RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has initiated a drive to encourage business to invest in farming operations abroad, which could see the Kingdom improve its food security as well as increase investment opportunities. In order to reduce water consumption while protecting local consumers against global food price volatility, the Saudi government is incentivizing the private sector to invest in farmlands abroad, with the aim of importing products back into the country. The government is acting as a facilitator for the Saudi private sector, seeking land and agricultural investments, and providing funds, credit and logistics. Following this shift, Saudi Arabia is seeking to invest in 35 countries across the world, planting the seeds for fruitful partnerships and joint ventures with international agricultural companies. Against this backdrop, Saudi Agriculture 2014, the 33rd International Agriculture, Water & Agro-Industry Trade Show, is set to gather international and local companies to facilitate business partnership deals under one platform covering major industry fields. To be held on Sept. 7-10, 2014 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), the event has successfully generated notable international interest in its features and benefits. Accredited by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Saudi Agriculture 2014 has confirmed participation from 40 countries, including Morocco, Netherlands, Turkey, UAE, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the US. Being the largest marketplace for agricultural products, solutions and services in the Middle East, Saudi Agriculture 2014 showcases a variety of top industry solutions and products in several fields, including agricultural building construction, animal health and production, finance and banking, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, fisheries and fish farming, greenhouses, irrigation and landscaping equipment, and organic farming. To be held concurrently with Saudi Agriculture 2014 are Saudi Agro-Food 2014 – the 21st international trade show for food products, ingredients and technologies, and Saudi Food Pack 2014 – the 4th international trade exhibition for food processing and packaging technologies. Saudi Agro-Food 2014 is dedicated to the food processing and packaging industry and features state-of-the-art products, technologies and services, including frozen and chilled foods, confectionery, chocolates, healthy and natural foods, presentation, processing and packaging equipment. Saudi Food Pack 2014 will showcase a vast array of equipment and solutions for manufacturers and distributors of tools, machinery and services that are essential for food production and packaging as well as their display in stores and outlets. — SG
