Tag: Saudi Arabian World Records

SAUDI ARABIA unveils Jeddah Food Cluster, the World’s Largest Food Park , eyes $5.3bn in investments

 Saudi Arabia has officially launched the Jeddah Food Cluster, a major project aimed at transforming the city into a global business hub with an investment target of SR20 billion ($5.3 billion).

Spanning 11 million sq. meters, the cluster is now recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest food park in the world by area. The development is expected to create over 43,000 jobs, driving both local and national economic growth.

The opening ceremony, held on Nov. 24, was led by Prince Saud bin Mishal, deputy governor of Makkah, under the patronage of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah region. It was attended by high-ranking officials, including Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef.

The inauguration of the cluster aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to strengthen food security, achieve self-sufficiency, develop food value chains, and establish the Kingdom as a regional hub for attracting both domestic and international investment in the food sector.

Located in Jeddah’s Second and Third Industrial Cities, the Jeddah Food Cluster is part of a larger industrial network in the Makkah region, which also includes industrial cities in Makkah and Taif. This region, which spans more than 50 million sq. meters, hosts over 2,000 industrial facilities specializing in sectors such as food production, pharmaceuticals, metals, and chemicals. The new food cluster is designed to enhance industrial productivity through cutting-edge infrastructure and strategic investments in key enablers.

Currently, the cluster houses 124 operational factories with investments totaling SR4.4 billion. These factories are estimated to produce around 4 million tonnes of goods annually across 10 industrial sectors and provide jobs for over 7,000 workers.

It also features 76 ready-to-use factories that comply with Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards. Additionally, the cluster has built a central laboratory to improve food quality and safety, as well as over 134,000 sq. meters of shared cold and dry storage facilities. By concentrating suppliers in one location, the cluster aims to create a sustainable, efficient supply chain.

The economic impact of the Jeddah Food Cluster is expected to be substantial, with national exports projected to increase by SR8 billion. The development is also anticipated to create thousands of job opportunities, particularly in the industrial and logistics sectors, and contribute approximately SR7 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP over the next decade. This aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, which aim to foster economic diversification and sustainable growth.

At the ceremony, MODON, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, announced that the Jeddah Food Cluster had achieved a significant milestone, receiving recognition from a global organization. Prince Saud also toured an exhibition showcasing the involvement of private companies and government entities in the food supply chain. This was followed by the presentation of the global recognition certificate.

Several memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed during the event. These partnerships, which include collaborations with Umm Al-Qura University, the National Academy for Industry, and Halal Products Development Co., focus on developing specialized training programs, improving food safety, and promoting quality control within the food industry.

Alkhorayef, in his speech, emphasized that the Jeddah Food Cluster represents more than just an industrial project—it is a key element in the Kingdom’s broader strategy for sustainable economic growth.

“Through this cluster, we aim to leverage the ministry’s capabilities to serve Jeddah, the Kingdom’s economic hub, and a prime investment destination,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers to boost innovation and competitiveness, as well as to create new job opportunities, particularly for Saudi youth.

On the sidelines of the event, a panel discussion titled “The Future of Global Food Supply Chain Resilience for Innovation and Sustainability” was held, featuring industry leaders such as Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Badr, CEO of Almarai, Betty Ka, director of supply chain and delivery at the UN World Food Program, and Fabio Maia de Oliveira, general investment director at JBS Saudi Arabia. The panel explored strategies for building resilient and sustainable global food supply chains.

The launch of the Jeddah Food Cluster marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global leader in the food industry.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef attends the ceremony to launch Jeddah Food Cluster. SPA

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA : Jouf breaks 02 Guinness records for the ‘World’s Largest’ & the ‘World’s most modern, organic olive farms’

Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz has praised the country’s leaders and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for supporting the region’s record-breaking developmental and economic initiatives.

Prince Faisal made the comments during a ceremony marking the region’s achievements, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

The certificates honored the company for having the world’s largest and most modern organic olive farm, the SPA reported.

The event was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Rujai, director general of the ministry in the Jouf region. 

Prince Faisal said: “We take pride in the national accomplishments that the Kingdom’s Vision 2023 has realized in promoting self-sufficiency and achieving food security.”

Badawood thanked Prince Faisal for his dedication to serving the people of the region. 

He said Jouf’s agricultural, environmental and water purification projects provide a model for others to follow.

The awarding of the two certificates coincided with Organic Food Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, which the Kingdom marked with a series of events across the country. 

Organic Food Day is aimed at encouraging people to make healthy dietary choices and embodies efforts to achieve sustainable food security, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. 

The ministry aims to encourage farmers to adopt organic farming practices, educate consumers, as well as promote resource sustainability and local production.

As a part of the celebrations, Riyadh is hosting the Saudi International Exhibition for Organic Products from Nov. 11 to 13 to support the local community, and position the nation as a leading hub in this growing sector.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Two certificates were presented by Guinness World Records representative Kenzi Al-Dafrawi to Mazen Badawood, CEO of the Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co.

