Business & Money | Saturday 9 May, 2015 3:42 am |

Fifty-two date factories in Al-Ahsa need Saudi workers to maintain their production lines, a leading businessman said here recently.
The requirement is for technically proficient workers, said Abdul Hamid Al-Halibi, manager of the Al-Ahsa date market.

He called for the industry to set up specialized professional institutes to provide training on cultivation of palm groves and manufacturing. The government should also introduce lessons on dates in the school curriculum, he said.

Al-Halibi said Al-Ahsa factories currently produce a variety of products from dates, which has increased demand and contributed to the country’s food security.
There have also been several specialized stores set up to sell these products, which have competed well with imported products. The recent date festival in Al-Ahsa has showcased the region’s quality produce, he said.

Al-Halibi said the Kingdom’s Agricultural Development Fund provides significant assistance to small and medium enterprises, in particular new products. “Manufacturers should keep themselves updated on the latest information in the industry, especially as demand increases for these new products,” he said.
Baqer Al-Habdan, who is interested in investing in the industry, said there are now opportunities for dates to be included in the manufacture of soft drinks, baby food and other food.
He appealed to the authorities to organize exhibitions abroad for Al-Ahsa dates, particularly in other Arab countries, and to provide incentives for international companies to sign deals with local producers.