Key initiatives include a privatisation programme which would see the divestment of a number of state-owned giants, such as the partial listing of Aramco, the creation of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund and the increased participation of women in the job market. The Kingdom has played a key role too on the international stage in 2017, becoming the first country to host President Trump,
As the Kingdom prepares to phase out domestic wheat production, the authorities are planning to double the size of strategic reserves by 2016 in order to ensure the country’s food security. To achieve this, the government is currently investing in a major expansion of domestic grain storage capacity. The authorities have also decided to privatise some of the Kingdom’s storage silos, alongside…
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest producers and exporters of agricultural goods in the region. Although agriculture accounts for a relatively small proportion of GDP and overall land use, and although the Kingdom has a negative trade balance when it comes to agricultural goods, it is nonetheless selfsufficient or close to self-sufficient in a number of areas; for example, Saudi Arabia is a substantial…
As the Kingdom prepares to phase out domestic wheat production, the authorities are planning to double the size of strategic reserves by 2016 in order to ensure the country’s food security. To achieve this, the government is currently investing in a major expansion of domestic grain storage capacity. The authorities have also decided to privatise some of the Kingdom’s storage silos, alongside…
Based on metrics such as the number of scientific papers published in the field, Saudi Arabia is the largest agricultural research centre in the GCC and one of the largest in the Middle East. While the level of research and development (R&D) activity in the Kingdom is low by the standards of major international agricultural research powerhouses, it has been rising rapidly in recent years. Issues…
Based on metrics such as the number of scientific papers published in the field, Saudi Arabia is the largest agricultural research centre in the GCC and one of the largest in the Middle East. While the level of research and development (R&D) activity in the Kingdom is low by the standards of major international agricultural research powerhouses, it has been rising rapidly in recent years. Issues…
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest producers and exporters of agricultural goods in the region and is self-sufficient in a number of areas, including milk, eggs and dates. The sector has seen a notable shift towards higher-value and less-water-intensive crops, and a gradual phasing out of domestic wheat production in favour of imports. Efforts are also being made to boost aquaculture and fisheries,…
Interview:Fahd Balghunaim How does the government encourage investment abroad while securing trade agreements with food exporting countries to ensure local food security? FAHD BALGHUNAIM: Investing abroad and sourcing from trade are not separate actions, but rather part of a complete plan to secure food supplies for the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has bought and will continue to buy from the international…
