Saudi arabia: Saudi Arabia's date and palm sector continues to make significant strides in expanding exports of dates and processed date products, achieving a growing presence in major global retail markets.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the sector's success has contributed to increasing the agricultural sector's share of the Kingdom's GDP, improving production efficiency, and enhancing the competitiveness of national products, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Under the patronage of Governor of Al-Ahsa Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Al-Ahsa Agricultural Development Association signed an agricultural cooperation memorandum with Korea's LOTTE International, supported by the National Center for Palms and Dates.

The association was represented by its Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Mousa, while the Korean company was represented by CEO Jeong Gi-ho. The memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector, develop processed date products, promote innovation in value-added production, facilitate knowledge transfer, and support strategic investment partnerships.

LOTTE is one of the world's leading companies. It ranks among the top five global conglomerates and operates a wide distribution network comprising over 13,000 major and small retail stores across Korea and internationally.

The signing forms part of a national initiative led by the National Center for Palms and Dates to boost Saudi date exports and global market access. The initiative expands export scope, enhancing Saudi dates' presence on international retail platforms.