Saudi Arabia plans to grow strategic grains abroad to protect the country from crises in world food supply, a government official said on Saturday. A deputy agriculture minister said the government was in talks with officials in Sudan, Egypt, Ukraine, Pakistan and Turkey to allow Saudi companies to establish projects for wheat, barley, soya bean, rice and animal fodder. The government would like to pave the way for Saudi investors to go abroad to use their experience, know-how and money to invest in such countries in order to bring produce here.

Foodstuff outlets in Ajman and Sharjah which increase the prices of essential commodities in the run-up to the holy month of Ramadan, will be fined. The warning was issued on Thursday by the municipalities in both the emirates. The municipalities plan to intensify inspections jointly with the Ministry of Economy to ensure that prices are not increased arbitrarily. In Ajman, Yahiya Al Rayasa, head of the Licensing Section in Ajman Municipality said that circulars will be sent out to all bakeries, supermarkets, meat shops and fruits and vegetable markets. He said that the food outlets will be asked to display the prices of items approved by Ministry of Economy.

Dubai’s imports from Indonesia have declined by 25 per cent since the start of the global economic meltdown in October 2008 from Dh4 billion reported in 2007. Dubai has been importing from Indonesia machinery, electrical and electronics equipment, textile, precious stones and jewellery, wood and furniture, transport equipment, tyres, automobile spare parts, and foodstuffs. In 2007, Dubai’s top five imports were machinery, electrical and electronics equipment worth Dh769 million; textile- Dh716 million; precious stones and jewellery- Dh630 million; wood and furniture,- Dh402 million; and transport equipment- 
Dh306 million.