Minister stresses Egypt's right to Nile water in Parliament
20 April 2010
CAIRO: Egypt won't sign any agreements that would hamper its "historical rights" to Nile water, the Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources told Parliament Monday.
"If Nile basin countries unilaterally sign a water-sharing agreement, it will be in violation of international law and the Nile basin initiative which was signed in 1959," Minister Mohamed Nasr Eldin Allam said.
"Egypt will not be obliged by this agreement which will not be legal," he added.
Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Mofid Shehab reiterated that international laws governing international rivers prohibit any of the countries through which the river passes from any act that would hamper navigation, affect its water or threaten the interests of other countries.
Shehab referred to numerous agreements struck with all Nile basin countries -- 1891, 1906, 1925, 1929, 1959 and 1991 -- that continue to be valid regardless of regime change.
In 1929 Egypt had signed an agreement with Britain as a representative of the occupied Nile basin countries, which gives Egypt 55.5 billion cubic meters of water each year -- 87 percent of the Nile's flow -- and Sudan 18.5 billion cubic meters.
"Egypt reserves the right to take whatever course it sees suitable to safeguard its share," Allam said.
"If the Nile basin countries unilaterally sign the agreement, this would be considered a declaration of the Nile Basin Initiative's death," he said.
But many maintain that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to any conflicts arising over water rights.
During the parliamentary session Zakaria Azmi, chief of the presidential staff, objected to National Democratic Party MP Abdel-Rehim El-Ghoul's statement that future wars would be over water and "we welcome this war if it is imposed to us."
Azmi explained that "this is a serious issue which should be handled with diplomacy." In response, El-Ghoul retracted his statement and asked to delete it from the PA records.
Parliament Speaker Fathi Sorour commented that the relationship between Nile basin countries must be conducted in a spirit of brotherhood.
During negotiations held in Sharm El-Sheikh last week, however, the 10 African governments failed to reach an agreement.
In addition to maintaining its current share of Nile water, Egypt insisted on having veto power over any new irrigation projects undertaken by the other nine countries.
The Sub-Saharan African states have rejected the clause and called for the signing of a revised agreement.
By Magdy Samaan
© Daily News Egypt 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100421050115/Minister%20stresses%20Egypt%27s%20right%20to%20Nile%20water%20in%20Parliament/
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Imports from Europe hit
20 April 2010
DOHA: Imports of fresh fruit and vegetable from Holland and Britain have been hit hard as air cargo is not arriving here since last weekend due to the disruption of air traffic in northern Europe.
A major outlet of fresh European vegetables and fruits said yesterday that the stocks that had arrived before the disruption in Europe, caused by a cloud of volcanic ash, were running out fast. "We have stocks left for another three to four days. That's all. Fresh stocks are not coming," an official from the outlet told this newspaper.
According to him, his outlet gets weekly supplies of these items of short shelf life, including European cheese, through Qatar Airways cargo services.
The official, however, said European exporters were in regular touch with them and updating them almost daily on the air traffic situation in their part of the world.
European vegetables and fruits here are expensive and the demand is mainly from Westerners. "If the stocks end we would have no option but to pray that air cargo services between the Gulf and Europe resume," said the official.
Fresh fruits and vegetables that are imported from Saudi Arabia, India, Jordan and Lebanon, among other countries, are much cheaper so demand for them is very high. Their supplies remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, an air cargo service provider told this newspaper that items other than perishables like fruits, vegetables and cheese that are imported from northern Europe include foodstuff that has longer shelf life, medical equipment and spare parts.
"Well, we hope that the air traffic disruptions in northern Europe wouldn't last long," said an official from the cargo company.
© The Peninsula 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100420032435/Qatar%20imports%20from%20Europe%20hit%20/
20 April 2010
DOHA: Imports of fresh fruit and vegetable from Holland and Britain have been hit hard as air cargo is not arriving here since last weekend due to the disruption of air traffic in northern Europe.
A major outlet of fresh European vegetables and fruits said yesterday that the stocks that had arrived before the disruption in Europe, caused by a cloud of volcanic ash, were running out fast. "We have stocks left for another three to four days. That's all. Fresh stocks are not coming," an official from the outlet told this newspaper.
According to him, his outlet gets weekly supplies of these items of short shelf life, including European cheese, through Qatar Airways cargo services.
The official, however, said European exporters were in regular touch with them and updating them almost daily on the air traffic situation in their part of the world.
European vegetables and fruits here are expensive and the demand is mainly from Westerners. "If the stocks end we would have no option but to pray that air cargo services between the Gulf and Europe resume," said the official.
Fresh fruits and vegetables that are imported from Saudi Arabia, India, Jordan and Lebanon, among other countries, are much cheaper so demand for them is very high. Their supplies remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, an air cargo service provider told this newspaper that items other than perishables like fruits, vegetables and cheese that are imported from northern Europe include foodstuff that has longer shelf life, medical equipment and spare parts.
"Well, we hope that the air traffic disruptions in northern Europe wouldn't last long," said an official from the cargo company.
© The Peninsula 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100420032435/Qatar%20imports%20from%20Europe%20hit%20/
Monday, April 19, 2010
Gov’t hires majority of Agriculture Ministry day labourers
AMMAN –– The government has employed 190 day labourers this week who were laid off by the Agriculture Ministry late last year, according to officials.
According to Mohammad Sneid, president of the public sector day labourers’ committee, the government started hiring the workers three days ago, enlisting their services in the agriculture, education, environment and industrial sectors.
He noted that the fate of the remaining 66 day labourers laid off by the ministry has yet to be determined.
“The remaining labourers are holders of diplomas and bachelor’s degrees and are registered in the Civil Service Bureau… this is why the government decided to postpone hiring them,” Sneid told The Jordan Times on Monday.
“We will not consider the case closed until all unemployed workers are appointed,” he stressed, commending the government’s efforts to address the matter.
Sneid indicated that 130 workers were reinstated at the Agriculture Ministry, adding that that 30 were hired at the Environment Ministry, eight at the Education Ministry and the rest were employed at the Jordan Industrial Estate Corporation.
He highlighted that the workers were hired at the same posts and salaries they received at the time of their dismissal, noting that Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Tawfiq Kreishan is following up on the matter.
The 256 labourers were laid off last December in accordance with a Cabinet decision preventing appointments outside the official payroll.
In August last year, the Cabinet decided to halt any recruitment outside the official payroll and to exempt the ministries of health and education from the decision for 2009 and 2010.
20 April 2010
http://jordantimes.com/?news=25848
AMMAN –– The government has employed 190 day labourers this week who were laid off by the Agriculture Ministry late last year, according to officials.
According to Mohammad Sneid, president of the public sector day labourers’ committee, the government started hiring the workers three days ago, enlisting their services in the agriculture, education, environment and industrial sectors.
He noted that the fate of the remaining 66 day labourers laid off by the ministry has yet to be determined.
“The remaining labourers are holders of diplomas and bachelor’s degrees and are registered in the Civil Service Bureau… this is why the government decided to postpone hiring them,” Sneid told The Jordan Times on Monday.
“We will not consider the case closed until all unemployed workers are appointed,” he stressed, commending the government’s efforts to address the matter.
Sneid indicated that 130 workers were reinstated at the Agriculture Ministry, adding that that 30 were hired at the Environment Ministry, eight at the Education Ministry and the rest were employed at the Jordan Industrial Estate Corporation.
He highlighted that the workers were hired at the same posts and salaries they received at the time of their dismissal, noting that Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Tawfiq Kreishan is following up on the matter.
The 256 labourers were laid off last December in accordance with a Cabinet decision preventing appointments outside the official payroll.
In August last year, the Cabinet decided to halt any recruitment outside the official payroll and to exempt the ministries of health and education from the decision for 2009 and 2010.
20 April 2010
http://jordantimes.com/?news=25848
"Capital Trust" and "Proparco" invest in "Wadi Holdings", a holding company operating in the agricultural and food industries in Egypt through a transaction of 8,5 million dollars
Beirut- April 19, 2010- "Capital Trust" announced today, in cooperation with "Proparco" the French government development arm, part of "L'Agence Française de Développement (AFD)", their investment in "Wadi Holdings", a holding company operating in the agricultural and food industries in Egypt, through an investment of 8,5 million dollars.
Capital Trust stated that its investment fund "EuroMena" has contributed 5.5 million dollars in the Wadi transaction and "Proparco" contributed 3 million dollars.
Wadi Holdings owns 14 subsidiaries operating in the agricultural and food industries with around three thousand and five hundred employees and revenues of around $240 million in 2009.
Wadi Holdings operates in 4 business units. The major unit relates to poultry and focuses on raising chicks of various world breeds and the production of one day old chicks that are sold to farmers to raise them up in order to have table eggs and poultry meat. Wadi Holdings was awarded many prizes in Egypt and the Middle East region, for applying strict bio-security procedures, and for being the leader in the implementation of such procedures.
Wadi Holdings operates as well in the agricultural and food sectors. It focuses on olive and grape plantations and the production of its derivatives such as olive oil, olives, pickles and other products.
Wadi Holdings won several awards and certificates (ISO and HACCP) after having participated in many competitions organized by the World Council of olive oil.
Wadi Holdings is actively involved as well in the production and trading of feed, in addition to the production of glass containers, which is partially used for canning its own food products, with many expansion plans set in this field. Wadi Holdings aims to be the leader in the production of glass containers in Egypt in 2010 especially after the operation of new furnaces with the capacity of 240 tons per day. Mr. Moussa Freiji, Wadi Holdings
President, Mr. Tony Freiji, Executive Director and Mr. Ramzi Nasrallah, Chief Financial Officer, welcomed the new investors and confirmed that Wadi Holdings is a leader in the agro-industrial sector on the local and the regional levels and established an extensive presence in the region especially in Lebanon and Sudan."
