7 Arab countries take part in Baha honey festival
Posted by Zawya
Arab News
28 July 2010


JEDDAH: Bee farmers from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Algeria and Saudi Arabia are taking part in an international honey festival that opened in the southern tourist resort of Baha on Monday.

Prince Faisal bin Muhammad, deputy governor of Baha, opened the eight-day festival in Baljurashi and toured the 60 exhibitors' pavilions displaying various types of honey and its products.

Baljurashi Gov. Muhammad Dada noted the Baha governorate's support for bee farmers in the region. The governorate backed the formation of the first association of bee farmers in the Kingdom three years ago.

"The honey festival in Baha has become one of the main tourist attractions in the region," Dada said. He hoped that the annual festival would attract bee farmers from more countries in coming years.

Ahmed Al-Khazim, chairman of the organizing committee, said the festival is organized by the Association of Bee Farmers in cooperation with Abdullah Bugshan Honey Research Chair at King Saud University and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

"The festival will help honey farmers market their products, promote trade exchanges, understand the requirements of the honey business, exchange expertise in the field and enlighten the public on the importance of using honey," Al-Khazim said.

He emphasized the tremendous progress achieved by the Kingdom's honey industry during the past few years.

Saudi Arabia produces 8,000 tons of honey annually and imports 10,000 tons to meet the growing demand.

By P.K Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2010

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