Saudi chocolate imports hit 123m kg in 2024/node/2595271/saudi-arabia
Saudi chocolate imports hit 123m kg in 2024
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The sweets and chocolate market is growing, driven by rising consumer demand for diverse options, high chocolate demand and special Eid Al-Fitr promotions that boost sales. (SPA)
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The sweets and chocolate market is growing, driven by rising consumer demand for diverse options, high chocolate demand and special Eid Al-Fitr promotions that boost sales. (SPA)
Consumers buy in large quantities, as chocolates are a key part of Eid celebrations
Prices vary based on the type, origin, packaging and serving plates
Updated 29 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The sweets and chocolate market is growing, driven by rising consumer demand for diverse options, high chocolate demand and special Eid Al-Fitr promotions that boost sales.
According to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Kingdom’s chocolate imports exceeded 123 million kg in 2024, reflecting increased demand, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The UAE, the UK, Jordan, Egypt and Turkiye are among the main countries from which the Kingdom imports chocolate, offering a variety of products to meet consumer expectations.
Shops are eager to offer a wide range of locally manufactured and imported sweets and chocolates. Consumers buy in large quantities, as chocolates are a key part of Eid celebrations.
Prices vary based on the type, origin, packaging and serving plates. Local sweets range from SR30 ($8) to SR150 per kg, including candies, toffee, biscuits and chocolates.
The authority attributed price stability to abundant production and low manufacturing costs, though imported sweets, especially from Europe and the East, are pricier. Pure or dark chocolate with special fillings can cost up to SR300 per kg.
Saudi AI researcher designs system to help people understand sign language
‘Using my background in computer engineering and the power of AI, I realized we could create a smart system that recognizes sign language in real time and translates it,’ says Bader Alsharif
Though his initial version translates signs into English, he says it can be adapted to all languages and his next goal is to create a version for Saudi Sign Language
Updated 18 April 2025
RAY HANANIA
CHICAGO: Working as a teacher with members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community helped a Saudi artificial intelligence scholar realize that technology held the potential to help improve the way they communicate with the world.
After working with people with hearing impairments for more than a decade-and-a-half, Bader Alsharif said he has come to understand that one of the greatest challenges they face is the public’s lack of understanding of sign language. He realized that if this barrier could be overcome, it would not only improve this community’s ability to communicate but also help the wider public better understand the lives of those who rely on signing.
“I decided to focus on sign language and AI because of my close work with students over the past 16 years,” the 39-year-old told Arab News. “I saw the challenges they face when it comes to communication, especially in situations where people around them don’t understand sign language.
“That really touched me and made me want to help. So, using my background in computer engineering and the power of artificial intelligence, I realized we could create a smart system that recognizes sign language in real time and translates it into words.
“This can help bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing community. In simple terms, a camera captures the person making a hand gesture and then AI models analyze those gestures using deep learning and hand tracking. Then the system matches the gesture to letters and words, and displays the meaning of the particular words.”
As Alsharif became more immersed in his academic research, he quickly identified the potential for AI to be a transformative tool in support of deaf students. He personally understands about 30 percent of sign language gestures but the AI-powered program he is developing is designed to interpret the full range of signs, which would help to bridge the communication gap.
The computer engineering scholar has spent several months working with a team to build a dataset that includes every aspect of each sign language gesture and its English translation. The dataset contains nearly 130,000 images of hand gestures, each of which is assigned 21 data points to help the system correctly identify and translate the sign.
Though the initial version is for English translation, Alsharif said datasets can be created for all languages, and his next goal is to create a version that interprets Saudi Sign Language.
“As soon as we have a good dataset, we can implement any sign language translation system into any language,” he added.
Right now, the system is one-way, translating sign language into English, with some limitations. The next challenge, he said, is to reverse the process and expand the system to translate speech, in any language, into sign language.
Originally from Makkah, Alsharif graduated with bachelor’s degree from the College of Technology in Riyadh in 2008 and began working for the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation in Riyadh. In 2017 he received a master’s degree in computer engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology.
His work aims to combine technological innovation with social impact, a goal that positions him as a forward-thinking leader in the use of computer engineering in healthcare.
