https://arab.news/w487z
RIYADH:Â Acting Saudi Deputy Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf received Maj. Gen. Abdul Sami, the director general of the Frontier Works Organization in Pakistan, at his office in Riyadh on Thursday.
During the meeting, several topics of mutual interest were discussed.
RIYADH: Thousands of local, regional, and international professionals descended as more than 250 exhibitors showcased workspaces and stationery, paper, gifts, homeware, and children’s toys at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center.
The event revealed a powerful convergence of global manufactures and traders as both º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Vision 2030 giga-projects and rapid market diversification have created unprecedented demand for innovation across workplaces, education, and lifestyle sectors.
Running until Thursday, the event was officially opened on Tuesday by Ajlan Saad Al-Ajlan, vice chairman of the board of directors at the Riyadh Chamber, the strategic partner of the event.
Al-Ajlan said: “We are proud to officially open and be strategic partners for the event here. By bringing such events to the Kingdom — events that are already proven and established in other global markets — we are connecting international and regional industry expertise.
“It is with this sharing of knowledge and innovation that we will keep delivering towards our Vision 2030 goals.â€
On the opening day, panelists discussed how Saudi-driven innovation is shaping the future of the office, from culturally attuned design and agile project delivery to sustainability and supply chain resilience.
Mohammed Al Zamil, managing director at I-AM, highlighted how local insight is redefining excellence in workplace design.
Muhannad A Alhammadeh, marketing director of HAY Developments, said: “By 2035 the workplace will be shaped by multiple generations, hybrid work, automation, and climate urgency.â€
Elaine O’Connell, senior vice president at event organizer dmg events, said: “As expected, the inaugural show is spotlighting how the Kingdom continues to establish itself as a vibrant hub for creativity, design, and innovation. What we have seen is that it is also doing its part in shaping the future of workplaces.â€
Ahmed Al-Humaidi, sales director at Almutlaq Furniture, told Arab News: “Almutlaq is one of the pioneering companies in the Saudi market in the field of furniture. Today, the company is focusing on projects in line with the state’s current direction. Participating in the exhibition, we expect to attract a larger number of visitors, bigger projects, and greater opportunities.
“There have been many accomplishments; for example, Almutlaq is supplying Roshn with doors for the Sidra Project, one of the Kingdom’s major projects.
“The focus of our participation is not limited to Almutlaq, but also to showcasing international brands.â€
Tarek Amin, dealer development manager at Haworth Middle East and Africa, praised the inaugural event for the networking opportunities, and added: “We are delighted to join with our partner Almutlaq Furniture. The Kingdom is a key market for us, and the opportunities here are tremendous as it continues its transformation under Saudi Vision 2030.â€
Another exhibitor, Jose Garcia, Qyos product manager at Actiu, said: “º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is a key market with huge potential, and this show allows us to establish our presence and connect with architects, designers, and corporate end users.â€
Taking place alongside the show was The Creative Circle, a two-day forum with 25 speakers, as well as a three-day workshop by Artsy.
One of the highlights on the opening day was a fireside chat with Dr. Mohammad Tantawy, co-founder, board member and CMO at Green Point Group.
Tantawy said: “There is a lot of greenwashing here, so companies must look at the full manufacturing process, including working with a reliable partner.â€
Hobbies Castle, one of the Kingdom’s largest pop culture and trading card distributors, hailed the organizers for launching a much-needed industry platform in the form of the Kids and Toys section.
Mostafa Hamdy, country manager KSA at Hobbies Castle, said: “We have already created some incredible connections with other distributors, widening our potential network and customer base, which was a key focus of our participation.â€
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Thursday warned consumers not to eat chicken Frankfurt sausages manufactured in the Kingdom by the Altarouti brand, after factory inspections revealed they were contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the authority said: “The affected product is packaged in 12-piece packs, with an expiration date of 05/04/2026 and batch number (L2216.ZCN.F).
“Laboratory tests conducted by the SFDA confirmed the product is contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can pose a health risk to consumers.â€
The authority advised the public not to consume the product and to dispose of it immediately. It said action has been taken to withdraw it from stores and halt the factory’s production lines. In addition, it is taking legal action against the manufacturer, and noted that violations of the food safety laws and regulations can result in penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of SR10 million ($2.7 million) or both.
The contamination was discovered during inspections of food factories, which the authority said it carries out to ensure food safety, deter violations and prevent the use of products that might pose a risk to consumers.
Officials from the authority told Arab News: “The health and safety of citizens and residents in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ are our top priority.
“Our inspection and monitoring programs are designed to proactively identify and address potential risks. This is a core part of our strategy to ensure that all products, whether locally manufactured or imported, comply with national regulations and international standards.â€
The authority said it will not tolerate any food-safety violations that might threaten the health of citizens and residents, and continues to enhance safety standards and take action against anyone found to be violating them.
