Specialized Center Launched to Train Saudi Women to Work in Industrial Cities

Saudi Arabia supports the qualification of women to join the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia supports the qualification of women to join the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Specialized Center Launched to Train Saudi Women to Work in Industrial Cities

Saudi Arabia supports the qualification of women to join the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia supports the qualification of women to join the industrial sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon), in cooperation with Kafo Charity for Employing and Training, has inaugurated a specialized training center at the second industrial city in Riyadh, which aims at empowering women in the industrial sector.

Modon CEO Eng. Khalid bin Mohammad Al-Salem noted that the strategic partnership between the two sides targets developing the role of Saudi women in the national economy. This is in line with Modon’s strategy to empower industry and contribute to increasing the local content according to the initiatives assigned to it under National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030.

He stressed that the new center was established in the second industrial city in Riyadh to design and offer women training programs that accord with the requirements of the labor market in the industrial sector.

He added that cooperation between Modon and Kafo enhances the role of the non-profit sector in industrial cities under Vision 2030 that aims at increasing the contribution of this sector to the GDP to 5%.

Al-Salem said Modon invests in the potential and capabilities of Saudi women through providing a model environment that keeps pace with their ambitions as employees or investors in the industrial sector, noting that Modon succeeded in increasing the number of Saudi women in industrial cities by 120% over the past five years to around 17,000 employees up from 7,860.

He said that the services and products provided by Modon to empower Saudi women include an industrial oasis that includes kindergartens, cars waiting areas and medical and entertainment centers, with ready-built factories to encourage female business entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises.

He noted that Modon, in December 2020, organized a specialized conference to discuss investment opportunities for women and ways to address challenges and remove obstacles that hinder the work of women in the industrial sector.

The Authority is currently working on launching the small ready-built factory product with an area of 200 square meters for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the first industrial city in Dammam, he revealed.



South Korea’s Food Exports Rose to $6.2 Billion in 6 Months

A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
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South Korea’s Food Exports Rose to $6.2 Billion in 6 Months

A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)
A worker at a supermarket in South Korea puts bags of instant noodles on the shelves (Yonhap news agency)

South Korea's exports of food and related goods rose 5.2% on-year in the first half of 2024, government data showed, led by the popularity of instant noodles and processed rice products.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that outbound shipments of the food segment known as “K-Food Plus” reached $6.21 billion, compared with $5.9 billion posted a year earlier, the country’s Yonhap new agency reported on Saturday.
K-Food Plus encompasses a diverse range of food products and related items, from fresh and processed goods to agricultural equipment and solutions.
By product, exports of instant noodles jumped 32.3% to hit $590.2 million, with those of processed rice products gaining 41.4 percent to $136.9 million, the data showed.
The ministry attributed the growth in instant noodle exports to the popularity of social media content featuring spicy product challenges, as well as the release of customized products by exporters.
South Korean rice products also gained popularity, as frozen gimbap, or seaweed rice rolls, attracted significant attention in the US market as a gluten-free and healthy eating option, the ministry said.
By destination, exports to the US surged 17%, reaching $736 million, driven by increased demand due to revitalized consumer spending, a stabilizing labor market and eased inflation.
Exports to China also edged up 3.1% to $702 million, as exporters utilized online platforms and influencers to promote South Korean foodstuffs.
Shipments to Japan, on the other hand, declined by 7% during the period to $671.3 million, due to the reduced spending power of Japanese consumers, the ministry added.