Saudi Arabia Stresses Food, Water Supplies Unaffected by Virus

Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Food, Water Supplies Unaffected by Virus

Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Fish on display at a market in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia stressed that the pumping water, as well as agricultural activity and supply chains, are operating regularly and are unaffected by the coronavirus outbreak. It added that operations on food security projects were working at the highest levels amid the global pandemic.

According to the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman al-Fadhli, the ministry’s various sectors are working smoothly and in continuous coordination to secure food and water supplies.

While inspecting food security projects in Riyadh, Fadhli said water pumping is operating smoothly throughout the Kingdom, with 9.7 million cubic meters being provided daily. Operations at desalination plants are moving smoothly.

On the agriculture sector, Fadhli said that the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) is capable, when needed, to produce about 270,000 flour bags, weighing 45 kilograms each, per day.

A statement by the ministry, a copy of which was obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, revealed that the Kingdom’s storage capacity of wheat stands at about 3.3 million tons, with production at 15,100 tons per day.

On fresh food, the ministry said the country can produce over 180,000 tons of various vegetables per month.

There are no shortages in the market, it stressed. Poultry production is at 3.5 billion chickens and 15 million eggs per day. Milk production exceeds 7.5 million liters and seafood 437 tons per day.



Saudi Industry Ministry Signs MoUs to Advance Manufacturing Empowerment

The agreements were signed during the "Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025” Exhibition. SPA
The agreements were signed during the "Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025” Exhibition. SPA
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Saudi Industry Ministry Signs MoUs to Advance Manufacturing Empowerment

The agreements were signed during the "Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025” Exhibition. SPA
The agreements were signed during the "Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025” Exhibition. SPA

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with leading local and international companies to advance advanced manufacturing, support local content, and strengthen national supply chains, enhancing the regional and global competitiveness of Saudi industry.

The agreements were signed during the "Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia 2025” Exhibition, organized by the ministry in partnership with Deutsche Messe and Riyadh Exhibitions Company Ltd.

The ministry signed two memoranda to provide innovative financing solutions for industrial establishments, strengthen national supply chains, and support local content.

Additionally, the ministry's National Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production signed several memoranda of understanding with local and international industrial and advisory companies to support the path of advanced manufacturing, develop supply chains, enhance technological innovation, and boost the competitiveness of national factories, in line with the National Industrial Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

These strategic partnerships are part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to develop the Kingdom's industrial ecosystem, enable manufacturers to access the latest industrial solutions, support supply chain development, and stimulate innovation, contributing to the building of a sustainable industrial sector that competes regionally and globally.


China Says Working on Streamlining Rare Earth Export Licenses

FILE PHOTO: Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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China Says Working on Streamlining Rare Earth Export Licenses

FILE PHOTO: Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

China said on Thursday it is working on streamlining rare earth export licenses - a key promised outcome after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping.

"The government is actively adapting," Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong told reporters at a weekly briefing, adding that authorities "were aligning themselves with general license mechanisms".

Reuters reported on Tuesday that at least three Chinese rare earth magnet makers had secured licenses enabling them to accelerate exports to some customers.

He did not say if new licenses had been issued.

China began designing the new rare earth licensing regime following a late October meeting between Trump and Xi that eased trade tensions between the two countries.


Saudi Aramco's Jafurah Gas Plant Begins Output with 450 Million Cubic Feet Per Day

The resources at Jafurah are now estimated at 229 trillion standard cu ft of gas and 75 billion barrels of condensates. (Saudi Aramco)
The resources at Jafurah are now estimated at 229 trillion standard cu ft of gas and 75 billion barrels of condensates. (Saudi Aramco)
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Saudi Aramco's Jafurah Gas Plant Begins Output with 450 Million Cubic Feet Per Day

The resources at Jafurah are now estimated at 229 trillion standard cu ft of gas and 75 billion barrels of condensates. (Saudi Aramco)
The resources at Jafurah are now estimated at 229 trillion standard cu ft of gas and 75 billion barrels of condensates. (Saudi Aramco)

The first phase of oil giant Aramco's Jafurah gas plant is complete and production has begun with a capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day, the Saudi finance ministry said on Tuesday.

The finance ministry, in its 2026 budget statement, listed the milestone as an achievement reached in 2025.

Jafurah's gas output will be used for domestic power generation, freeing up crude for export that is currently used for power in the kingdom.

Aramco has said its unconventional gas program at peak production is expected to generate electricity equivalent to displacing 500,000 barrels per day of oil.

The $100 billion Jafurah project, estimated to contain 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas, is central to Aramco's ambitions to become a major global player in natural gas and boost its gas production capacity.

Aramco's gas production was 12.6 billion cubic feet per day at the end of September, up from 12 bcfd a year earlier.

Aramco last month said it was boosting its gas growth target to 80% above 2021 levels from a previous targeted growth of 60%.

In its 2021 annual report, Aramco said it reached a single-day record gas output at the time of 10.8 bcfd.

Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, who has called Jafurah a crown jewel in the company's portfolio, said during an earnings call last month the first phase was on track for completion by the end of this year.