Saudi PIF to Set Up Sawani Camel Dairy Company

Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi PIF to Set Up Sawani Camel Dairy Company

Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sawani contributes to the development of the local production system to reach sustainability (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has set up the Sawani Company to enable the growth of the Saudi camel farming industry and actively contribute to its sustainable development.

Sawani aims to be a leading producer of camel dairy products, supporting Saudi Arabia's wider Food and Agriculture sector and helping to diversify the Saudi economy, in line with Vision 2030.

The company will work in partnership with the private sector to boost the production capacity of the camel dairy industry and seek to elevate the standards of the domestic production ecosystem by modernizing operations, improving the localization of knowledge, and investing in the sector's latest technologies.

PIF has invested strategically in the Food and Agriculture sector to help diversify the Saudi economy and support its unique produce industries.

Among these investments are its creation of the Saudi Coffee Company, which promotes Saudi Khulani coffee beans, and the Halal Products Development Company, which invests in the halal products sector.

Since 2017, PIF has established 84 companies in 13 strategic sectors.

Sawani will place sustainability at the center of all production, distribution, and marketing stages and raise awareness of camel dairy products' health benefits among consumers.

It will also showcase the unique history and cultural heritage of camel husbandry within Saudi Arabia.

Camel milk is commonly known for its nutritional benefits, including high amounts of minerals and vitamins such as A, B, E, and C.

It is also rich in calcium, protein, and antioxidants, considered low in cholesterol, and is easy to digest.

The Head of PIF's Consumer Goods and Retail in the Mena Investments Division, Majed al-Assaf, said Saudi Arabia has extensive experience and knowledge of the camel dairy industry and enormous potential to expand its operational capabilities and the broader ecosystem.

Assaf noted that these factors are a competitive advantage across the entire supply chain, which, alongside investment, "will enable significant growth of the industry, and eventually lead to the export of camel dairy products, which have many nutritional benefits, to regional and global markets."

The establishment of Sawani will support the growth of the Food and Agriculture sector and contribute to sustainable economic and social development, in line with Vision 2030.

A key part of the company's strategy is to increase awareness and knowledge of the industry to preserve it and drive sustainable growth by introducing the best scientific practices in modern manufacturing technologies locally.



Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 Kicks Off in Riyadh with Over 100 Participants

The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 Kicks Off in Riyadh with Over 100 Participants

The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Tourism Forum 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh is hosting the third edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum 2025, featuring participation from over 100 organizations. The forum provides a comprehensive platform to showcase the latest advancements in the tourism sector, highlight investment opportunities, develop skills, and establish new partnerships to accelerate tourism growth in the Kingdom.

Taking place from January 7 to 9, the event is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and the Tourism Development Fund.

Mohammed Basrawi, Chief Domestic Tourism Officer at the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized in his opening remarks the sector’s continuous growth and record-breaking achievements, driven by innovative products and services.

“In 2023, we celebrated welcoming 100 million visitors to the Kingdom, a milestone that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the support of our wise leadership,” he said.

Basrawi highlighted the success of the previous forum, which attracted over 28,000 visitors from 100 entities, facilitated the signing of 62 agreements, including nine with the Saudi Tourism Authority, and led to the launch of more than 20 new initiatives and products.

This year’s forum will feature additional partnerships, commercial opportunities, and international and local promotional campaigns to further establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination, he added.

Khalid Al-Shareef, spokesperson for the Tourism Development Fund, shared insights with Asharq Al-Awsat on the forum’s sidelines, stating that the fund is overseeing more than 135 qualified projects across the Kingdom, with a total investment exceeding SAR 40 billion ($10.7 billion). These include the development of over 8,800 hotel rooms in cities such as Abha, Al-Baha, Taif, AlUla, and Madinah, extending tourism projects beyond major hubs like Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province.

Al-Shareef identified the Asir region as a key area of focus due to its diverse geography, attracting both domestic and international tourists, particularly in the summer. He noted that the southern region hosts 15 projects worth SAR 2.6 billion and emphasized the importance of sustained support from both the Public Investment Fund and private sector companies.

Since its inception, the forum has achieved significant milestones, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and unique tourism offerings while advancing the shared vision of developing this vital sector.

The event features a diverse program of seminars and workshops on the latest tourism trends and developments, enabling participants to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and experts while enhancing the skills of professionals in the sector.