Alsharif has been studying for a doctorate since 2021 at Florida Atlantic University, where his research focuses on various aspects of sign language-recognition systems, and the use of AI and the internet in the provision of medical services.
He also works as a teaching assistant, guiding and evaluating more than 30 students who are carrying out engineering-design projects. He also assists more than 200 students with advice about technical questions, design principles and project development.
“All these studies use artificial intelligence to help solve real-world problems and support people who have special needs,” Alsharif said.
Alsharif, who lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife and four children, said he is grateful to the government of Saudi Arabia, which made all of his achievements possible. Other innovative projects he has led or been involved with include the opening of digital communications technology company CISCO’s first office in Saudi Arabia, and he has has managed the optimization of performance and security for more than 300 devices.
He has also published more than 10 peer-reviewed papers, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things, particularly as they relate to healthcare. He says he has a particular commitment to advancing technology and fostering inclusivity, particularly through his work with individuals with special needs.
How AI is decoding multi-omics data to boost health and longevity in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom is investing heavily in AI, genomics, and biotech to build a future where healthcare is predictive — not just reactive
Saudi firm Rewind is leading the country’s shift to AI-powered omics diagnostics, transforming how diseases are prevented
Updated 18 April 2025
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing the future of healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence and omics-based diagnostics to deliver personalized, preventive care. This is part of a broader transformation that frames longevity not just as an individual aspiration but a national priority.
Central to this transformation is the integration of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics disciplines into clinical practice — powered by AI. Leading the charge is Rewind, a Saudi Arabia-based company using the technology to pioneer proactive, individualized care.
“At Rewind, we harness the power of AI and omics technologies to shift healthcare from a generalized, reactive model to one that is deeply personalized and proactive,” Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind, told Arab News.
“AI is the engine that makes this vast data actionable. It identifies patterns, predicts health risks, and recommends the most effective interventions for each individual.”
He said that “such a dynamic, data-driven approach” enables healthcare to be “as unique as the patient it serves.”
DID YOU KNOW?
• Integrating AI with omics-based diagnostics supports early disease detection and predicts health risks.
• In cancer care, AI and genomics are used together to match patients with the most effective targeted therapies.
• Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK are making major investments in the integration of AI and omics.
Omics refers to a group of biological fields ending with the suffix “-omics,” each examining a different layer of biological data on a system-wide scale. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of how the body functions.
Transitioning from this broad understanding to actionable insights requires AI’s ability to analyze trillions of variables across DNA, protein expression, metabolic changes, and epigenetic shifts. This capability allows practitioners to intervene earlier and more accurately than ever.
Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind. (Supplied)
“Omics-based diagnostics have already begun to make a profound impact on patient outcomes,” said Zaher.
“The precision enabled by genomics and multi-omics technologies allows us to detect diseases at their earliest molecular stages — often well before any clinical symptoms appear.
“Beyond disease detection, multi-omics approaches help in monitoring disease progression and response to treatments. The result has been an increase in patient satisfaction, as they experience better health outcomes and more personalized care.”
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to health innovation is evident in both its infrastructure and ambition. National initiatives like the Saudi Genome Program and investments through the Hevolution Foundation are driving the development of a knowledge-based healthcare system aligned with Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has made healthcare innovation a strategic priority,” said Zaher. “The government has invested heavily in infrastructure that supports cutting-edge research, particularly in AI, genomics, and biotechnology.”
This focus is positioning Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global longevity economy, according to Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group.
Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group, speaking about longevity in Spain in June 2022. (Supplied)
“Saudi Arabia and its GCC counterparts are strategically positioned to be not just participants but global pioneers in the longevity economy,” Kaminskiy told Arab News.
“With Vision 2030, the Kingdom has set the foundation for integrating economic diversification, healthcare innovation, and AI governance — all key components of a national longevity strategy.”
Kaminskiy, who has authored multiple books on AI and healthspan, believes that AI has shifted from a supporting role to something far more central to the field.
“We are now witnessing a paradigm shift where AI is not just an assistant but the architect of next-generation healthcare platforms,” he said. “Just as fintech redefined personal finance, AI will redefine personal health.”
Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in mainstreaming AI and omics-based care into national systems. Zaher of Rewind noted that overcoming these hurdles will require both technological and cultural shifts.