Euromena and Proparco will assist Wadi Holdings in its expansion and growth plans. Mr. Gilles de Clerck, Senior Manager of the EuroMena Funds stated that Wadi Holdings offers significant growth opportunities in line with EuroMena investment strategy which aims to develop and consolidate the promising sectors and industries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr. Guillaume Mortelier, an official of Proparco, declared that he is very comfortable with the said partnership and added: "We believe it is a successful operation, considering that Wadi Holdings benefits from an excellent track-record since its foundation and opens up very promising opportunities." He pointed out that Proparco is seeking to fund a number of expansion projects related to the group, including the acquisition and development of agricultural lands in Sudan, with the development dimension of Proparco's mission and objectives.
Mr. Gilles de Clerck stated that the partnership with Freiji and Nasrallah, two lebanese families and majority owners of Wadi Holdings, will pave the way for other investments in the field of the agriculture and food industries." He added that the investment of EuroMena in Wadi Holdings is a starting point for other projects and investments in the field of agricultural and food Industries, especially that a high demand is expected in the coming years."
He added that Wadi Holdings is characterized by the diversity of the sectors it operates in while providing a wide range of exit strategies.
Mr. Romen Mathieu, Managing Director of EuroMena, pointed out that EuroMena aims as usual to exit from the investments within 3 to 5 years. He noted as well that one of the exit strategies available for EuroMena investment from Wadi Holdings is listing the company on the Egyptian Stock Exchange in the coming years then offering it for public subscription, through an initial public offering (IPO).
Mr. Mathieu confirmed that the investment in Wadi Holdings is the last one for "EuroMena I" thus the fund would have fully invested its capital in less than 4 years and declared that very promising prospects are expected for the new Capital Trust Fund, "EuroMena II". The EuroMena Fund is a $65 million private equity fund sponsored by Capital Trust Group, dedicated to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. EuroMena was established in March 2006 with the goal of developing and consolidating promising sectors and industries in the MENA region. EuroMena was successfully invested in diverse sectors including construction materials, banking, financial services, printing and packaging food, IT, insurance, etc in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. EuroMena II was raised in 2009 with commitments of $100 million to be invested in the MENA region.
PROPARCO is a Development Financial Institution partly held by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and private shareholders from the North and South. PROPARCO's mission is to be a catalyst for private investment in developing countries which targets growth, sustainable development and reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). PROPARCO finances operations which are economically viable, socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and financially profitable. Its sectoral strategy is tailored to the level of a country's development and focuses on the productive sector, financial systems, infrastructure and equity investment. PROPARCO invests in a geographical area ranging from major emerging countries to the poorest countries, in particular in Africa, and has high-level requirements in terms of Social and Environmental Responsibility. PROPARCO has a wide range of financial instruments to meet the specific needs of private investors in developing countries (loans, equity, guarantees and financial engineering). PROPARCO has a team of 130 people, eleven regional offices and is supported by 50 AFD Group agencies worldwide. In 2009 PROPARCO granted €1, 1 billion for over sixty projects in more than thirty countries.
-Ends-
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419080539/%22Capital%20Trust%22%20and%20%22Proparco%22%20invest%20in%20%20%22Wadi%20Holdings%22%2C%20a%20holding%20company%20%20operating%20in%20the%20agricultural%20and
%20food%20industries%20in%20Egypt%20through%20a
%20transaction%20of%208%2C5%20million%20dollars/
Beirut- April 19, 2010- "Capital Trust" announced today, in cooperation with "Proparco" the French government development arm, part of "L'Agence Française de Développement (AFD)", their investment in "Wadi Holdings", a holding company operating in the agricultural and food industries in Egypt, through an investment of 8,5 million dollars.
Capital Trust stated that its investment fund "EuroMena" has contributed 5.5 million dollars in the Wadi transaction and "Proparco" contributed 3 million dollars.
Wadi Holdings owns 14 subsidiaries operating in the agricultural and food industries with around three thousand and five hundred employees and revenues of around $240 million in 2009.
Wadi Holdings operates in 4 business units. The major unit relates to poultry and focuses on raising chicks of various world breeds and the production of one day old chicks that are sold to farmers to raise them up in order to have table eggs and poultry meat. Wadi Holdings was awarded many prizes in Egypt and the Middle East region, for applying strict bio-security procedures, and for being the leader in the implementation of such procedures.
Wadi Holdings operates as well in the agricultural and food sectors. It focuses on olive and grape plantations and the production of its derivatives such as olive oil, olives, pickles and other products.
Wadi Holdings won several awards and certificates (ISO and HACCP) after having participated in many competitions organized by the World Council of olive oil.
Wadi Holdings is actively involved as well in the production and trading of feed, in addition to the production of glass containers, which is partially used for canning its own food products, with many expansion plans set in this field. Wadi Holdings aims to be the leader in the production of glass containers in Egypt in 2010 especially after the operation of new furnaces with the capacity of 240 tons per day. Mr. Moussa Freiji, Wadi Holdings
President, Mr. Tony Freiji, Executive Director and Mr. Ramzi Nasrallah, Chief Financial Officer, welcomed the new investors and confirmed that Wadi Holdings is a leader in the agro-industrial sector on the local and the regional levels and established an extensive presence in the region especially in Lebanon and Sudan."
Euromena and Proparco will assist Wadi Holdings in its expansion and growth plans. Mr. Gilles de Clerck, Senior Manager of the EuroMena Funds stated that Wadi Holdings offers significant growth opportunities in line with EuroMena investment strategy which aims to develop and consolidate the promising sectors and industries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr. Guillaume Mortelier, an official of Proparco, declared that he is very comfortable with the said partnership and added: "We believe it is a successful operation, considering that Wadi Holdings benefits from an excellent track-record since its foundation and opens up very promising opportunities." He pointed out that Proparco is seeking to fund a number of expansion projects related to the group, including the acquisition and development of agricultural lands in Sudan, with the development dimension of Proparco's mission and objectives.
Mr. Gilles de Clerck stated that the partnership with Freiji and Nasrallah, two lebanese families and majority owners of Wadi Holdings, will pave the way for other investments in the field of the agriculture and food industries." He added that the investment of EuroMena in Wadi Holdings is a starting point for other projects and investments in the field of agricultural and food Industries, especially that a high demand is expected in the coming years."
He added that Wadi Holdings is characterized by the diversity of the sectors it operates in while providing a wide range of exit strategies.
Mr. Romen Mathieu, Managing Director of EuroMena, pointed out that EuroMena aims as usual to exit from the investments within 3 to 5 years. He noted as well that one of the exit strategies available for EuroMena investment from Wadi Holdings is listing the company on the Egyptian Stock Exchange in the coming years then offering it for public subscription, through an initial public offering (IPO).
Mr. Mathieu confirmed that the investment in Wadi Holdings is the last one for "EuroMena I" thus the fund would have fully invested its capital in less than 4 years and declared that very promising prospects are expected for the new Capital Trust Fund, "EuroMena II". The EuroMena Fund is a $65 million private equity fund sponsored by Capital Trust Group, dedicated to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. EuroMena was established in March 2006 with the goal of developing and consolidating promising sectors and industries in the MENA region. EuroMena was successfully invested in diverse sectors including construction materials, banking, financial services, printing and packaging food, IT, insurance, etc in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. EuroMena II was raised in 2009 with commitments of $100 million to be invested in the MENA region.
PROPARCO is a Development Financial Institution partly held by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and private shareholders from the North and South. PROPARCO's mission is to be a catalyst for private investment in developing countries which targets growth, sustainable development and reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). PROPARCO finances operations which are economically viable, socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and financially profitable. Its sectoral strategy is tailored to the level of a country's development and focuses on the productive sector, financial systems, infrastructure and equity investment. PROPARCO invests in a geographical area ranging from major emerging countries to the poorest countries, in particular in Africa, and has high-level requirements in terms of Social and Environmental Responsibility. PROPARCO has a wide range of financial instruments to meet the specific needs of private investors in developing countries (loans, equity, guarantees and financial engineering). PROPARCO has a team of 130 people, eleven regional offices and is supported by 50 AFD Group agencies worldwide. In 2009 PROPARCO granted €1, 1 billion for over sixty projects in more than thirty countries.
-Ends-
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419080539/%22Capital%20Trust%22%20and%20%22Proparco%22%20invest%20in%20%20%22Wadi%20Holdings%22%2C%20a%20holding%20company%20%20operating%20in%20the%20agricultural%20and
%20food%20industries%20in%20Egypt%20through%20a
%20transaction%20of%208%2C5%20million%20dollars/
Manna to succeed Baroum as Savola CEO
19 April 2010
JEDDAH: Abdul Raouf Manna has been named to succeed Sami Baroum as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Savola Group. He will replace Baroum from July 1.
The announcement on Sunday came a day after Baroum surprised the corporate world by announcing that he would step down from June 30. He gave no reason for his sudden move. However, a source at Savola
was quoted as saying that he was "resigning for personal motives. His family is in the United States and he has grown tired of frequent trips to America."
Manna has held several senior positions in the group during the past 15 years.
Meanwhile, Savola, with a wide portfolio of businesses including edible oils, sugar, plastic packaging, retail and real estate, on Sunday posted a jump of 104 percent in net profit during the first quarter, almost half of which came from non-recurring capital gains, beating analysts' forecasts.