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SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI, U.A.E. / SAUDI ARABIA : DEWA and ACWA Power sign landmark agreement for world’s largest solar-powered desalination plant

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), signed a 30-year water purchaser agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for phase 1 of the Hassyan sea water desalination project using solar power. The project is part of DEWA’s efforts to increase its water desalination capacity to 730 MIGD by 2030, from 490 MIGD at present.  The project aligns with Dubai’s unparalleled economic growth and the Emirate’s thriving construction sector. This complements the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, addresses the substantial population growth, and meets the steadily increasing demand for water in domestic, commercial, and other consumer sectors.

The agreement was signed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA; and Mr. Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman and Founder of ACWA Power. Officials from both entities were present.

Last August, DEWA announced ACWA Power as the ‘Preferred Bidder’ for the construction and operation of the 180 Million Imperial Gallon per Day (MIGD) Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Hassyan Phase 1 Independent Water Producer (IWP) project, with an investment of AED 3.357 billion (USD 914 million). The allocated land area for the project is 252,300 square metres. DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of 0.36536 USD/m³ of desalinated water. This project is the largest of its kind in the world for water production based on Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology using solar energy. It is DEWA’s first Independent Water Producer (IWP) model project. The water desalination capacity in Dubai is currently 490 MIGD. This capacity will increase to 670 MIGD in 2026 with the completion of this project.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed a 30-year water purchaser agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for phase 1 of the Hassyan sea water desalination project using solar power

“We are pleased to sign the agreement with ACWA Power. This project supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance water supplies in Dubai from sustainable sources and achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. We are building water production plants based on Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) technology which require less energy than Multi-Stage Flash distillation (MSF) plants, making it a more sustainable choice for water desalination. By 2030, DEWA aims to produce 100% of desalinated water by a mix of clean energy and waste heat,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said: “We ensure the continuation of the 100% availability of DEWA’s services according to the world’s highest levels of availability, reliability, and efficiency thanks to our state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies. This is based on innovation and sound scientific planning so that we contribute to making the UAE the world’s leading nation by its centennial in 2071.”

Mohammad A. Abunayyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ACWA Power, said: “This agreement between ACWA Power and DEWA is another example of the strong collaboration between ourselves and our valued partners in the United Arab Emirates. The Hassyan IWP will be the largest plant of its kind in the world, and we have set a new record for the lowest levelised water tariff. The plant will be highly efficient, desalinating water through reverse osmosis powered by solar energy. With our years of experience in the industry, ACWA Power has ambitious aims and we are proud of continually breaking records through innovation and using new technologies to enhance water security. With this project, we are reaffirming our commitment with our partners towards achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.”

source/content: smartwatermagazine.com (headline edited)

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The Hassyan IWP in Dubai will have a production capacity of 180 million gallons per day of desalinated wate

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA Elected as Vice President of UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport in the meeting in Paris

Saudi Arabia was elected vice president of the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport through 2025 during a meeting at the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization headquarters in Paris on Friday.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 191 countries.

Abdulaziz Al-Massaad, undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, who will fill the UNESCO post, praised the unlimited support of sports offered by the Saudi leadership, and highlighted the directives of Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.

Al-Massaad emphasized that the Saudi leadership is keen to ensure the Kingdom’s participation in various international sporting forums and events.

Al-Massaad thanked the Kingdom’s ambassador to France, Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili; the secretary-general of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Bulahid; and the staff of the Kingdom’s permanent delegation to UNESCO for their efforts.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA: ‘World’s Largest Sustainable Farm’ in Wadi bin Hashbal, Asir Region is key to Saudi Arabia’s Agricultural Goals

Saudi Arabia imports about 80 percent of its fruit. But a sustainable farm in Wadi bin Hashbal, in the southwest Asir region, is setting out to reduce that figure by producing up to 60 tons of fruit, field crops and fodder each year.

The sustainable farm, recently recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world, uses treated water to irrigate crops planted across a 3.2 million square meter area.

Irrigation operations are overseen by specialists and carried out in several stages, minimizing the impact on freshwater resources, and promoting responsible water management practices.

This approach aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to address water scarcity and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural activities.

The model farm has more than 14,000 trees and houses five air-conditioned greenhouses along with several other structures. It also includes 50 fields designated for growing fruit trees, in addition to plans to reclaim and cultivate 20 additional fields in the future.

A wide range of crops and fruit trees, including lemons, oranges, tangerines, pomegranates, grapes and figs, highlight the Kingdom’s agricultural diversity.

Speaking to Arab News, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Mujthal, director-general of the Ministry of Environment and Water’s Asir branch, described the research farm as “a new achievement in the name of the nation.”

“It marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia toward sustainable farming. This remarkable achievement also showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to agriculture and environmental conservation,” he said.

The farm also shows that “with the right combination of innovation and commitment, a sustainable future is within our reach.”

Al-Mujthal added: “When you’re talking about something this large, the economics work out well. So, it turns out to be a very profitable farm.”

