During his meeting with representatives of the private agricultural sector of Asharqia Chamber.
The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Water confirms the principle of partnership with the private sector to achieve sustainable development.
Al-Khalidi: We live in an extended period of maturity in which the concepts of diversification, local content and optimal utilization of available resources have been established.
On Wednesday 26 December 2018, Asharqia Chamber organized a meeting with HE Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, at the Chamber's headquarter.
The minister met with a large number of investors in the agricultural sector.
The meeting was moderated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asharqia Chamber, Abdul Hakim bin Hamad Al-Ammar Al-Khalidi.
It was attended by board members Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Badr Al-Abdulkarim, Saadoun Al-Khalidi, Salah Al-Qahtani and Dhari Al-Otishan, and the Secretary General of the Chamber Abdulrahman Al-Wabel, as well as a large number of specialists and interested indiviulas in this matter.
HE Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, stressed that the Ministry is currently adopting a strategy that supports the private sector and partnership with it in order to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom in general that is embodied in Vision 2030, which is the creation of sustainable economic development through provides new employment opportunities for young men and women in the Kingdom.
His Excellency said the ministry has a plan of action, which has started implementing it, including the implementation of 18 water projects at a cost of 12 billion riyals over the next ten years including all cities of the Kingdom, including the cities of the Eastern Region within the project to improve the quality of drinking water.
During the meeting, His Excellency stressed that the Ministry has strategic objectives, which it has always been reminded of, and which is present at all times, to achieve food, water and environmental security.
He added, "There is nothing at the expense of something, we want agricultural development that does not affect the status of water wealth, and we want to develop water to serve the public life in the Kingdom, including agriculture."
He noted that all these objectives and these projects are carried out in partnership with the private sector, as the Ministry has completed the form of a platform supporting the work of the private sector. "Everything is clear at the moment," he said.
His Excellency stressed that the subject of the environment is of great interest to the Ministry, and more than ever before.
He pointed out that the cost of environmental impact cost the Kingdom about 90 billion a year within the current ten years; "Therefore, we have a responsibility to preserve the environment and we need to conserve and develop resources for sustainability."
He pointed out that the agricultural sector in various fields is an attractive sector for investment, and perhaps the advantage that it is a continuous sector and resist any changes taking place here and there, as the demand for water and food don't stop.
Therefore, the private sector has a fertile field for investment, and the Ministry supports it with all that it has.
His Excellency said that the Ministry is working with well-known international companies in the field of desalination, as local content in modern projects will reach a minimum of 40% and we seek to increase it in the coming years, but in the field of operation and maintenance, we hope to reach 70% in the coming period.
This depends on our efforts and the efforts of our private sector, especially as there is an urgent and ongoing need for desalination and its outputs.
He said, "We have a permanent client in this field, as the water company's name will be changed to the water projects company."
On the issue of Saudization in the field of fishing and the requirement of the presence of the Saudi fisherman with each fishing boat entering the sea and after intervention by a number of workers in this field, His Excellency said that our Saudi society, like any other society, is no different from those societies in terms of the ability of their children to work in fishing.
He stated, "We reject the argument that the Saudi does not accept the profession of hunting or fishing. If he does not accept it today, he will accept it tomorrow, and this is related to many issues, and we have in this aspect programs for motivation, training and encouragement. This subject is great, but very large."
His Excellency welcomed the comments and suggestions of the fishing sector workers in this regard and expressed his readiness to study any proposal to address any problems in this regard.
He pointed out that the doors of the Ministry and its agents are open to workers in the agricultural sector and environmental water.
On the issue of pesticides, His Excellency revealed that next year will be the implementation of a rigorous program in this area through which the registration of all workers in this profession, especially after the Saudi products in the pesticides are within the internationally accepted limits, and the Ministry will solve all obstacles in the import and export of pesticides.
He stressed the Ministry's interest in organic agriculture and there is an association for this type of agriculture such as the Poultry Association, the agricultural associations, the fishermen's associations, and all that we hope that these associations are more in contact with the Ministry for development and improvement.
He added that the Ministry supports and encourages private laboratories, which await a great future in this aspect, which is the field of organic agriculture.
His Excellency said that the Ministry has a vital and significant program for rural development, where it will invest more than 10 billion riyals during the next ten years, as any idea that supports this trend will be sponsored by the Ministry.
The Chairman of Asharqia Chamber, Abdul Hakim bin Hamad al-Ammar al-Khalidi, said in a speech during the meeting that the Vision of the Kingdom of 2030 emanated from the belief of the development of all economic sectors and the optimal exploitation of the natural resources that the country has in order to reach a sustainable development economy.
One of the important axes that the Vision paid great attention is those related to the achievement of water and food security in line with the Kingdom's natural resources because we are in an extended maturity period, where the concepts of diversification, local content and optimal utilization of available resources have been established.
He pointed out that Asharqia Chamber of Commerce met today with HE Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture in an open dialogue between His Excellency and the business sector in the Eastern Region on various topics related to environmental sustainability that to encourage the local component in the Ministry's capital and operational projects and find the best means to establish a successful strategic partnership with the private sector in the areas of water, environment and agriculture in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable water and environmental security.
Al-Khalidi concluded by appreciating the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for its great efforts and ambitious initiatives to achieve water and food security within the Vision of the Kingdom of 2030.
The most recent initiative was (Saudi Gap), which will provide a local network linking all parties starting from farmers and trademark owners to each other, which undoubtedly brings about food safety and traceability.
In conclusion, Al-Khalidi honored His Excellency the Minister Al-Fadhli with a commemorative shield.
