Latest news with #AlFadley
Gulf Insider
02-08-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia To Build Over 1,000 Rainwater Dams In Major Sustainability Push
Saudi Arabia will construct more than 1,000 rainwater harvesting dams across the country as part of a landmark national drive to ensure water sustainability and strengthen environmental resilience, the Kingdom's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced. Described as one of the most ambitious undertakings in the Kingdom's environmental transformation, the initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Speaking at a press briefing in Riyadh, Minister Abdulrahman Al Fadley outlined the Kingdom's accelerating progress under the National Environment Strategy. The wide-reaching agenda is transforming policy, regulation, infrastructure, and investment across the environmental and water sectors. The planned dams are expected to harvest a combined annual capacity of four million cubic metres of rainwater. The collected water will support groundwater recharge, agriculture, and the restoration of natural ecosystems. The announcement coincided with an update on the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares of degraded land. To date, more than 151 million trees have been planted, and over 500,000 hectares of land have been restored. The number of national parks has soared from 18 to over 500. Protected terrestrial areas now span 18 per cent of Saudi Arabia's territory, while marine protected zones have expanded by 260 per cent since 2016. Additionally, more than 8,000 endangered species have been successfully reintroduced to their native habitats. Saudi Arabia has also introduced robust regulatory frameworks for environmental protection, meteorology, and waste management — two of which are being implemented for the first time in the country's history. Five specialised environmental centres have been established, alongside the launch of the region's largest environmental fund to finance green projects and encourage private-sector involvement. Al Fadley highlighted a sharp rise in enforcement and compliance activities: Over 173,000 environmental inspections conducted 456 licences issued to environmental service providers More than 40,000 permits granted — a 660 per cent increase since the establishment of the National Center for Environmental Compliance Air quality is now monitored nationwide, supported by 240 active stations and expanded meteorological coverage using advanced forecasting systems. Saudi Arabia's strides in water sustainability have drawn global recognition. The Kingdom has doubled its water production since 2016 to 16.6 million cubic metres per day — 75 per cent of which is desalinated seawater — making it the world's largest producer of desalinated water. Strategic water storage capacity has surged by 600 per cent, and daily delivery now reaches more than 22,000 population centres, including mountain communities located up to 3,000 metres above sea level. The volume of reused water has risen from 251 million to 550 million cubic metres, now comprising 32 per cent of total water use. Energy consumption in the water sector has been reduced by 50 per cent, thanks to efficiency programmes led by the National Center for Water Efficiency and Conservation. Saudi Arabia's water policies have earned it international recognition, with the United Nations Water Conference naming the Kingdom a global model for sustainable water management under Sustainable Development Goal 6. Completed water projects now exceed SR230 billion in value, including SR10 billion in public infrastructure and more than SR45 billion through private-sector partnerships. The Kingdom is also placing increased emphasis on food security. Agricultural GDP has reached SR118 billion — an 8 per cent rise from last year and a 39 per cent increase since 2020. Domestic food production now stands at 12 million tonnes, with Saudi Arabia achieving full self-sufficiency in dates, milk, and eggs, along with high sufficiency rates in vegetables and poultry. The Kingdom also remains the world's leading exporter of dates.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia aiming to drive up food exports, non-oil trade with China
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is pushing to expand food exports to China and attract agricultural investment with a ministerial visit that aims to deepen bilateral trade and boost non-oil economic cooperation. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley has begun an official visit to China, heading a high-level delegation to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of environment, water, and food production. The trip also focuses on boosting exports — particularly of over 20 new local food products— facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting sustainable development and trade growth between the two countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports to China soared to SR3.68 billion ($980 million) in December, representing a 69.6 percent increase from the previous month, according to recent data from the General Authority for Statistics. The SPA report said the minister's visit 'forms part of broader efforts to deepen Saudi-Chinese relations, attract strategic investments to the Kingdom, and explore mutual opportunities in the environment, water, agriculture, and livestock production sectors.' Al-Fadley is scheduled to meet with Chinese ministers, senior officials, and leaders of major companies operating in key sectors. The discussions will focus on exploring future partnership opportunities, transferring advanced technologies, and opening new opportunities in the Saudi market. Al-Fadley will also participate in the Saudi-Chinese Forum on exporting Saudi products and sustaining the agricultural sector. The forum will bring together senior government and private sector representatives from both countries, including more than 80 Saudi businesspeople and investors. GASTAT figures showed that in December, plastic and rubber products led Saudi exports to China with a value of SR1.12 billion, followed by chemical goods at SR1.11 billion and transport equipment at SR1.02 billion. The Kingdom's non-oil shipments to China stood at SR2.17 billion in November, SR2.35 billion in October, and SR1.73 billion in September, reflecting a steady upward trend. This sustained growth highlights the deepening economic ties between Riyadh and Beijing, with Saudi Arabia maintaining its role as China's top trading partner in the Middle East since 2001. The increase in non-oil exports also signals tangible progress in the Kingdom's economic diversification efforts, as it works to reduce its longstanding dependence on oil revenues.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Trade Minister Hosts NZ Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission
Press Release – New Zealand Government Minister AlFadley is leading a delegation of more than 35 senior Saudi officials and business people to Auckland for the 9th New ZealandSaudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commissiona key platform for advancing trade and economic ties between the two … Minister for Trade and Investment Minister for Trade and Investment Hon Todd McClay will today welcome Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, to New Zealand. Minister AlFadley is leading a delegation of more than 35 senior Saudi officials and business people to Auckland for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission—a key platform for advancing trade and economic ties between the two countries. 'The hosting of this Joint Commission in New Zealand reflects the strong momentum in our relationship with Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region, particularly following the successful conclusion of negotiations for the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement late last year,' Mr McClay says. 'In a time of global uncertainty, the Government is focused on opening doors for Kiwi exporters and providing greater certainty for New Zealand businesses. 'As the Gulf's largest economy and one of our top export markets, with exports reaching $1.14 billion last year, Saudi Arabia presents significant opportunities for Kiwi businesses through the NZ-GCC FTA.' Alongside the Commission, the Ministers will participate in business outreach focused on agriculture, technology, and digital innovation. 'This visit provides a valuable opportunity to profile world-class Kiwi exporters and highlight investment opportunities in New Zealand's fast-growing tech sectors,' Mr McClay says. The Joint Ministerial Commission and business programme will run from 28–30 April in Auckland.
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Trade Minister Hosts NZ Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission
Press Release – New Zealand Government Minister for Trade and Investment Hon Todd McClay will today welcome Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, to New Zealand. Minister AlFadley is leading a delegation of more than 35 senior Saudi officials and business people to Auckland for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission—a key platform for advancing trade and economic ties between the two countries. 'The hosting of this Joint Commission in New Zealand reflects the strong momentum in our relationship with Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region, particularly following the successful conclusion of negotiations for the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement late last year,' Mr McClay says. 'In a time of global uncertainty, the Government is focused on opening doors for Kiwi exporters and providing greater certainty for New Zealand businesses. 'As the Gulf's largest economy and one of our top export markets, with exports reaching $1.14 billion last year, Saudi Arabia presents significant opportunities for Kiwi businesses through the NZ-GCC FTA.' Alongside the Commission, the Ministers will participate in business outreach focused on agriculture, technology, and digital innovation. 'This visit provides a valuable opportunity to profile world-class Kiwi exporters and highlight investment opportunities in New Zealand's fast-growing tech sectors,' Mr McClay says. The Joint Ministerial Commission and business programme will run from 28–30 April in Auckland.
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Trade Minister Hosts NZ Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission
Minister for Trade and Investment Minister for Trade and Investment Hon Todd McClay will today welcome Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, to New Zealand. Minister AlFadley is leading a delegation of more than 35 senior Saudi officials and business people to Auckland for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission—a key platform for advancing trade and economic ties between the two countries. 'The hosting of this Joint Commission in New Zealand reflects the strong momentum in our relationship with Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region, particularly following the successful conclusion of negotiations for the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement late last year,' Mr McClay says. 'In a time of global uncertainty, the Government is focused on opening doors for Kiwi exporters and providing greater certainty for New Zealand businesses. 'As the Gulf's largest economy and one of our top export markets, with exports reaching $1.14 billion last year, Saudi Arabia presents significant opportunities for Kiwi businesses through the NZ-GCC FTA.' Alongside the Commission, the Ministers will participate in business outreach focused on agriculture, technology, and digital innovation. 'This visit provides a valuable opportunity to profile world-class Kiwi exporters and highlight investment opportunities in New Zealand's fast-growing tech sectors,' Mr McClay says. The Joint Ministerial Commission and business programme will run from 28–30 April in Auckland.
