Saudi chocolate imports hit 123m kg in 2024

RIYADH: Khaled Al-Abdulkader, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, met Moon Young-hak, chairman of the Saudi-Korean Society for Economic and Trade Promotion, in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on discussing potential partnerships with Korean companies and reviewing advanced greywater treatment and separation technologies for national parks, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The meeting, attended by senior center officials, focused on leveraging Korean expertise in developing small-scale and mobile wastewater treatment systems.

With more than 400 national parks across Saudi Arabia, the center has outlined strategic plans to optimize water use, especially as visitor numbers are expected to rise in coming years.

Implementing greywater separation and treatment technologies will enable water reuse for afforestation projects and the creation of artificial lakes, the SPA reported.

The Korean model uses advanced information technology-based control systems to significantly improve the quality and efficiency of treated water production.

The approach allows for doubling treatment capacity using existing infrastructure at just 30 percent of the cost of building new facilities within a swift eight-month timeline, according to the SPA.

It also extends the operational lifespan of these plants by 30 years, ensuring a cleaner environment and better public health standards.

The Saudi center remains dedicated to sustainable environmental initiatives, including land restoration, biodiversity enhancement, rangeland management and resource preservation.

Through these efforts, the center plays a key role in Saudi Arabia’s environmental sustainability and quality of life improvements.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief, in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, launched a project distributing Eid Al-Fitr clothing to 1,000 orphaned children from underprivileged Jordanian and Syrian refugee families in Jordan.

The project aims to improve living standards by providing monthly financial support for essential needs and educational sponsorship, including school supplies, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

It also organizes recreational activities during festive seasons to help integrate the children into local communities and boost their psychological well-being.

This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian commitment through KSrelief to support orphans and vulnerable groups worldwide.

Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed 3,398 food baskets and hygiene kits, benefiting 10,194 people in Tell Abyad, Raqqa governorate, Syria.

KSrelief also sent a new shipment of medical supplies to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support hospitals and health care centers in Gaza, which are facing critical shortages.

The aid agency distributed 850 food baskets in Hayya village, Red Sea State, Sudan, benefiting 5,688 people.

In Lebanon, more than 800 food baskets were distributed in Sidon and Arsal, benefiting more than 4,000 people.