The group made a net profit of SR394 million ($105.1 million) in the three months ending March, compared to SR193 million in the same period the year earlier, it said in a statement.
Excluding capital gains from the flotation earlier this year of fast-food chain Herfy, Savola's net profit stands at SR198 million, which is 10 percent above the company's own projections for the first quarter of 2010.
Savola said it expected to make a net profit of SR205 million in the second quarter which is 3.5 percent below its profits a year ago.
By SHAHEEN NAZAR
© Arab News 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419060151/Manna%20to%20succeed%20Baroum%20as%20Savola%20CEO/
19 April 2010
JEDDAH: Abdul Raouf Manna has been named to succeed Sami Baroum as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Savola Group. He will replace Baroum from July 1.
The announcement on Sunday came a day after Baroum surprised the corporate world by announcing that he would step down from June 30. He gave no reason for his sudden move. However, a source at Savola
was quoted as saying that he was "resigning for personal motives. His family is in the United States and he has grown tired of frequent trips to America."
Manna has held several senior positions in the group during the past 15 years.
Meanwhile, Savola, with a wide portfolio of businesses including edible oils, sugar, plastic packaging, retail and real estate, on Sunday posted a jump of 104 percent in net profit during the first quarter, almost half of which came from non-recurring capital gains, beating analysts' forecasts.
The group made a net profit of SR394 million ($105.1 million) in the three months ending March, compared to SR193 million in the same period the year earlier, it said in a statement.
Excluding capital gains from the flotation earlier this year of fast-food chain Herfy, Savola's net profit stands at SR198 million, which is 10 percent above the company's own projections for the first quarter of 2010.
Savola said it expected to make a net profit of SR205 million in the second quarter which is 3.5 percent below its profits a year ago.
By SHAHEEN NAZAR
© Arab News 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419060151/Manna%20to%20succeed%20Baroum%20as%20Savola%20CEO/
Brazil's fresh fruit imports to the Middle East rise 8.4 per cent to USD 9.31 million in 2009
19 April 2010
World's 3rd largest fruit producer to feature exotic products at Brasil Trade Middle East 2010
Brazil exported fresh fruits worth USD 9.31 million to the Arab region in 2009, representing an 8.4 increase over 2008 trade. Brazilian producers will highlight popular exotic fruits this year during the Brasil Trade Middle East 2010 multi-industry trade show taking place from May 9 to 11, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.
Brazil, the third largest producer of fruit in the world, harvests around 43 million tons of the commodity yearly. Its main Arab importers include Lebanon, the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. Grapes, melons, apples and mangoes accounted for most of Brazil's fruit shipments to the Middle East in 2009. Participants at Brasil Trade Middle East 2010 will discuss the growing demand for the South American country's exotic fruits, which are produced under strict environmental and preservation standards. They will also address key issues such as the need for more direct export routes to the Arab markets.
"Fruits imported from Brazil are very popular in the Middle East due to their freshness and variety. Countries such as the UAE are placing greater emphasis on health and nutrition and so we can expect exotic Brazilian fruits such as the açaí berry, which has high levels of antioxidants, to gain strong consumer patronage. Throughout the Brasil Trade Middle East guests and potential buyers will have a clearer picture of just how diverse and healthy Brazilian fruits are," said Alessandro Teixeira, President, Apex-Brasil.
Participating Brazilian fruit companies will particularly promote fruit juices, Amazonian fruits and fruit pulps, dehydrated fruit juice, and even chocolate candies with Amazonian fruit fillings during Brasil Trade Middle East.
Over 30 exporters representing more than 100 leading Brazilian producers and manufacturers will showcase products and services in construction and construction materials, furniture and decoration, and auto parts during the three-day trade expo, which is being organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419084021/Brazil%27s%20fresh%20fruit%20imports%20to%20the%20Middle%20East%20rise%208.4%25/
19 April 2010
World's 3rd largest fruit producer to feature exotic products at Brasil Trade Middle East 2010
Brazil exported fresh fruits worth USD 9.31 million to the Arab region in 2009, representing an 8.4 increase over 2008 trade. Brazilian producers will highlight popular exotic fruits this year during the Brasil Trade Middle East 2010 multi-industry trade show taking place from May 9 to 11, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.
Brazil, the third largest producer of fruit in the world, harvests around 43 million tons of the commodity yearly. Its main Arab importers include Lebanon, the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. Grapes, melons, apples and mangoes accounted for most of Brazil's fruit shipments to the Middle East in 2009. Participants at Brasil Trade Middle East 2010 will discuss the growing demand for the South American country's exotic fruits, which are produced under strict environmental and preservation standards. They will also address key issues such as the need for more direct export routes to the Arab markets.
"Fruits imported from Brazil are very popular in the Middle East due to their freshness and variety. Countries such as the UAE are placing greater emphasis on health and nutrition and so we can expect exotic Brazilian fruits such as the açaí berry, which has high levels of antioxidants, to gain strong consumer patronage. Throughout the Brasil Trade Middle East guests and potential buyers will have a clearer picture of just how diverse and healthy Brazilian fruits are," said Alessandro Teixeira, President, Apex-Brasil.
Participating Brazilian fruit companies will particularly promote fruit juices, Amazonian fruits and fruit pulps, dehydrated fruit juice, and even chocolate candies with Amazonian fruit fillings during Brasil Trade Middle East.
Over 30 exporters representing more than 100 leading Brazilian producers and manufacturers will showcase products and services in construction and construction materials, furniture and decoration, and auto parts during the three-day trade expo, which is being organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100419084021/Brazil%27s%20fresh%20fruit%20imports%20to%20the%20Middle%20East%20rise%208.4%25/
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Swaziland Keen on Agro Cooperation
Iran Daily
18 April 2010
Foreign Minister of Swaziland Lutfo Dlamini on Saturday urged expansion of two-way agricultural cooperation.
In a meeting with Minister of Agricultural Jahad Sadeq Khalilian in Tehran, Dlamini added that the standpoint of the leader and Iranian officials toward Africa is praiseworthy.
"It is appropriate that the Iranian government and people consider bolstering ties with Swaziland as a role model of cooperation with African countries," he noted, IRNA reported.
He referred to two-way cooperation in foodstuff security and in attaining self-reliance as well as joint investment ventures in his country and recalled mechanization of irrigation system is among the needs of Swaziland's agro sector.
Khalilian said improving relations with African countries is a priority of Iran.
"In tandem with this policy, the Agricultural Jihad Ministry seeks expansion of economic collaboration in the agro sector, especially regarding infrastructural and developmental projects, with African states," he added.
The Iranian minister also said Iran can transfer its experiences in terms of agro production, self-reliance and foodstuff security to Swaziland.
The Kingdom of Swaziland is located in the south of African continent. It has a population of 1.5 million and extends over an area of 17,364 square kilometers.
© Iran Daily 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100418051327/Swaziland%20Keen%20on%20Agro%20Cooperation%20with%20Iran/
Iran Daily
18 April 2010
Foreign Minister of Swaziland Lutfo Dlamini on Saturday urged expansion of two-way agricultural cooperation.
In a meeting with Minister of Agricultural Jahad Sadeq Khalilian in Tehran, Dlamini added that the standpoint of the leader and Iranian officials toward Africa is praiseworthy.
"It is appropriate that the Iranian government and people consider bolstering ties with Swaziland as a role model of cooperation with African countries," he noted, IRNA reported.
He referred to two-way cooperation in foodstuff security and in attaining self-reliance as well as joint investment ventures in his country and recalled mechanization of irrigation system is among the needs of Swaziland's agro sector.
Khalilian said improving relations with African countries is a priority of Iran.
"In tandem with this policy, the Agricultural Jihad Ministry seeks expansion of economic collaboration in the agro sector, especially regarding infrastructural and developmental projects, with African states," he added.
The Iranian minister also said Iran can transfer its experiences in terms of agro production, self-reliance and foodstuff security to Swaziland.
The Kingdom of Swaziland is located in the south of African continent. It has a population of 1.5 million and extends over an area of 17,364 square kilometers.
© Iran Daily 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100418051327/Swaziland%20Keen%20on%20Agro%20Cooperation%20with%20Iran/
Farming in Qatar remains challenging: Businessman
18 April 2010
DOHA: A number of farms in the north of the country are being turned into livestock raising facilities since their owners do not see any economic benefit in pursuing cultivation.
Farming in Qatar remains a challenging business not only because of harsh climatic conditions and lack of water but also because state backing to the sector is nil or negligible.
And whatever little quantities of vegetables are grown in the country also face a serious threat as farmers are switching fast to animal feed cultivation due to skyrocketing prices.
Animal feed commands almost three times the price in Qatar as in other GCC countries due to rapidly growing demand.
Says Mohamed Al Obaidly, who owns the country’s oldest agriculture-linked business: “In the absence of state support and agricultural research centres, people who are into farming have been moving into other businesses.”
There are no nurseries where quality seeds and saplings are available and then, there are no research and development centres devoted to agriculture, he says.
Al Obaidly is of the opinion that if the government is serious about backing the agricultural sector, it must set up an agency as a first step and this agency must actively coordinate with other state agencies to provide the necessary support to farmers.
According to Mubarak Al Hajri, who owns farms and is into other businesses as well, licensing procedures to set up an agricultural business are time-consuming and entail a lot of paperwork.
“These procedures should be simplified in the first place and then, research centres should be set up and enough incentives should be provided to those who want to pursue agriculture,” says Al Hajri.
