Saudi Arabia plans to continue its cooperation with Ukraine in crop cultivation, veterinary medicine, and feed production. Businesses have also expressed interest in the joint development of livestock farming and organic production.
That’s according to Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitalii Koval, who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia as part of a government delegation, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
Koval stated that meetings had already been held with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, and Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadli. Discussions focused on preparing an economic mission comprising government officials and business representatives.
“Members of the Ukrainian delegation met with Saudi entrepreneurs. More than 80 business representatives interested in cooperating with Ukraine attended the meeting. I thanked them for supporting our country and believing in its future despite all challenges. For example, Continental Farmers Group, a company with Saudi investment, is already cultivating 200,000 hectares of Ukrainian land. They are among the top ten largest taxpayers in the agricultural sector, having paid over UAH 1.6 billion in taxes last year. They also plan to expand their operations, particularly in grain and potato farming in the western regions,” Koval said.
Another notable example is the Saudi company SALIC, which has invested in one of Ukraine’s largest agricultural holdings, MHP, acquiring a 12.6% stake. Koval noted that he discussed potential expansion of cooperation with SALIC’s CEO.
“It is pleasant that the Saudi side sees growth potential in Ukraine. We discussed opportunities for cooperation in crop cultivation, veterinary medicine, and feed production. There is also business interest in the joint development of livestock farming and organic production. We are moving forward,” Koval added.
A Ukrainian delegation is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. During a meeting in Riyadh on February 16, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, presented investment opportunities in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and other sectors. The discussions also covered the participation of Saudi companies in Ukraine’s privatization efforts.
Photo credit: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine
Source: Saudi Arabia interested in cooperation with Ukraine's agricultural sector – Koval
