Al-Ahsa, 15 Rajab 1447 AH (4 January 2026)

Under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, and in the presence of Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa, and Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, the Al-Ahsa Processed Dates Festival opened today at the Al-Ahsa Municipality Castle, an event that reflects Al-Ahsa's leading position in the palm and dates sector.

Prince Saud bin Nayef said the festival embodies an active national drive to maximise the added value of Saudi dates and transform them from a traditional agricultural product into a competitive processing industry capable of boosting national exports and supporting Vision 2030's goals of diversifying income and empowering promising sectors.

Al-Ahsa, with its long agricultural heritage and global standing in date production, represents an advanced model of turning comparative advantages into sustainable economic and development opportunities, he said, commending the joint efforts of the festival's organisers and supporters.

Prince Saud bin Talal said the festival is a strategic milestone in turning dates into an economic and investment product that carries the name of Al-Ahsa to regional and international markets, and underlined its role in developing processing industries, stimulating investment, empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening the value chains linked to palms and dates.

The festival, he added, is not limited to economics but forms an integrated social and development movement that broadens the participation of entrepreneurs and cements Al-Ahsa's marketing identity as a tourism and cultural destination tied to the palm and a magnet for investment in food and processing industries.

Minister Al-Hogail said the festival is a successful model of integrating urban development with the food economy and reflects cities' ability to turn their comparative advantages into sustainable economic opportunities that enhance their competitiveness.

The festival aims to provide specialised marketing services to support date traders and build an integrated system that delivers efficiency and productivity according to the standard specifications and marketing requirements for Al-Ahsa date varieties, in line with global market demands. Al-Ahsa Municipality, he noted, is working with relevant bodies to develop the dates marketing pathway from one edition to the next.

Organised by Al-Ahsa Municipality and the Al-Ahsa Development Authority in strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco, the festival features an integrated platform for selling processed dates alongside a package of cultural, entertainment and interactive events for the whole family, in an experience that brings together economics, culture and heritage.