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Canada is Saudi Arabia's largest wheat source

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, which ranks as the largest importer of Canadian wheat in the Middle East and North Africa region, will receive fresh Canadian wheat consignments over the next seven months in a staggered schedule.

The wheat exports from Canada comes after the state-owned Grain Silos and Four Mills Organization (GSFMO) purchased 990,000 tons of wheat from Canada and Germany following a tender announced last year.

"Canada, a large producer of food, also supplied 1.5 million tons of wheat to the Kingdom last year," said Canadian Ambassador David Chatterson on Monday night.

"This was one of the biggest Canadian sales ever, almost half of the Kingdom's total annual consumption," said Chatterson, adding that Ottawa can be a potential partner of Riyadh in many fields, especially in terms of joining hands together in ensuring food security locally, regionally and globally.

The envoy was speaking during a reception hosted at his residence to honor the sponsors of the Terry Fox Run, in which about 500 volunteers participated to raise money for cancer patients.

Top executives and representatives of the companies that sponsored the event including Al-Faisaliah Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel, Nas Air, Centerpoint, Coca-Cola Bottling Plant of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Telecom, and Arinc Saudi Arabia Ltd., all attended.

Referring to the Canadian exports of foodstuffs to the Kingdom, Chatterson said that Canada sold more wheat to Saudi Arabia last year than any other country, a tantalizing trade relationship that has piqued Ottawa's interest.

On the delivery of the new wheat consignments, a GSFMO report said that all wheat consignments would be delivered between Oct 2010 and April 2011. Ten shipments would be sent to Jeddah, while eight shipments will go to the eastern port of Dammam, added the report.

"Saudi Arabia's move to import more wheat has opened a new market for Canadian producers," said the report, while referring to the progressively growing relations between the two countries.

Chatterson also pointed out that an agriculture delegation would visit the Kingdom this month. He described growing relations as "a sort of rediscovery" that had been neglected during the last few years. He also revealed forthcoming programs, including a visit by a Shoura delegation to Canada next month.

He said that a large Canadian health delegation would also visit the Kingdom in January. This is in addition to a major Canadian power and water delegation organized by Export Development Canada (EDC) to visit Riyadh early next year, Chatterson added.

Canadian companies will better understand how to tap into opportunities in the Kingdom's power and water sectors.

EDC reports that power and water projects are booming in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, with over $60 billion of projects planned over the next five years.

By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN

© Arab News 2010