UAE, Indonesia Sign MoU on Tourism

UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
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UAE, Indonesia Sign MoU on Tourism

UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM

The United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and technical agreement with the Republic of Indonesia to support cooperation in the areas of creative economy, tourism, environmental conservation and logistics at the UAE-Indonesia Business Forum entitled "Amazing Week 2021".

The deal aims to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries.

This comes in addition to exchanging experiences on developing methods of financing the creative economy, state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE delegation included Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chief Executive Officer of DP World, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and representatives from a number of high-level entities in the UAE.

Noura Al Kaabi and Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, signed the MoU on cooperation in the field of creative economy.

Mubarak Al Nakhi and Wisnu Bawa Tarunajaya, Deputy Minister for Resources and Institutionality, signed the technical agreement on hosting the World Creative Economy Conference 2021 in Dubai as part of Expo 2020 Dubai, scheduled in October 2021.

The conference will include a meeting of officials, academics, business owners, and representatives of governments, international bodies, and the media to shape future creative economic policies.

Following the signature of the MoU, Al Kaabi said: "The UAE and Indonesia are exemplars of religious and cultural diversity, tolerance and moderation. These are the values that bind us together and enable us to cooperate for our common interests, especially in the sphere of creative economy, which is a pillar of sustainable economic growth."

"As the world is going through a challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to turn challenges into opportunities for innovation,'' Al Kaaber added.

''The MoU signed between our two countries will provide us a new opportunity to strengthen our bilateral ties and mutual cooperation in various spheres, including in the cultural and creative sectors,"

For his part, Hussein Baqis, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, said: "I believe the MoU on cooperation in the field of creative economy will open many opportunities between both countries to share ideas as well as experiences for the advancement of creative economy industries in both countries. I am optimistic that Indonesia and the UAE can play a bigger role in economic recovery through creative economy industries."

Other agreements signed between the two sides included industrial and commercial cooperation agreements, a logistics passport agreement with businesses in the UAE, and a joint venture development agreement with DP World.



Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to strengthen food security, a strategic objective rooted in the Kingdom’s founding and shaped by its desert geography and limited water resources.

As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed food security among its top priorities, implementing a national strategy to boost local production and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.

The agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP rose to SAR114 billion ($30.4 billion) in 2024, up from SAR109 billion ($29 billion) the previous year, according to the latest Vision 2030 annual report.

Government support, particularly through the Agricultural Development Fund, has fueled the sector’s growth. Agricultural loans increased by 54% between 2018 and 2024, reaching SAR5 billion ($1.33 billion).

Saudi Arabia has achieved higher self-sufficiency rates across several key products. Domestic production in 2024 included 2.95 million tons of fruit, 3.38 million tons of vegetables, 1.83 million tons of grains, 399,000 tons of eggs, 2.7 million tons of milk, 274,000 tons of red meat, 1.15 million tons of poultry, 217,000 tons of fish, and 8,500 tons of honey.

Aquaculture has seen significant growth, with fish production rising from 40,000 tons in 2016 to over 246,000 tons in 2024, driven by investments in sustainable technologies and marine projects. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an emerging regional hub for aquaculture.

The Kingdom’s progress reflects its long-term commitment to food security, supported by initiatives to enhance supply chains, stimulate private sector investment, and advance research and innovation in modern farming technologies. Authorities say the achievements so far signal Saudi Arabia’s ability to continue advancing toward self-sufficiency in a more resilient and sustainable agricultural environment.