He argues that new technologies are available which can help desert land support cultivation.
Then, there are desert plants that can grow in desert climate. “We must focus on such plants. They need brackish water which we have aplenty. These plants can be used to turn our coastline green,” argues Al Hajri.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2010&file=Local_News2010041821450.xml
18 April 2010
DOHA: A number of farms in the north of the country are being turned into livestock raising facilities since their owners do not see any economic benefit in pursuing cultivation.
Farming in Qatar remains a challenging business not only because of harsh climatic conditions and lack of water but also because state backing to the sector is nil or negligible.
And whatever little quantities of vegetables are grown in the country also face a serious threat as farmers are switching fast to animal feed cultivation due to skyrocketing prices.
Animal feed commands almost three times the price in Qatar as in other GCC countries due to rapidly growing demand.
Says Mohamed Al Obaidly, who owns the country’s oldest agriculture-linked business: “In the absence of state support and agricultural research centres, people who are into farming have been moving into other businesses.”
There are no nurseries where quality seeds and saplings are available and then, there are no research and development centres devoted to agriculture, he says.
Al Obaidly is of the opinion that if the government is serious about backing the agricultural sector, it must set up an agency as a first step and this agency must actively coordinate with other state agencies to provide the necessary support to farmers.
According to Mubarak Al Hajri, who owns farms and is into other businesses as well, licensing procedures to set up an agricultural business are time-consuming and entail a lot of paperwork.
“These procedures should be simplified in the first place and then, research centres should be set up and enough incentives should be provided to those who want to pursue agriculture,” says Al Hajri.
He argues that new technologies are available which can help desert land support cultivation.
Then, there are desert plants that can grow in desert climate. “We must focus on such plants. They need brackish water which we have aplenty. These plants can be used to turn our coastline green,” argues Al Hajri.
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2010&file=Local_News2010041821450.xml
Friday, April 16, 2010
Back to nature the organic way
The farm has been a long time coming. Through her business partnership with Abdullah Bel Habb, an Emirati with a farming background among several other business ventures, they have worked hard so that Nazwa Organic Farm sells directly to its customers — cutting out the supermarkets.
Published: 00:00 April 17, 2010
Dubai: "I love Brussels sprouts and I'm determined to succeed," says Elena Kinane, general manager of Nazwa Organic Farm located outside Dubai on the Hatta road.
Even at nine months pregnant and waiting for the imminent arrival of her second child, Kinane, 35, of German-Armenian origin is excited to point out leaves of basil, rocket and romaine lettuce, cabbage, capsicum and cherry tomatoes, biting into whatever looks ripe — while most mothers-to-be would be resting with their feet up.
Delicious organic cherry tomatoes
"This didn't happen over night," she is quick to add walking around what is now a 42-acre organic farm producing around 65 types of fruit and vegetables at 7am.
"It took 10 years to build. Through trial and error, we are adding slowly to our selection of vegetables to provide the community of Dubai with organic produce," said Kinane.
The farm has been a long time coming. Through her business partnership with Abdullah Bel Habb, an Emirati with a farming background among several other business ventures, they have worked hard so that Nazwa Organic Farm sells directly to its customers — cutting out the supermarkets.
"We have had offers to package our lettuce and put it in supermarkets but I don't want to put my leaves in a bag and ship them around. We want to keep the food mileage low. We have one small shop and minimise packaging," said Kinane.
Up to 300kg of vegetables are produced on the farm including corn, red cabbage, potatoes, courgettes, aubergines, carrots, lettuces and herbs, and sold in a small shop near Al Manara Street in Umm Suqeim. Delivery in Arabian Ranches is free.
"We harvest every day. As you can see the tomatoes are growing at different rates on the vine," she said, lifting up a bunch of bright red cherry tomatoes hanging next to small green barely ripened ones.
"It's a typical sign of organic farming that they're all at different stages of growth. Traditional farms produce crops that are the same size and grow at the same rate."
While Brussels sprouts may not be everyone's favourite vegetable, they are on her ‘to grow' list — along with hopefully figs, lemons and mangoes in the future. For now the focus is on leafy green vegetables and herbs, and watermelons and melons.
"We're trying to build up our strawberries. So far we get about 25 punnets a week. But we do get people that come to the shop and get upset because they are not available. You can't predict anything with organic produce and we really want people to understand that," said Kinane.
The farm was certified organic in September 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Water. Tests were carried out on the soil at ground level, 60cm depth and 120cm depth. Crop samples were tested during three different stages of growth to pick up any traces of chemicals — of which there were none.
The farm consists of 45 ‘grow' houses — sturdy square-shaped hangars with industrial fans at one end for ventilation and nine older traditional greenhouses.
"We're 100 per cent chemical free but we do regulate the temperature and the humidity in the grow houses. We can play with the conditions to provide an optimum environment for things to grow," said Kinane. "We never grow the same crop on the same field twice in a row. We leave the [sandy] soil to rest and lay down manure before we sow."
Is organic better?
Free range chicken fed on fresh alfalfa leaves
In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater with synthetic fertilisers and pesticides is a major problem. As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers such as compost or animal manure.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity.
Benefits: Fruitful venture
* Delicious organic cherry tomatoes.
* Yellow peppers being cultivated at Nazwa Organic Farm.
* Organic basil in full bloom.
* Honeydew melon at the farm.
* Organic corn, red cabbage and broccoli grow in the open.
* Free range chicken fed on fresh alfalfa leaves.
Farming process
1 The fields are cleared of roots of anything that was previously grown and left to rest and breathe. To be certified, the soil is tested at ground level, 60cm depth and 120cm depth to make sure no pesticides are in the soil.
2 Fertilisation prepares the soil for crops. Compost made up of leaves, foliage, roots or rotten crops is left to decompose. This compost is used as fertiliser and is laid out and mixed in to the soil, watered and left for 2-3 weeks to replenish itself.
3 All crops are grown in soil. Hydroculture where crops are grown in water is not done at Nazwa Organic Farm. Companion Planting is when certain crops are grown together to minimise disease and insects.
4 Crops are watered and as they ripen, harvested letting other crop ripen in their own time.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/back-to-nature-the-organic-way-1.613413
The farm has been a long time coming. Through her business partnership with Abdullah Bel Habb, an Emirati with a farming background among several other business ventures, they have worked hard so that Nazwa Organic Farm sells directly to its customers — cutting out the supermarkets.
Published: 00:00 April 17, 2010
Dubai: "I love Brussels sprouts and I'm determined to succeed," says Elena Kinane, general manager of Nazwa Organic Farm located outside Dubai on the Hatta road.
Even at nine months pregnant and waiting for the imminent arrival of her second child, Kinane, 35, of German-Armenian origin is excited to point out leaves of basil, rocket and romaine lettuce, cabbage, capsicum and cherry tomatoes, biting into whatever looks ripe — while most mothers-to-be would be resting with their feet up.
Delicious organic cherry tomatoes
"This didn't happen over night," she is quick to add walking around what is now a 42-acre organic farm producing around 65 types of fruit and vegetables at 7am.
"It took 10 years to build. Through trial and error, we are adding slowly to our selection of vegetables to provide the community of Dubai with organic produce," said Kinane.
Yellow peppers being cultivated at Nazwa Organic Farm
The farm has been a long time coming. Through her business partnership with Abdullah Bel Habb, an Emirati with a farming background among several other business ventures, they have worked hard so that Nazwa Organic Farm sells directly to its customers — cutting out the supermarkets.
"We have had offers to package our lettuce and put it in supermarkets but I don't want to put my leaves in a bag and ship them around. We want to keep the food mileage low. We have one small shop and minimise packaging," said Kinane.
Up to 300kg of vegetables are produced on the farm including corn, red cabbage, potatoes, courgettes, aubergines, carrots, lettuces and herbs, and sold in a small shop near Al Manara Street in Umm Suqeim. Delivery in Arabian Ranches is free.
"We harvest every day. As you can see the tomatoes are growing at different rates on the vine," she said, lifting up a bunch of bright red cherry tomatoes hanging next to small green barely ripened ones.
"It's a typical sign of organic farming that they're all at different stages of growth. Traditional farms produce crops that are the same size and grow at the same rate."
While Brussels sprouts may not be everyone's favourite vegetable, they are on her ‘to grow' list — along with hopefully figs, lemons and mangoes in the future. For now the focus is on leafy green vegetables and herbs, and watermelons and melons.
Honeydew melon at the farm.
"We're trying to build up our strawberries. So far we get about 25 punnets a week. But we do get people that come to the shop and get upset because they are not available. You can't predict anything with organic produce and we really want people to understand that," said Kinane.
The farm was certified organic in September 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Water. Tests were carried out on the soil at ground level, 60cm depth and 120cm depth. Crop samples were tested during three different stages of growth to pick up any traces of chemicals — of which there were none.
The farm consists of 45 ‘grow' houses — sturdy square-shaped hangars with industrial fans at one end for ventilation and nine older traditional greenhouses.
"We're 100 per cent chemical free but we do regulate the temperature and the humidity in the grow houses. We can play with the conditions to provide an optimum environment for things to grow," said Kinane. "We never grow the same crop on the same field twice in a row. We leave the [sandy] soil to rest and lay down manure before we sow."
Is organic better?
Organic farming uses methods that are less aggressive on the land and crops as no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used. Crop rotation ensures that soils are not stripped of their nutrients and is productive for a longer period of time.
In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater with synthetic fertilisers and pesticides is a major problem. As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers such as compost or animal manure.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity.
Benefits: Fruitful venture
* Delicious organic cherry tomatoes.
