The International Fisheries Exhibition kicks off in Riyadh with the participation of 30 countries
Under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mashiti, the fifth International Fisheries Exhibition (SIMEC) will commence tomorrow, Monday, January 26, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. This prominent event will run for three days until Wednesday, January 28, and will feature a wide international and local presence, reflecting the Kingdom's growing importance in the food and fisheries industries.
A global platform to promote the blue economy
The organization of this exhibition comes at a time when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing major economic transformations within the framework of Vision 2030, where the fisheries sector represents one of the fundamental pillars for achieving food security and diversifying income sources. Through the National Fisheries Development Program, the Kingdom is working to leverage its extensive coastlines on the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf to increase aquaculture production capacity, making the SIMEC exhibition a strategic platform for attracting foreign investment and localizing modern technologies in this vital sector.
The exhibition primarily aims to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in aquaculture, fisheries, animal feed, algae, seafood processing, shipbuilding, and port services. It also highlights promising investment opportunities and fosters collaboration between local and international investors, supporting the concept of a sustainable "blue economy.".
Broad international participation and strategic agreements
SIMEC is a leading international platform that brings together experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The exhibition features participation from over 30 countries and more than 120 local and international companies and organizations. It is expected to attract approximately 3,500 local businesspeople, 450 international businesspeople, and over 15,000 visitors, in addition to 15 government entities and 5 international pavilions. The event will witness the signing of 15 cooperation agreements, reflecting the exhibition's growing regional and global prominence and its role in supporting Saudi exports.
The list of participating countries includes: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Russia, Egypt, Norway, Somalia, Mauritania, and the Maldives, along with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which confirms the international weight of the event.
Innovations and solutions for the future of aquaculture
The exhibition embodies the Kingdom's leading role in hosting specialized international events, providing a fertile environment for meeting with international partners and showcasing modern solutions in the fish products industry. The accompanying program includes a number of specialized workshops addressing key issues, most notably:
- Foundational studies to support aquaculture projects in inland waters.
- A modern seafood auction hall system.
- Technical follow-up of aquaculture projects as a cornerstone for the sustainability of the industry.
- Smart planning for sustainable aquaculture and the use of enclosed floating ponds.
- Modern technologies in closed systems and breeding in semi-closed environments.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, sessions will be held addressing national quality marks, the aquaculture development program from scientific research to commercial innovation, fish farming systems between theory and practice, as well as algae biotechnology, smart seafood manufacturing, and organic waste management technologies to enhance agricultural production, which contributes to raising production efficiency and environmental and economic sustainability.