“Integrating AI and precision medicine into a national healthcare system comes with several challenges, the most pressing of which is the need for a robust data infrastructure,” he said.
“Healthcare data is often fragmented or siloed, making it difficult to create a cohesive system that AI can utilize effectively.”
Another critical challenge is training healthcare providers to engage with this new era of medicine.
Zaher said the integration of AI and precision medicine into clinical practice demands “a level of technological literacy that has yet to become widespread across the healthcare workforce.
“We need targeted training programs that equip providers with the skills to interpret AI-generated insights and translate them into actionable, patient-centered care,” he added.
Looking ahead, Kaminskiy said establishing ethical data governance will be vital to ensuring progress.
“Data is the lifeblood of AI-powered longevity,” he said. “But it is not just the amount of data that matters — it is the ownership, security, and ethical governance of that data that will define the winners in this domain.”
The Hevolution Foundation is playing a key role in funding and shaping the longevity research agenda in the region.
According to Zaher, it is “poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating global healthspan science by providing the funding and resources necessary to drive innovation in aging research.
“Through supporting projects that focus on extending healthspan and preventing age-related diseases, Hevolution is helping to set a global standard for longevity science,” he added.
As Saudi Arabia expands its investment in AI-driven healthcare and global collaborations deepen, the boundaries between technology, biology, and medicine are blurring — bringing the goal of healthy aging closer to reality.
Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah, inaugurated on Wednesday the 45th AlBaraka Islamic Economics Symposium, themed “Islamic Banking in 50 Years: Past Achievements and Future Aspirations,” at Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz University in Madinah.
The two-day symposium convened leading experts in economics, finance, and investment.
During his address at the event, Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri, Royal Court adviser and Council of Senior Scholars member, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Islamic banking, noting that over 85 percent of the Kingdom’s banking operations adhere to Islamic principles, a globally unmatched percentage.
The complex is the world’s largest printing press dedicated to the Qur’an
Updated 17 April 2025
SPA
The president and members of the Islamic Future Center in Belgium visited the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an to learn about the Kingdom’s efforts in printing copies of the Qur’an, SPA reported on Thursday.
The complex is the world’s largest printing press dedicated to the Qur’an.
The delegation began its visit by watching a documentary film showcasing the complex’s history since its establishment, its development stages in recent years, its significant contributions to serving the Qur’an, its global achievements, and its efforts to translate the meanings of the Qur’an into more than 76 world languages, which have been distributed worldwide.
Afterward, the delegation was guided to the balcony overlooking the production area, where they learned about the stages of printing the Qur’an — from the meticulous review of texts and the use of the latest printing technologies to the final packaging and distribution, all part of a professional system integrating precision and mastery.
The delegation described the complex as embodying the Kingdom’s contribution to serving Islam and Muslims worldwide, SPA reported.
Enabling delegations to visit the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an is part of efforts to showcase its global mission of printing the Qur’an and translating its meanings into various languages for distribution as gifts to Muslims worldwide.
This aligns with the Kingdom’s vision of supporting initiatives that serve Islam and strengthen bonds of Islamic brotherhood among peoples, SPA reported.
This groundbreaking summit is the first of its kind in the region and will bring together leading content creators from around the world
Updated 17 April 2025
Arab News
ALULA: AlUla is poised to host the first Instagram Creators Summit in the Middle East and North Africa. The event will take place from April 20 to 22, organized by Meta, the technology company, in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, and in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Riyadh Air.
This groundbreaking summit is the first of its kind in the region and will bring together leading content creators from around the world. The agenda includes interactive panel discussions, keynote speeches, and conversations about the future of content creation, covering topics such as social media, artificial intelligence, and the evolving digital landscape.
These creators collectively reach more than 231 million followers worldwide, highlighting the growing importance of influencer marketing in today’s travel destinations.
The summit will also feature sessions on how to best utilize platform tools, explore the latest technical updates, and identify new opportunities in the creator economy.
Interactive dialogues will allow participants to engage directly with Meta’s product managers, while open forums will encourage the sharing of expertise and the building of strong collaborations among creators.
This summit presents an opportunity to gain insights, connect with industry leaders and stay at the forefront of the ever-changing digital scene.
