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Saudi Food Security Safely Overcomes Repercussions of COVID-19

Photo by AZIZ SHAH/AFP/Getty Images
Photo by AZIZ SHAH/AFP/Getty Images
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Saudi Food Security Safely Overcomes Repercussions of COVID-19

Photo by AZIZ SHAH/AFP/Getty Images
Photo by AZIZ SHAH/AFP/Getty Images

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture revealed a comprehensive integrated system that contributed to adequate food security despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on worldwide food supply chains and the shortage faced in some countries,

The ministry said that it did not face any disruption in the supply chains or a shortage of stock during the crisis, but rather confirmed that the Kingdom had a reliable food chain with a daily production capacity that can meet all of consumers’ needs and with high quality.

Saudi Arabia has the largest storage capacity in the Middle East for wheat and flour, according to Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Fadhli, who issued on Monday a detailed statement that assesses the state of Saudi food security.

“The Kingdom presented a great model in implementing the food security strategy, cooperating with the private sector, and guaranteeing responsible consumption in sales outlets,” he emphasized.

The measures and precautions that were taken during the pandemic came as a result of a pre-emptive action planned with all government sectors more than 4 years ago, he added.

The minister also stressed that the citizens’ awareness and confidence in the efforts made by the state were one of the main reasons for the availability of these products throughout the day, at reasonable prices.

He noted that the Kingdom has achieved high rates of self-sufficiency in many agricultural products, mainly dates (more than 125 percent of sufficiency), vegetables and poultry (60 percent), eggs (116 percent), in addition to fresh milk and its derivatives (109 percent) and fish (55 percent).

Al-Fadhli stressed that the Kingdom was moving forward in developing a sustainable agricultural system in a way that enhances its food security and preserves natural resources, in addition to expanding agricultural investment abroad in countries that enjoy relative advantages.

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China Mulls Draft Law to Promote Private Sector Development

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
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China Mulls Draft Law to Promote Private Sector Development

A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)
A Chinese national flag flutters on a financial street in Beijing. (Reuters)

Chinese lawmakers are deliberating a draft of the country's first basic law specifically focused on the development of the private sector, the country’s Xinhua news agency reported.

“The law will be conducive to creating a law-based environment that is favorable to the growth of all economic sectors, including the private sector,” said Justice Minister He Rong, while explaining the draft on Saturday during the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the national legislature.

The draft private sector promotion law covers areas such as fair competition, investment and financing environments, scientific and technological innovation, regulatory guidance, service support, rights and interests protection and legal liabilities.

The draft has incorporated suggestions solicited from representatives of the private sector, experts, scholars and the general public, the minister said.

China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged as expected at the monthly fixing on Friday.

Persistent deflationary pressure and tepid credit demand call for more stimulus to aid the broad economy, but narrowing interest margin on the back of fast falling yields and a weakening yuan limit the scope for immediate monetary easing.

The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was kept at 3.10%, while the five-year LPR was unchanged at 3.60%.

In a Reuters poll of 27 market participants conducted this week, all respondents expected both rates to stay unchanged.

Morgan Stanley said in a note that the 2025 budget deficit and mix are more positive than expected and suggest Beijing is willing to set a high growth target and record fiscal budget to boost market confidence, but further policy details are unlikely before March.

Last Friday, data released by the country's central bank said total assets of China's financial institutions had risen to 489.15 trillion yuan (about $68.03 trillion) by the end of third quarter this year.

The figure represented a year-on-year increase of 8%, said the People's Bank of China.

Of the total, the assets of the banking sector reached 439.52 trillion yuan, up 7.3% year on year, while the assets of securities institutions rose 8.7% year on year to 14.64 trillion yuan.

The insurance sector's assets jumped 18.3% year on year to 35 trillion yuan, the data showed.

The liabilities of the financial institutions totaled 446.51 trillion yuan, up 8% year on year, according to the central bank.

Separately, data released by the National Energy Administration on Thursday showed that China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, rose by 7.1% year on year in the first 11months of the year.

During the period, power consumption of the country's primary industries increased by 6.8% year on year, while that of its secondary and tertiary sectors rose by 5.3% and 10.4%, respectively.

Residential power usage saw strong growth of 11.6% during this period, the administration said.

In November alone, power usage climbed 2.8% from one year earlier, according to the data.