Model farms display modern irrigation systems, as well as the latest cultivation and animal-rearing techniques, acquainting farmers in the region with the best agricultural practices, he said.

The approach is important to provide food for local communities and reduce reliance on imported products.

“Food security is a matter of national security,” he said.

Al-Mujthal said that the sustainable farm expects to produce 10,700 kg of lemons, 3,500 kg of tangerines, 4,200 kg of oranges and 16,000 kg of pomegranate, among other crops.

According to World Wide Fund for Nature, agriculture is the world’s largest industry, employing more than 1 billion people and generating over $1.3 trillion of food annually. Pasture and cropland occupy about half of the planet’s habitable land, and provide habitat and food for a host of species.

Food security is a priority in Saudi Arabia and sustainable agriculture is gaining widespread attention.

Agricultural operations that are sustainably managed can preserve and restore critical habitats, help protect watersheds, and improve soil health and water quality, while unsustainable practices can have serious impacts on people and the environment.

Sustainable development that aims to capitalize on renewable natural resources is one of Saudi Arabia’s main objectives. The Kingdom also seeks to maintain a stable balance of natural resources through safe and effective management methods.

Resource management is becoming more important as the Saudi population grows, driving up demand for agricultural commodities.

As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has formulated plans to increase the use of technology, promote organic farming and increase the use of water-saving methods.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The sustainable farm was recently recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA: With $1.1tn Investment, Saudi Arabia to become the World’s Biggest Construction Site: Knight Frank

Following the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in 2016, the Kingdom is on its way to becoming the world’s biggest construction site with a total investment of SR4.13 trillion ($1.1 trillion) in infrastructure and real estate projects, according to global real estate consultancy Knight Frank.

The real estate firm projected that Riyadh’s population will reach 17 million by 2030, up from about 7.5 million today. The city has unveiled real estate projects worth $104 billion since the Kingdom’s National Transformation Plan launch in 2016.

“Vision 2030 has lit the embers of excitement across the Kingdom, and with NEOM positioned as a crown jewel in the transformative plans, people are eager to be part of history,” Faisal Durrani, partner and head of Middle East research, Knight Frank told Arab News.

Saudi Arabia will easily become the largest construction site in history, with planned construction projects in the Kingdom being over 555,000 residential units, over 275,000 hotel keys, over 4.3 million square meters of retail space, and over 6.1 million square meters of office space, Durrani said.

The consultancy firm is currently monitoring 15 giga-projects in the Kingdom, many of them new standalone supercities, said Harmen de Jong, partner and head of real estate, Strategy& Consulting in the Kingdom.

NEOM is expected to house 9 million residents across 300,000 new homes once completed, making it the largest giga-project announced to date, Jong added.

Among 1,000 Saudi households surveyed, Diriyah Gate came third in popularity as a place to own a home, behind NEOM and The Red Sea Project.

NEOM is radically redefining urban living in resource-poor regions, Durrani said. At the same time, sub-cities like the Octagon, Trojena and the Line will set new benchmarks for luxury living in the area.

Around 30 percent of Saudi homeowners are prepared to spend more than $800,000 on a second home at NEOM. “Developers have their work cut out to satisfy this pent-up demand,” Durrani added.

De Jong said that the construction progress of part of the projects stands at 29 percent, with only $7.5 billion of subprojects being commissioned.

Riyadh’s rebirth 

Another head-turning giga-project is the $20 billion Diriyah Gate which will give Riyadh 20,000 homes when it is completed in 2027, creating a city-sized historic district.

Knight Frank estimated that about $2.3 billion had been spent on Diriyah Gate’s construction.

“Not to be outdone, Riyadh’s repositioning as a commercial nerve center of the Kingdom is well underway. And businesses from the world over are already clamoring to be at the center of the Middle East’s second and much-needed global hub,” Durrani said.

Durrani added that the planned development of 2.8 million square meters of world-class office space could not come at a better time with Grade A office occupancy levels hovering around 97 percent across the city.

According to Knight Frank, an international airport worth $147 billion is also set to open shortly. Nearly 74 percent of the $200 billion national infrastructure investment goes toward the new airport. 

“The city is also attracting a huge number of internal migrants, and with readily available support to get on the housing ladder, house prices are rising rapidly and currently stand some 26 percent higher than this time last year,” he said. 

Well-being hub

The Kingdom is also improving and providing world-class urban environments for its residents with the $500 million Riyadh Sports Boulevard and the $23 billion Green Riyadh, planting 7.5 million trees in the Saudi capital to transform it into a green, vibrant metropolis.

It also extends to the 19,000 hospital beds planned for $13.8 billion, of which $8.6 billion will be spent in Riyadh Province alone.

According to de Jong, over 80 new educational institutions are being constructed for $82 billion.

“What’s more, healthcare, education and well-being sit at the core of the transformative plans, which will contribute to an extraordinary evolution in the Kingdom’s physical realm, making it unrecognizable from what we see today by the end of the decade,” Durrani said.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA