Dosari was happy at the outcome, noting that it was his first time participating at the event.

He praised the considerable efforts of the Saudi Falcons Club and the benefits it provides to falconers.

Al-Dosari added: “I received many offers outside the auction, but I insisted on selling it through the Saudi Falcons Club’s auction.”

He noted that the bidding process for his falcon took between five and six minutes.

The club offers extensive services to falconers throughout the hunting season, including housing and transporting birds to the auction site from various regions.

The auction is broadcast live on television and social media, making for fast-paced, competitive bidding, the SPA added.

It plays a significant role in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural, economic, and historic heritage, in line with Vision 2030.

The event supports falconry activities and aims to develop the local auction market, positioning it as a global hub for enthusiasts.

During the club’s first auction in 2020, total sales exceeded SR10 million. The second auction brought SR8.3 million, the third over SR7 million, and the fourth SR10 million.