* Yellow peppers being cultivated at Nazwa Organic Farm.
* Organic basil in full bloom.
* Honeydew melon at the farm.
* Organic corn, red cabbage and broccoli grow in the open.
* Free range chicken fed on fresh alfalfa leaves.
Farming process
1 The fields are cleared of roots of anything that was previously grown and left to rest and breathe. To be certified, the soil is tested at ground level, 60cm depth and 120cm depth to make sure no pesticides are in the soil.
2 Fertilisation prepares the soil for crops. Compost made up of leaves, foliage, roots or rotten crops is left to decompose. This compost is used as fertiliser and is laid out and mixed in to the soil, watered and left for 2-3 weeks to replenish itself.
3 All crops are grown in soil. Hydroculture where crops are grown in water is not done at Nazwa Organic Farm. Companion Planting is when certain crops are grown together to minimise disease and insects.
4 Crops are watered and as they ripen, harvested letting other crop ripen in their own time.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/back-to-nature-the-organic-way-1.613413
Agricultural indicators on the rise in cultivated areas and milk production
The positive impact of recent rains recorded at the beginning of April on the growth of crops was the focus a work session on Thursday in Tunis.
Mr. Abdessalem Mansour, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries chaired the event.
According to reports from field visits, undertaken by working groups monitoring cereal crops region, a growth was recorded in 37% of cultivated areas, located in the humid and semi-humid regions.
Works of the working session unveiled the importance to continue operations of irrigation as well as to increase the processing actions against diseases.
In a related event, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries chaired a second working session on breeding. The event aims at examining the distribution growth rate, fodder production of red meat and dairy.
The surface of fodder crops have also increased in autumn to reach 310,005 hectares, an increase of 5, 000 hectares in comparison with the previous season. As for the surface of fodder crops for the summer season, it has reached 23.560 hectares against 20, 000 hectares during the last season.
The milk collection in the first months of 2010 is estimated at 161 million liters, an increase of 8.8% over the same period of 2009. In addition, until April 12, 2010, the stockpile of milk rose to 33 million liters.
Accordingly, the monitoring of red meat sector was the focus of this meeting. Participants stressed the importance of achieving the registration program on livestock and pay attention to the tracking system of red meat production.
A bumper harvest is also estimated at 3 million quintals of grain is provided in the governorate of Beja, which provides from 25 to 40% of the national cereal production.
http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=37192
The positive impact of recent rains recorded at the beginning of April on the growth of crops was the focus a work session on Thursday in Tunis.
Mr. Abdessalem Mansour, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries chaired the event.
According to reports from field visits, undertaken by working groups monitoring cereal crops region, a growth was recorded in 37% of cultivated areas, located in the humid and semi-humid regions.
Works of the working session unveiled the importance to continue operations of irrigation as well as to increase the processing actions against diseases.
In a related event, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries chaired a second working session on breeding. The event aims at examining the distribution growth rate, fodder production of red meat and dairy.
The surface of fodder crops have also increased in autumn to reach 310,005 hectares, an increase of 5, 000 hectares in comparison with the previous season. As for the surface of fodder crops for the summer season, it has reached 23.560 hectares against 20, 000 hectares during the last season.
The milk collection in the first months of 2010 is estimated at 161 million liters, an increase of 8.8% over the same period of 2009. In addition, until April 12, 2010, the stockpile of milk rose to 33 million liters.
Accordingly, the monitoring of red meat sector was the focus of this meeting. Participants stressed the importance of achieving the registration program on livestock and pay attention to the tracking system of red meat production.
A bumper harvest is also estimated at 3 million quintals of grain is provided in the governorate of Beja, which provides from 25 to 40% of the national cereal production.
http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=37192
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Leading international wood importer says demand for exotic timber in Middle East region to increase
15 April 2010
Green Resources SL showcases tropical timber and by-products at 'Dubai WoodShow' 2010 debut Green Resources SL, a leading company in the international wood import industry, has expressed optimism that the demand for exotic timber in the Middle East region is likely to increase over the next few years. The company, which is making its 
debut at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', has pointed out that despite the current global economic down turn, the Middle East region's construction and development sector remains the least unaffected - thereby creating a constant demand for key construction materials like wood and timber. Green Resources SL's participation also marks the company's commitment to connect its suppliers of Western African sawmills with some of the top wood-based importers from the Middle East and North African region (MENA).
20for%20exotic%20timber%20in%20Middle%20East%20region%20to%20increase/
15 April 2010
Green Resources SL showcases tropical timber and by-products at 'Dubai WoodShow' 2010 debut Green Resources SL, a leading company in the international wood import industry, has expressed optimism that the demand for exotic timber in the Middle East region is likely to increase over the next few years. The company, which is making its
The company, which is known for its specialization in international wood and wood product trading with West Africa, is currently showcasing its 30 years of experienced trading with a wide product display of exotic timber including iroko, sapelli, ayous, samba, tali, okan, ako, amazokoue, badi, mansonia, embero, boda, bosse, bubinga, dabema, emien, etimoe, eyong, frake, okoume, limbali, agba, izombe and azobe. Green Resources SL is also highlighting its current line of high quality tropical timber based products like timber, laminated boards, rotary cut veneer, flooring, plywood and 3-ply profiles. The company has an average annual turnover of EUR 19 million and sources its supply of exotic timber from tropical countries like the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and Gabon.
"Participating for the first time at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' has allowed us the immense opportunity of forging new partnerships and creating business opportunities with the region's key players," said Abel Guilien Mateu, Sales Director, Green Resources SL. "The event has become an important and strategic venue to help connect wood based suppliers like us with contractors, vendors and distributors, and we remain positive of the prospects in the region, given our confidence that the demand for exotic timber will increase in the next few years."
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100415071444/Leading%20international%20wood%20importer%20says%20demand%20for%20exotic%20timber%20in%20Middle%20East%20region%20to%20increase/
Russia focuses on advancing investment climate on wood industry in 2010
15 April 2010
Russian timber company 'Forestry Holding Altailes' marks extensive presence at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010'
20climate%20in%20wood%20industry%20in%202010/
Russian timber company 'Forestry Holding Altailes' marks extensive presence at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010'
Russia is focusing on advancing the investment climate within its wood industry this year, with aims to recover from the sharp fall in export demand for timber it has witnessed as a result of the global financial crisis. In line with this, Russian timber company 'Forestry Holding Altailes' is marking an extensive presence at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', the Middle East's only wood-focused exhibition of its kind, to showcase its high quality timber goods among regional and global buyers. The company's participation at the event is part of its plans to maximise opportunities in the Middle East.
According to recent reports, there has been a significant decline in the production of solid wood panels in Russia, which dropped by 39.8 per cent during the first half of 2009, compared to the corresponding period in 2008. During the same period, materials such as plywood (declined 36.2 per cent), wood stoves (dropped 30.9 per cent), timber (dipped 22.4 per cent), and wooden building structures (decreased 26.9 per cent) also followed suit. However, the figures released by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia have shown that the sliding output in the wood sector has slugged compared to the rate of decline seen in the fourth quarter of 2008, with most commodity groups witnessing a 10 to 25 per cent rise in the level of capacity utilisation.
"Given the present state of the Russian wood trade, our highest priority is to develop an effective strategy to make adjustments in our manufacturing process to be able to keep pace with the ever-changing market requirement," said Loginov Dmitriy, Head of the Marketing Department, Forestry Holding Altailes. "The 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' has been an excellent venue to gather the latest industry intelligence that will help us maximise our partnerships with our most important wood trading partners, and we believe that participating in vibrant discussions in the event will open up profitable opportunities for us."
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100415065209/Russia%20focuses%20on%20advancing%20investment%20climate%20in%20wood%20industry%20in%202010/
Gulf Timber Company underlines importance of certified wood at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010'
15 April 2010
Company showcases new outdoor flooring made out of European ash from certified forests
Gulf Timber Company, a distributor of high quality exotic hardwood and a member of The Florian Group from Italy, is advocating the importance of certified wood at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', the Middle East's only wood-focused exhibition, which is currently on its third day, at the Dubai Airport Expo. In line with this, the company is showcasing 'FLO.TERMO', a one-of-a-kind outdoor flooring made out of European ash that are obtained from certified forests. In addition, the company is also highlighting solid timber from Africa, Europe, North and South America and Malaysia, as well as fixed width and length timber cut to door frame size in beech wood, white oak and white ash, within the event.
"We took part in the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' with aims to establish our company as a leading supplier of high quality timber products from across the globe, and with the number of inquiries we have received since the opening day, we are expecting new clients to make significant orders. We have also seen significant interest in certified wood among the regional and global buyers, and we are proud to be one of the companies to carry this type of products in the show," said Marius Van Der Berg, Sales Executive, Gulf Timber Company.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100415073525/Gulf%20Timber%20Company%20underlines%20importance%20of%20certified%20wood%20at%20%27Dubai%20WoodShow%202010%27/
15 April 2010
Company showcases new outdoor flooring made out of European ash from certified forests
Gulf Timber Company, a distributor of high quality exotic hardwood and a member of The Florian Group from Italy, is advocating the importance of certified wood at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', the Middle East's only wood-focused exhibition, which is currently on its third day, at the Dubai Airport Expo. In line with this, the company is showcasing 'FLO.TERMO', a one-of-a-kind outdoor flooring made out of European ash that are obtained from certified forests. In addition, the company is also highlighting solid timber from Africa, Europe, North and South America and Malaysia, as well as fixed width and length timber cut to door frame size in beech wood, white oak and white ash, within the event.
"We took part in the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' with aims to establish our company as a leading supplier of high quality timber products from across the globe, and with the number of inquiries we have received since the opening day, we are expecting new clients to make significant orders. We have also seen significant interest in certified wood among the regional and global buyers, and we are proud to be one of the companies to carry this type of products in the show," said Marius Van Der Berg, Sales Executive, Gulf Timber Company.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100415073525/Gulf%20Timber%20Company%20underlines%20importance%20of%20certified%20wood%20at%20%27Dubai%20WoodShow%202010%27/
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Iran to buy more Sri Lankan tea: government
COLOMBO, Apr 14, 2010 (AFP) - Iran plans nearly to double its purchase of Sri Lankan tea, the island's main export commodity, Sri Lanka's government said Wednesday, announcing a move that could boost tea prices.
Iran wants to buy 50 million kilos (110 million pounds) of tea this year, up from 28 million kilos in 2009, the government said in a statement.
Colombo said Tehran was ready to boost its purchases from Sri Lanka after the island became "politically stable" following the end of 37 years of fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels last year.
Sri Lanka earned an estimated 1.3 billion US dollars from exporting 289 million kilos of tea in 2009.
Iran accounted for nearly 10 percent of Sri Lanka's tea sales in 2009.
Sri Lanka's tea promotion board said they expected the Iranian move to further strengthen prices, which have risen by 29.47 percent in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year.
aj/pmc/bsk
© Copyright AFP 2010.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidANA20100414T123117ZNJL80/Iran%20to%20buy%20more%20Sri%20Lankan%20tea%3A%20government/
COLOMBO, Apr 14, 2010 (AFP) - Iran plans nearly to double its purchase of Sri Lankan tea, the island's main export commodity, Sri Lanka's government said Wednesday, announcing a move that could boost tea prices.
Iran wants to buy 50 million kilos (110 million pounds) of tea this year, up from 28 million kilos in 2009, the government said in a statement.
Colombo said Tehran was ready to boost its purchases from Sri Lanka after the island became "politically stable" following the end of 37 years of fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels last year.
Sri Lanka earned an estimated 1.3 billion US dollars from exporting 289 million kilos of tea in 2009.
Iran accounted for nearly 10 percent of Sri Lanka's tea sales in 2009.
Sri Lanka's tea promotion board said they expected the Iranian move to further strengthen prices, which have risen by 29.47 percent in the first three months of this year compared with the same period last year.
aj/pmc/bsk
© Copyright AFP 2010.
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidANA20100414T123117ZNJL80/Iran%20to%20buy%20more%20Sri%20Lankan%20tea%3A%20government/
Growth prospects of food sector bright: Al Rajhi study
14 April 2010
MANAMA: Overall outlook of the food sector remains promising with further growth expected in the Kingdom and the Gulf states as a whole, according to a report released on Tuesday by Al Rajhi Capital, the investment subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank.
Al Rajhi has issued a comprehensive report from the firm's research department on the Saudi Arabian Food Sector.
The research shows positive growth trends which are supported by favourable demographics including high growth rates and a young population, as well as strong levels of GDP and per capita income rates; imrovements in education, greater consciousness of the benefits of healthy foods such as fresh dairy products and new lifestyle choices are stimulating growth of the sector and the development of new areas including the lucrative health food segment and market conditions continue to favour the sectors dominant players such as Almarai and Savola, which have shown impressive growth and financial performance.
The 40-page report provides an in-depth look at the performance and projections for the sector and valuations for top industry players.
"Research is a critical part of the investment process and we're pleased to be able to provide investors with independent analysis and in-depth views into growing industry sectors such as this," said Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, head of Research at Al Rajhi Capital
"Our clients are increasingly looking for value and greater insight into the markets and we are confident that the calibre of research provided by Al Rajhi Capital can give our clients the information they need to more effectively evaluate their investment decisions and manage their portfolios," he added.
Al Rajhi Capital initiates coverage of two of Saudi Arabian market's leading food companies, Almarai, the top local and GCC-wide dairy producer, and Savola, a leading food producer, retailer and investor, with "overweight" ratings.
Together Almarai and Savola account for 79 percent of the aggregate market capitalisation of the food sector, which is currently approximately SR 51.1 billion as of the end of March 2010.
The key highlights of the report include the prospects for the sector, which includes 15-listed companies in total.
Smaller players, however, will remain under pressure as mergers and acquisition continues to be the chief mode of growth for top players in the sector, it said.
However, the report added, debt levels to fund acquisitions remain under control among acquisitive companies such as Almaraiand Savola, who have each executed a string of highly successful and profitable acquisitions in 2009 and prior years.
Talking about the key maket segments in terms of trends in key market segments, Al Rajhi Capital's report believes strong prospects for companies in the dairy market albeit with an increase in competition. To remain competitive, dairy producers must diversify as Almarai has done, greatly reducing dependence on dairy sales in favour of expansion in areas such as juice, bakery and cheese products, which are flourishing. Almarai, for example, in recent years has decreased its reliance on dairy from 100% to 60% of revenues.
"Stable commodity prices for foodstuffs is expected going forward and should result in revenue growth from products such as sugar, edible oils and others. Growing trend towards shopping in larger retail outlets is also expected to be positive for food sales and improvements are predicted for the retail segment in 2010, particularly for large players like Savola as they rationalise newly acquired store networks. Today only 30 to 35% of aggregate sales of food products come from large retail outlets thus leaving significant room for penetration," the report added.
The report also provides specific valuations of key company stocks including a full analysis of Almarai and Savola, which it believes still offer considerable value to investors," it added.
By MAHMOOD RAFIQUE
© Arab News 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100414031949/Growth%20prospects%20of%20food%20sector%20bright%3A%20Al%20Rajhi%20study%20/
14 April 2010
MANAMA: Overall outlook of the food sector remains promising with further growth expected in the Kingdom and the Gulf states as a whole, according to a report released on Tuesday by Al Rajhi Capital, the investment subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank.
Al Rajhi has issued a comprehensive report from the firm's research department on the Saudi Arabian Food Sector.
The research shows positive growth trends which are supported by favourable demographics including high growth rates and a young population, as well as strong levels of GDP and per capita income rates; imrovements in education, greater consciousness of the benefits of healthy foods such as fresh dairy products and new lifestyle choices are stimulating growth of the sector and the development of new areas including the lucrative health food segment and market conditions continue to favour the sectors dominant players such as Almarai and Savola, which have shown impressive growth and financial performance.
The 40-page report provides an in-depth look at the performance and projections for the sector and valuations for top industry players.
"Research is a critical part of the investment process and we're pleased to be able to provide investors with independent analysis and in-depth views into growing industry sectors such as this," said Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, head of Research at Al Rajhi Capital
"Our clients are increasingly looking for value and greater insight into the markets and we are confident that the calibre of research provided by Al Rajhi Capital can give our clients the information they need to more effectively evaluate their investment decisions and manage their portfolios," he added.
Al Rajhi Capital initiates coverage of two of Saudi Arabian market's leading food companies, Almarai, the top local and GCC-wide dairy producer, and Savola, a leading food producer, retailer and investor, with "overweight" ratings.
Together Almarai and Savola account for 79 percent of the aggregate market capitalisation of the food sector, which is currently approximately SR 51.1 billion as of the end of March 2010.
The key highlights of the report include the prospects for the sector, which includes 15-listed companies in total.
Smaller players, however, will remain under pressure as mergers and acquisition continues to be the chief mode of growth for top players in the sector, it said.
However, the report added, debt levels to fund acquisitions remain under control among acquisitive companies such as Almaraiand Savola, who have each executed a string of highly successful and profitable acquisitions in 2009 and prior years.
Talking about the key maket segments in terms of trends in key market segments, Al Rajhi Capital's report believes strong prospects for companies in the dairy market albeit with an increase in competition. To remain competitive, dairy producers must diversify as Almarai has done, greatly reducing dependence on dairy sales in favour of expansion in areas such as juice, bakery and cheese products, which are flourishing. Almarai, for example, in recent years has decreased its reliance on dairy from 100% to 60% of revenues.
"Stable commodity prices for foodstuffs is expected going forward and should result in revenue growth from products such as sugar, edible oils and others. Growing trend towards shopping in larger retail outlets is also expected to be positive for food sales and improvements are predicted for the retail segment in 2010, particularly for large players like Savola as they rationalise newly acquired store networks. Today only 30 to 35% of aggregate sales of food products come from large retail outlets thus leaving significant room for penetration," the report added.
The report also provides specific valuations of key company stocks including a full analysis of Almarai and Savola, which it believes still offer considerable value to investors," it added.
By MAHMOOD RAFIQUE
© Arab News 2010
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100414031949/Growth%20prospects%20of%20food%20sector%20bright%3A%20Al%20Rajhi%20study%20/
UAE farm breaks new ground in marketing fresh produce
The Naswa Organic Farm situated on the Hatta roads grow up to 65 types of vegetables
and herbs that are sold in it's shop of the same name in Umm Suqueim.
Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd (left) and Abdullah Bel Habb during the opening of the store.
Published: 00:00 April 14, 2010
Dubai: Organic fruit and vegetables cannot get fresher than this. Everyday new produce arrives to fill the shelves of a small family-run shop which has been cultivating organic fruits and vegetables for 10 years.
The Naswa Organic Farm situated on the Hatta road grows up to 65 types of vegetables and herbs that are then sold in its shop of the same name in Umm Suqueim. The concept of the shop is that nothing is stored and due to the relatively low quantities produced, it flies off the shelves.