It encouraged members of the public to report any food-related concerns by contacting the SFDA call center on 19999.
MADINAH: Several development projects for mosques and grand mosques in Madinah were inaugurated on Wednesday by the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, with a total value exceeding SR395 million ($105.3 million).
The Saudi Press Agency reported that this was part of Al-Sheikh’s inspection visit to the ministry’s branch in Madinah, to assess its needs and review the ministry’s projects in the region.
The projects inaugurated by Al-Sheikh included the operation and maintenance of mosques and grand mosques at a cost of more than SR95 million, covering about 90 percent of the mosques in the region, along with the inauguration of the construction of 87 new mosques and grand mosques at a cost exceeding SR282 million.
The minister also inaugurated the Mosque Development Project, which includes building new mosques according to smart and sustainable models, and rehabilitating existing mosques by updating the designs, as well as adding new modern requirements, preparing external areas, carrying out landscaping, and implementing smart regulations.
Al-Sheikh affirmed that these projects are the results of the leadership’s support and dedication to the construction and upkeep of mosques and improvement of services to meet the needs of worshippers and reinforce the noble mission of serving Islam and Muslims.
Al-Sheikh reviewed the progress of work, and the development plans and programs of the ministry’s branches in the region, ensuring they improved efficiency and enhanced the quality of the services provided to citizens, residents and visitors to Madinah.
RIYADH: The Global Infrastructure Expo shed light on various major projects in the Kingdom this week in Riyadh, highlighting examples of smart cities while emphasizing the importance of building solid infrastructure for them.
Among the subjects local experts discussed were the urgency of addressing contaminated groundwater, and eliminating its root causes and mitigating its negative effects in Riyadh.
Faris Saad Almukati, water planning director at Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center, discussed groundwater management, and said: “(Some) 39 percent of the sources of groundwater issues in Riyadh come from wastewater, 38 percent from water network leaks, 14 percent from over irrigation, and 9 percent from stormwater.â€
Al-Narjis, Al-Arid, and Twaeeq neighborhoods are among the most-affected areas in Riyadh.
Almukati told Arab News: “Groundwater poses a challenge to cities because it is composed of several sources that are somewhat polluted. The main sources are leaks in sewage networks, leaks in drinking water networks, and rainwater.â€
He explained how a leakage threatens the development of a city because it has the potential to impact the electricity supply.
“The presence of groundwater, especially when it is close to the surface, sometimes affects electrical cables, which are a major part of the electricity supply to cities,†he added.
The polluted water from leakages or the gathering of stormwater not only impacts the connectivity of electricity, but also disadvantages construction work and the sector implementing residential work.
Almukati said: “On the roads we sometimes encounter groundwater seeps that are somewhat contaminated and not natural water, and this is where the big challenge lies.â€
The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center has strategies to reduce the problem and improve the overall experience for people in the Kingdom.
Almukati said: “The center works on infrastructure projects, developing a comprehensive action plan and studying the current situation in cooperation with relevant authorities. It develops strategies, including the importance of sewage networks, rainwater drainage networks, and groundwater reduction networks.
“The importance of these projects lies in reducing the impact of groundwater. Therefore, we work closely with the relevant authorities on a plan to ensure the implementation of these projects as soon as possible and their integration to minimize the impact on the city.â€
Although the contamination of surface groundwater has been a major issue for many nations around the globe, advances are being developed continuously to mitigate effects, said Almukati.
Societies are using more traditional solutions, the director said, when the utilization of technology, such as AI or other technologies, could be used to predict the issues prior to them happening.
AL-AHSA: It was a glorious occasion for 200 men and women when they were joined in holy matrimony here on Wednesday.
The mass wedding ceremony was held as a part of the “Taysir 2025†program, under the patronage of Al-Ahsa Gov. Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr.
Prince Saud is also honorary president of the Charity Society for Simplifying Marriage and Family Care of Al-Ahsa, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Held at King Faisal University, the ceremony included men and women from towns and cities in Al-Ahsa, and was organized by the charity in partnership with the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Endowments organization.
Several leading officials, ministers and family members of the couples attended the ceremony.
Prince Saud said he was proud that he could contribute to the stability of family life in the Kingdom, which was the basis of the nation’s prosperity and progress.
In a statement, Sheikh Nasser Al-Naim, chairman of the charity, thanked the Al-Ahsa governor for his ongoing support. He said the organization remains committed to supporting young people.
The attendees watched a film titled “Story of the Emerging Family Home,†a visual presentation on the mass wedding projects supported by Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Endowments organization, followed by a poem.
The ceremony concluded with a chant-based operetta in celebration of the occasion.
Abdul Karim Al-Fadda, director-general of the Sheikh Saleh Al-Rajhi Endowments organization, said the initiative was a part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aim to support social development.
