Saudi Arabia and Romania Sign MoU to Enhance Agricultural Cooperation


Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, signed a memorandum of understanding today with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Romania, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh. This memorandum aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural sector and to support the national goals and objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The memorandum seeks to support the economy in agriculture and rural development and to collaborate on utilizing modern technologies to enhance agricultural production and improve animal and plant resource management. This cooperation aims to enhance livestock breeding, promote animal health, achieve food security, and ensure sustainable economic prosperity.

The two parties agreed to enhance the trade exchange of agricultural products and collaborate in agricultural research, particularly focusing on field crops and plant varieties. Additionally, they seek to strengthen cooperation in moder
n beekeeping technology.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Mawani Announces Extension of Exemption Period for Storage Fees of Empty Containers at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam to 20 Days


Dammam: The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) today announced the extension of the exemption period for storage fees for exported empty containers at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam from 10 days to 20 days, starting today for a duration of six months. This initiative aims to support operational processes for all beneficiaries and stakeholders in the port sector and to facilitate trade and supply chains.

This incentive is part of Mawani’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency, increase the speed of empty container retrieval, improve truck turnaround times, and improve the level of provided logistical services. It also aims to enhance import and export processes, support the economic environment and commercial activity in the Kingdom, boost partnerships with the private sector, and offer attractive competitive services, thereby contributing to the support of global supply chains.

The initiative contributes to the smooth and flexible movement of exported containers, quick completion of procedures, faster truck
turnaround times, and addressing the continuous increase in cargo volume. It helps clear the yards rapidly, improving port performance and raising quality and productivity levels, in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, by enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

ZATCA Urges Taxpayers to File WHT Returns for June


Riyadh: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has urged taxpayers from the business sector in the Kingdom subject to the Withholding Tax (WHT) to file their tax returns for June no later than July 10, 2024.

Taxpayers may do so through the authority’s website, zatca.gov.sa, to avoid a 1% fine for unpaid taxes every 30 days after the due date.

According to ZATCA, taxpayers from the business sector wishing to receive more information about WHT should contact the authority via the call centre’s unified number 19993, which operates 24/7, the X account @Zatca_Care, e-mail info@zatca.gov.sa, or on instant chat via ZATCA’s website zatca.gov.sa.

WHT is one regulation in the Kingdom whereby a tax is withheld from the total income of non-resident establishments that provide services in the Kingdom in accordance with the rates specified in Article 68 of the Income Tax Law and Article 63 of its Implementing Regulations.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Approves Granting Saudi Citizenship to a Selection of Researchers, innovators, and distinguished talents in various fields


Riyadh: A Royal decree was issued to grant Saudi citizenships to a number of scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specializations. The announcement is made in line with the issued Royal decree to grant Saudi citizenships to experts and exceptional global talents with unique competencies in religious, medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and technological fields, contributing to the development of various sectors throughout the Kingdom, and in support of achieving its (Vision 2030) goal, of creating an attractive environment that enables attracting, investing in and retaining exceptional creative minds.

The Royal decree comes as an extension of the Kingdom’s interest in attracting distinguished talents with the most prominent competencies and unique expertise and specializations to whose fields constitute a qualitative addition to the Kingdom’s efforts in fields of economic development, health, culture, sport, and innovation
, where a royal decree was previously issued in 2021 to grant Saudi citizenships to the first group of select distinguished talent in these fields.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Industry Ministry Participates in London Indaba Conference


London: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Mineral Resources Management, Abdulrahman AlBelushi participated in the London Indaba Conference, where he conveyed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to collaborating with African nations.

In his address at the conference under the topic titled ‘Investing in Resources and Mining in Africa,’ Al-Belushi noted that Saudi Arabia is keen on collaborating with African nations on critical minerals as a strategic move in creating mutual benefits in resource development, infrastructure, and economic diversification.

He highlighted that over the past 4 decades, the Saudi Fund for Development had contributed over $10 billion in aid towards infrastructure development in the continent, while the Islamic Development Bank has financed projects worth more than $220 billion, with trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Africa seeing significant growth from $17 billion in 2012 to $44 billion in 2023.

In his closing remarks, AlBelushi stated, ‘We are all about making sustainable impac
ts and creating mutual benefits, including increased trade, job creation, technological transfer, and strengthened economic ties that contribute to the prosperity of both Saudi Arabia and the African nations involved,’

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Presidency of Religious Affairs Grants Saudi Press Agency Award for Media Excellence in Hajj Season 1445 AH


Makkah: The President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, has awarded the Saudi Press Agency Commission the Media Excellence Award for Hajj Season 1445 AH during the closing ceremony of the season, which was held today at the presidency’s headquarters in Makkah. The award was granted to recognize SPA’s professional role in highlighting the leadership’s efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims. The SPA successfully broadcasted the Arafat sermon in multiple languages to 621 million listeners worldwide and supported the broadcasting of the sermon of Eid Al-Adha to 20 million beneficiaries through its digital platforms.

During the closing ceremony, Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais commended the media collaboration between the Saudi Press Agency Commission and the Presidency for Religious Affairs. He praised their efforts in enhancing the Hajj experience, creating a conducive worship environment, and amplifying the significance of the Hajj journ
ey. He also appreciated their portrayal of human stories of faith from the Two Holy Mosques and their effective communication of the moderate message of the Two Holy Mosques to the world. Additionally, he acknowledged their success in producing specialized videos about the Two Holy Mosques, highlighting the presidency’s religious services, and contributing globally enriching content.

Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais presented the Media Excellence Award for Hajj Season 1445 AH to the President of SPA, Dr. Fahd Al Aqran, in the presence of several security leaders and partners in the success of Hajj.

Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais said, “In keenness of the Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to support media innovation and creativity in conveying the enrichment of the experience of the pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and their message globally, the presidency launched the Media Excellence Award for Hajj Season 1445 AH, which is the first of its kind in the history of the rece
ntly modernized presidency, to encourage the official media system and media institutions, and to celebrate creative media work related to enriching the experience of the pilgrims and creating humanized success stories from the Two Holy Mosques during the Hajj season,” emphasizing that the granting of the Excellence Award to SPA came in recognition of its efforts in conveying the moderate message of the Two Holy Mosques to the world after translating it into several languages.

He also pointed out that SPA is one of the most successful agencies in the world as it works to consecrate the values of tolerance, moderation, and centrism.

He elaborated that the Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership, has been keen to achieve excellence and quality in its religious services and to empower pilgrims to perform their rituals in a submissive religious environment, in accordance with governance and impact measurement, and to
maximize the Kingdom’s leading moderate religious role in the world.

He added that the presidency succeeded in achieving the satisfaction of the pilgrims in Hajj Season 1445 AH, providing them with the best religious services, enriching their religious experience, and preparing the submissive atmosphere for them to perform their worship with ease and tranquillity.

He noted that the study prepared by the presidency on measuring the satisfaction of pilgrims with the religious services provided to them in the Two Holy Mosques during the Hajj season concluded that the Presidency for Religious Affairs succeeded by 90 and a half percent in achieving the satisfaction of the pilgrims and ensuring the provision of standardized, governed religious services professionally and institutionally, in a manner befitting the Kingdom’s efforts in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors, and highlighting its pioneering role in serving the pilgrims in an enriching, moderate religious environment, and strengthening the s
trengths and creativity, and improving the outputs.

Dr. Al-Sudais also expressed the presidency’s ambition to achieve excellence and quality in its religious services and empower pilgrims to perform their rituals in a submissive religious environment. He mentioned that the study concluded that the Presidency for Religious Affairs succeeded by 90.5 percent in achieving the pilgrims’ satisfaction during the Hajj season, providing standardized, governed religious services professionally and institutionally, and serving the pilgrims in an enriching, moderate religious environment.

Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais said, “The remarkable success achieved during the Hajj season was made possible only by the grace of Allah Almighty, and with the support of the wise leadership, as well as the combined efforts to establish an integrated religious service system that meets global quality standards.” He highlighted the launch of over 120 religious enrichment initiatives and 60 scientific programs, as well as the distribution of nea
rly one million Qurans, over half a million umbrellas, half a million carpets, and more than a million religious books and translated interpretations of the Quran to the pilgrims during the Hajj season. Additionally, he praised and honoured the various entities and partners whose contributions led to the success of this year’s Hajj season in 1445 AH.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Contractors Authority Delegation Seeks to Enhance Cooperation at Trkiye-Saudi Arabia Construction Forum


Istanbul: A delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the Chairman of the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), Eng. Zakria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqadir, has visited the Republic of Trkiye to participate in the Trkiye-Saudi Arabia Construction Forum.

This visit was part of Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail’s visit to the Republic of Trkiye. During this visit, he met with several Turkish government officials to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in real estate development, road infrastructure, waste management, and recycling.

Eng. Al-Abdulqadir held meetings with Saudi and Turkish contracting company representatives to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in the construction sector.

Additionally, he met with the President of the Turkish Contractors Association, Erdal Eren, who opened the forum by emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation in this field. Eng. Al-Abdulqadir also gave a speech at the opening of the Trkiye-Saudi Arabia
Construction Forum in Istanbul, discussing the construction sector in the Kingdom and ways of cooperation, as well as enhancing the participation of Turkish contractors in the Kingdom and exchanging their experiences with Saudi contractors.

This visit aimed to strengthen economic and investment partnerships between Saudi Arabia and its strategic partners in the region. The goal was to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and achieve sustainable development and growth in the region.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

KSGAAL Launches Four New Publications on State of Arabic Language in World


Riyadh: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) released four new publications today as part of the “Arabic in the World” series, which aims to build bridges of communication with Arabic speakers worldwide. These publications shed light on the state of the Arabic language in several countries, providing data and information about individuals, institutions, and entities that serve the Arabic language.

The new publications in the “Arabic in the World” series for 2024 include the following titles: “The Arabic Language in Chad,” “The Arabic Language in Thailand,” “The Arabic Language in Kyrgyzstan: A Descriptive, Analytical, and Critical Study,” and “The Arabic Language in the Comoros.” These books can be downloaded for the benefit of researchers studying the state of the Arabic language, Arabic language planning and policy, linguistic academics, and linguistic institutions within Saudi Arabia.

Secretary General of KSGAAL Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi noted that the launch of the “Special
ized Global Research Track” project falls within the achievement of the academy’s strategic goals. This initiative meets scientific needs, addresses linguistic challenges, fills gaps related to research and scientific publication, and opens diverse scientific and knowledge horizons locally and globally. It complements the specialized linguistic publishing tracks per the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the programs to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030.

This initiative is part of the academy’s expanded and ongoing publishing program, which addresses various linguistic aspects. This program involved 1,097 researchers from 76 countries, covering studies in 84 countries across all continents, and resulted in the publication of 218 books. The program’s research topics cover different aspects, including six scientific journals issued by the academy with a total of 51 issues.

KSGAAL called on researchers, specialists, and interested individuals to publish their scientific and research out
put via email: nashr@ksaa.gov.sa.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Asir Border Guards Arrest 3 Individuals for Attempting to Smuggle 33 Kg of Hashish


Abha: The land patrols of the Border Guards in Dhahran Al-Janub Sector, Asir Region, have arrested three Ethiopians for attempting to smuggle 33 kilograms of Hashish. Preliminary legal procedures were implemented, and the suspects and seized drugs were handed over to the relevant authorities.

The security authorities urge citizens and residents to report any activities related to drug smuggling or trafficking. Informants can contact authorities by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, the Eastern Region, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. They can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) by phone at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa. All reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Speaks by Phone with Egyptian Counterpart


Riyadh: Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah spoke by telephone, on Wednesday, with Arab Republic of Egypt Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Dr. Badr Abdel Ati to congratulate him on assuming his new post.

During the conversation, Prince Faisal expressed his aspiration and keenness to work together to build on the strong fraternal relations between the two countries and to continue cooperation and coordination in a way that serves the common interests of the two countries and brotherly peoples.

Source: Saudi Press Agency