Organic farming has been a growing trend in the UAE over the last few years, and this is the newest shop to open its doors. The only difference is the produce is all grown in the UAE and is sold straight from the farm to consumer.
Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, officially opened the shop last night. Organic farms in the UAE are certified by the ministry after inspections are carried out on the produce and the soil it is grown in. Around 10 farms are certified in the UAE.
"We've been certified organic since September and the concept is that we don't keep anything. We sell everything and the next morning we start all over again," said Elena Kinane, general manager of the shop and business partner of Abdullah Bel Habb, who started the farm a decade ago.
"If we were to stock supermarkets with the produce it would take three days to get to the shelves. That's too long and the vegetables would spoil. This way it's always fresh and we sell direct to the local community," said Kinane.
"We're 100 per cent chemical free and have better standards than European standards."
Naswa Organic Farm produce from organic seeds acquired from Germany and more organic fruits and vegetables are being added every month.
"We have strawberries now and soon we will have melons and herbs. We're looking at starting organic eggs," said Kinane. After the summer, selected customers will be offered to tour the farm.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/uae-farm-breaks-new-ground-in-marketing-fresh-produce-1.612011
The Naswa Organic Farm situated on the Hatta roads grow up to 65 types of vegetables
and herbs that are sold in it's shop of the same name in Umm Suqueim.
Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd (left) and Abdullah Bel Habb during the opening of the store.
Published: 00:00 April 14, 2010
Dubai: Organic fruit and vegetables cannot get fresher than this. Everyday new produce arrives to fill the shelves of a small family-run shop which has been cultivating organic fruits and vegetables for 10 years.
The Naswa Organic Farm situated on the Hatta road grows up to 65 types of vegetables and herbs that are then sold in its shop of the same name in Umm Suqueim. The concept of the shop is that nothing is stored and due to the relatively low quantities produced, it flies off the shelves.
Organic farming has been a growing trend in the UAE over the last few years, and this is the newest shop to open its doors. The only difference is the produce is all grown in the UAE and is sold straight from the farm to consumer.
Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, officially opened the shop last night. Organic farms in the UAE are certified by the ministry after inspections are carried out on the produce and the soil it is grown in. Around 10 farms are certified in the UAE.
"We've been certified organic since September and the concept is that we don't keep anything. We sell everything and the next morning we start all over again," said Elena Kinane, general manager of the shop and business partner of Abdullah Bel Habb, who started the farm a decade ago.
"If we were to stock supermarkets with the produce it would take three days to get to the shelves. That's too long and the vegetables would spoil. This way it's always fresh and we sell direct to the local community," said Kinane.
"We're 100 per cent chemical free and have better standards than European standards."
Naswa Organic Farm produce from organic seeds acquired from Germany and more organic fruits and vegetables are being added every month.
"We have strawberries now and soon we will have melons and herbs. We're looking at starting organic eggs," said Kinane. After the summer, selected customers will be offered to tour the farm.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/uae-farm-breaks-new-ground-in-marketing-fresh-produce-1.612011
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Malaysian Timber Council seeks to enhance trade between Malaysia and UAE
13 April 2010
Council promotes leading Malaysian timber wood manufacturers and traders at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010'
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the agency that promotes the development of the Malaysian timber industry with special focus on the marketing of locally-made timber products, is seeking to enhance the wood trade between Malaysia and the UAE, given the country's strong efforts to establish itself as the trade and service hub in West Asia. In line with this, the Council is currently promoting local companies and their Malaysian timber wood at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', the Middle East's wood-focused exhibition, which is currently running at the Dubai Airport Expo until April 15, 2010.
Malaysia produces a diverse range of products, from sawn timber to semi-finished items such as quality flooring, doors, decking, mouldings, staircases other joinery timber products and furniture. In 2009, despite the strong trading partnership between UAE and Malaysia, the economic downturn has taken a toll on the volume of Malaysian timber exported to the UAE. However, in 2009, total export of timber products from Malaysia to UAE stood at RM 598,644,103. With its participation at this year's 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', MTC is aiming to bolster the demand for Malaysian wood products in the UAE as well as across the GCC.
"MTC strives to raise the profile of the Malaysian timber industry globally by promoting Malaysia as a holistic and efficient one-stop sourcing centre," said Khairul Anwar, Director, Malaysian Timber Council. "As part of our efforts to further expand and diversify our international trade, our presence here at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' affords us an excellent opportunity to introduce Malaysian timber manufacturers to local and regional buyers and hopefully create a dynamic that will reinvigorate the trade between Malaysia and the UAE."
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100413105546/Malaysian%20Timber%20Council%20seeks%20to%20enhance%20trade%20between%20Malaysia%20and%20UAE/
13 April 2010
Council promotes leading Malaysian timber wood manufacturers and traders at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010'
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), the agency that promotes the development of the Malaysian timber industry with special focus on the marketing of locally-made timber products, is seeking to enhance the wood trade between Malaysia and the UAE, given the country's strong efforts to establish itself as the trade and service hub in West Asia. In line with this, the Council is currently promoting local companies and their Malaysian timber wood at the 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', the Middle East's wood-focused exhibition, which is currently running at the Dubai Airport Expo until April 15, 2010.
Malaysia produces a diverse range of products, from sawn timber to semi-finished items such as quality flooring, doors, decking, mouldings, staircases other joinery timber products and furniture. In 2009, despite the strong trading partnership between UAE and Malaysia, the economic downturn has taken a toll on the volume of Malaysian timber exported to the UAE. However, in 2009, total export of timber products from Malaysia to UAE stood at RM 598,644,103. With its participation at this year's 'Dubai WoodShow 2010', MTC is aiming to bolster the demand for Malaysian wood products in the UAE as well as across the GCC.
"MTC strives to raise the profile of the Malaysian timber industry globally by promoting Malaysia as a holistic and efficient one-stop sourcing centre," said Khairul Anwar, Director, Malaysian Timber Council. "As part of our efforts to further expand and diversify our international trade, our presence here at 'Dubai WoodShow 2010' affords us an excellent opportunity to introduce Malaysian timber manufacturers to local and regional buyers and hopefully create a dynamic that will reinvigorate the trade between Malaysia and the UAE."
http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100413105546/Malaysian%20Timber%20Council%20seeks%20to%20enhance%20trade%20between%20Malaysia%20and%20UAE/
High prices, low awareness stall organic farming plans
Abu Dhabi: The high price of organic agricultural produce is the initial challenge which the UAE faces in order to increase the share of organic farmlands — which constitute a mere 0.05 per cent of the total farmland — in the country, an official told Gulf News.
"The prices of organic produce in the UAE are three to four times more [than conventional produce] whereas in Europe the prices [of organic produce] are just double only," Gian L. Nicolay, deputy manager of a project set-up by Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to promote organic farming in the emirate, said.
According to Nicolay, an agronomist with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL a Swiss company), imported organic produce [due to low local production] is costly which leads to a low demand for them. This in turn discourages local farmers from switching to organic farming.
Increase production
The demand for organic produce is growing but the UAE has to increase production to support the trend, Nicolay said at the Liwa Agricultural Exhibition organised by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), recently.
ADFCA plans to increase the share of organic farming in the emirate.
It has set up the Organic Agriculture Centre (OAC) in cooperation with FiBL to promote organic farming in the emirate.
Abu Dhabi being the largest emirate, the initiative may see considerable increase in the country's meagre share of organic farm lands, according to the official.
The UAE has 331 hectares of organic farm land which is a mere 0.5 per cent of total farm lands, according to the 2009 edition of ‘The World of Organic Agriculture', published by FiBL and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
FiBL has a four year project with OAC which will give all sorts of assistance to the farmers, especially the best techniques of organic farming, Nicolay said.
Farmers' issue: lack of support
"I would have switched to organic farming long ago, if there had been sufficient demand for local produce in the local market," a prominent farmer in Liwa told Gulf News.
The demand is at an unsatisfactory level because potential customers, mainly the upper class in the country, lack awareness in this regard, Mohammad Saeed Al Hamili, 41, said. Al Hamili owns a large farm which produces 250 tonnes of vegetables per month.
"Only the rich can afford the higher prices at the moment — [which is] three times [the price of] conventional produce; but they too do not purchase organic produce", he added. He sells his produce to a prominent retail chain on a regular basis and does not intend to switch to organic farming until the market situation changes. Al Hamili said farmers needed more support from the government. "Many countries... have adopted measures to protect the local produce. We expect such measures in the UAE too." An ADFCA official said that the authorities wanted farmers to be independent and compete in the market without government's support.
"But we will extend all assistance... to improve the farming", Khalifa Al Ali, Deputy Chairman of Farmers Service Centre, an institution set up by ADFCA, said.
Is organic food gaining in popularity in the UAE? Has it made a difference to your health? Is the cost worth the benefit?
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/high-prices-low-awareness-stall-organic-farming-plans-1.611528
Abu Dhabi: The high price of organic agricultural produce is the initial challenge which the UAE faces in order to increase the share of organic farmlands — which constitute a mere 0.05 per cent of the total farmland — in the country, an official told Gulf News.
"The prices of organic produce in the UAE are three to four times more [than conventional produce] whereas in Europe the prices [of organic produce] are just double only," Gian L. Nicolay, deputy manager of a project set-up by Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to promote organic farming in the emirate, said.
According to Nicolay, an agronomist with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL a Swiss company), imported organic produce [due to low local production] is costly which leads to a low demand for them. This in turn discourages local farmers from switching to organic farming.
Increase production
The demand for organic produce is growing but the UAE has to increase production to support the trend, Nicolay said at the Liwa Agricultural Exhibition organised by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), recently.
ADFCA plans to increase the share of organic farming in the emirate.
It has set up the Organic Agriculture Centre (OAC) in cooperation with FiBL to promote organic farming in the emirate.
Abu Dhabi being the largest emirate, the initiative may see considerable increase in the country's meagre share of organic farm lands, according to the official.
The UAE has 331 hectares of organic farm land which is a mere 0.5 per cent of total farm lands, according to the 2009 edition of ‘The World of Organic Agriculture', published by FiBL and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
FiBL has a four year project with OAC which will give all sorts of assistance to the farmers, especially the best techniques of organic farming, Nicolay said.
Farmers' issue: lack of support
"I would have switched to organic farming long ago, if there had been sufficient demand for local produce in the local market," a prominent farmer in Liwa told Gulf News.
The demand is at an unsatisfactory level because potential customers, mainly the upper class in the country, lack awareness in this regard, Mohammad Saeed Al Hamili, 41, said. Al Hamili owns a large farm which produces 250 tonnes of vegetables per month.
"Only the rich can afford the higher prices at the moment — [which is] three times [the price of] conventional produce; but they too do not purchase organic produce", he added. He sells his produce to a prominent retail chain on a regular basis and does not intend to switch to organic farming until the market situation changes. Al Hamili said farmers needed more support from the government. "Many countries... have adopted measures to protect the local produce. We expect such measures in the UAE too." An ADFCA official said that the authorities wanted farmers to be independent and compete in the market without government's support.
"But we will extend all assistance... to improve the farming", Khalifa Al Ali, Deputy Chairman of Farmers Service Centre, an institution set up by ADFCA, said.
Is organic food gaining in popularity in the UAE? Has it made a difference to your health? Is the cost worth the benefit?
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/high-prices-low-awareness-stall-organic-farming-plans-1.611528
Small dairy farms face tough times, says official
RIYADH – Owing to cut-throat competition, the next five years will be crucial for the survival of small dairy companies in Saudi Arabia, according to a high-ranking official of a leading dairy company here.
Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sarhan, chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Safi-Danone Company Ltd., said that small dairy farms would not be able to stand up to the competitive business environment and as a result the country within the next five-year period would witness a number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As).
Al-Sarhan was speaking at a press conference in Riyadh, Saturday to mark the 30-year anniversary of Al-Safi’s establishment in Al-Kharj, some 70 km from Riyadh.
Ali O. Al-Rakban, Executive General Manager of Al-Safi-Danone, was also present.
Al-Sarhan said it was a memorable occasion for Al-Safi that has successfully completed 30 years of commercial production. The company had witnessed some difficult times in the very beginning of its establishment, he said. “We have also assessed and evaluated some of the failures that we faced in the beginning,” he said.
However, with the wise leadership and determination of Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal, head of the Board of Directors of Al-Faisaliah Group of which Al-Safi Danone is a subsidiary, the company successfully overcame its difficult times, Al-Sarhan said.
He said it would be very difficult for small and fragmented dairy companies to stand up to the cut-throat competition today. However, large dairy companies could survive and continue to meet the increasing demand for fresh milk, he said.
There has been an annual increase of five percent in the demand for fresh milk in Saudi Arabia, he added. “Today, we are meeting the local demand and in fact exporting some dairy products to neighboring Gulf countries,” he said.
There are around 18 to 20 dairy companies with some of them being very small and fragmented farms located across the Kingdom, he added.
With 250,000 tons of fresh milk produced per year, Al-Safi-Danone has 25 percent of the market share of the SR6 billion Saudi dairy market, he said.
Al-Safi was listed in the Guinness Book as the world’s largest integrated dairy farm. Al-Sarhan said that record still remains because no other dairy company in the world has so far claimed that position.
He said the Saudi dairy market represents about 14 percent of the country’s agriculture sector which contributes over one percent to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP growth.
Al-Rakban said Al-Safi started to import cows in 1979 and had 6,000 by 1982. However, later cows were bred at the farm and today there are 40,000, he said. “The last cow that Al-Safi imported was in the year 1982,” he added. – SG
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010041369234
RIYADH – Owing to cut-throat competition, the next five years will be crucial for the survival of small dairy companies in Saudi Arabia, according to a high-ranking official of a leading dairy company here.
Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sarhan, chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Safi-Danone Company Ltd., said that small dairy farms would not be able to stand up to the competitive business environment and as a result the country within the next five-year period would witness a number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As).
Al-Sarhan was speaking at a press conference in Riyadh, Saturday to mark the 30-year anniversary of Al-Safi’s establishment in Al-Kharj, some 70 km from Riyadh.
Ali O. Al-Rakban, Executive General Manager of Al-Safi-Danone, was also present.
Al-Sarhan said it was a memorable occasion for Al-Safi that has successfully completed 30 years of commercial production. The company had witnessed some difficult times in the very beginning of its establishment, he said. “We have also assessed and evaluated some of the failures that we faced in the beginning,” he said.
However, with the wise leadership and determination of Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal, head of the Board of Directors of Al-Faisaliah Group of which Al-Safi Danone is a subsidiary, the company successfully overcame its difficult times, Al-Sarhan said.
He said it would be very difficult for small and fragmented dairy companies to stand up to the cut-throat competition today. However, large dairy companies could survive and continue to meet the increasing demand for fresh milk, he said.
There has been an annual increase of five percent in the demand for fresh milk in Saudi Arabia, he added. “Today, we are meeting the local demand and in fact exporting some dairy products to neighboring Gulf countries,” he said.
There are around 18 to 20 dairy companies with some of them being very small and fragmented farms located across the Kingdom, he added.
With 250,000 tons of fresh milk produced per year, Al-Safi-Danone has 25 percent of the market share of the SR6 billion Saudi dairy market, he said.
Al-Safi was listed in the Guinness Book as the world’s largest integrated dairy farm. Al-Sarhan said that record still remains because no other dairy company in the world has so far claimed that position.
He said the Saudi dairy market represents about 14 percent of the country’s agriculture sector which contributes over one percent to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP growth.
Al-Rakban said Al-Safi started to import cows in 1979 and had 6,000 by 1982. However, later cows were bred at the farm and today there are 40,000, he said. “The last cow that Al-Safi imported was in the year 1982,” he added. – SG
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010041369234
Salt-loving plants are the way forward
Published: 00:00 April 13, 2010
Dubai: A number of farmlands have been abandoned after crops failed due to a lack of fresh water in the underlying aquifers, however, it has been discovered at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, that many plants thrive in saline environments.
Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, and Dr Ahmad Mohammad Ali, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday for the Ministry of Environment and Water to manage the centre.
In 2002, after years of minimal rain, which left catchment dams empty, farmers from Fujairah to Al Ain resorted to boring their own wells to tap into underground aquifers, and other ground-water deposits to meet their irrigation needs. Unfortunately this only boosted the salinity levels of underground water and depleted limited water resources.
Landscaping
Today, research at ICBA has found that grasses such as Paspalum — that thrive on saline water — can be used for golf courses and in landscaping projects, cutting irrigation cost by half. Other salt-loving grasses such as Sporobolus virginicus and Distichlis spicata have been proved to be excellent animal feed.
Under the MOU the centre will retain its international status and will continue to work to improve agricultural productivity, especially in plants tolerant to salinity, helping to develop sustainable farming opportunities in countries that suffer from water scarcity. Supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the centre will receive an annual budget of $5 million (Dh18.3 million) and an additional $2 million from the Islamic Development Bank for the next five years.
ICBA was established as a centre of excellence for agricultural research and the development of soil, salt water and brackish water to help meet the challenges of water and food security.
The centre has already started applying its second strategy, which focuses mainly on developing efficient water use to increase crop production.
Training programmes will continue to be organised to educated farmers and researchers on modern farming techniques and not wasting water during cultivation.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/salt-loving-plants-are-the-way-forward-1.611590
Published: 00:00 April 13, 2010
Dubai: A number of farmlands have been abandoned after crops failed due to a lack of fresh water in the underlying aquifers, however, it has been discovered at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, that many plants thrive in saline environments.
Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, and Dr Ahmad Mohammad Ali, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday for the Ministry of Environment and Water to manage the centre.
In 2002, after years of minimal rain, which left catchment dams empty, farmers from Fujairah to Al Ain resorted to boring their own wells to tap into underground aquifers, and other ground-water deposits to meet their irrigation needs. Unfortunately this only boosted the salinity levels of underground water and depleted limited water resources.
Landscaping
Today, research at ICBA has found that grasses such as Paspalum — that thrive on saline water — can be used for golf courses and in landscaping projects, cutting irrigation cost by half. Other salt-loving grasses such as Sporobolus virginicus and Distichlis spicata have been proved to be excellent animal feed.
Under the MOU the centre will retain its international status and will continue to work to improve agricultural productivity, especially in plants tolerant to salinity, helping to develop sustainable farming opportunities in countries that suffer from water scarcity. Supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the centre will receive an annual budget of $5 million (Dh18.3 million) and an additional $2 million from the Islamic Development Bank for the next five years.
ICBA was established as a centre of excellence for agricultural research and the development of soil, salt water and brackish water to help meet the challenges of water and food security.
The centre has already started applying its second strategy, which focuses mainly on developing efficient water use to increase crop production.
Training programmes will continue to be organised to educated farmers and researchers on modern farming techniques and not wasting water during cultivation.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/salt-loving-plants-are-the-way-forward-1.611590
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