Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Launches “Sabil,” the National Grains Supply Company

Under the patronage of His Excellency Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Food Security Authority and SALIC Group, the National Grains Supply Company “Sabil” was launched today during an official ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters, in the presence of a number of Their Excellencies and officials from relevant government entities.

The launch of “Sabil” comes within the framework of the implementation of Cabinet Resolutions No. (440) dated 24/06/1444H, and No. (621) dated 06/09/1444H, which stipulate the transformation of the General Grains Organization into the General Food Security Authority, and the formation of a steering committee to oversee the transfer of operational tasks to SALIC, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, where “Sabil” undertakes the operational tasks related to the management of silos and the strategic wheat reserve system.

On this occasion, His Excellency Engineer Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fares, Governor of the General Food Security Authority, noted that the launch of “Sabil” is a pivotal stage in the institutional transformation of the grains sector, and embodies the national trends aimed at raising the efficiency and sustainability of food supply chains. He added that the Authority will continue during the transitional phase to supervise the operations of purchasing local and imported wheat, while “Sabil” has begun to assume the tasks of handling wheat from ports to milling companies and managing and operating storage silos in various regions of the Kingdom.

Engineer Sulaiman bin Abdulrahman AlRumaih, CEO of SALIC Group, confirmed that the establishment of “Sabil” comes within the efforts to enhance food security by building an integrated operational system that covers all stages of the food supply chain, starting from the origin of basic commodities, passing through ports and maritime transport, to storage capacities and logistics services, and ending with food manufacturing stages. He stressed the importance of integration between the relevant authorities to ensure the efficiency of performance and continuity of supplies.

Mr. Abdulrahman bin Saud Al Oweis, CEO of “Sabil” Company, explained that the company aims to support the food security system by adopting the best operational practices, providing qualitative solutions that enhance performance efficiency and raise the level of readiness, in addition to building strategic partnerships with relevant parties.

It is noted that “Sabil” will operate 14 branches of silos in various regions of the Kingdom, including four branches in ports (Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, Yanbu Commercial Port, and Jazan Port) with a total storage capacity exceeding 2.7 million tons.