Saudi Gazette report
AL-BAHA — Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih praised the promising economic, tourism, and entertainment potential of the Al-Baha region. He emphasized that the region’s comparative advantages qualify it to attract high-quality investments in several sectors, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 that aims to diversify income sources and enhance economic growth.

The minister made the remarks while attending a meeting organized by the Al-Baha Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Several businessmen, businesswomen, and investors from the region attended the meeting.

In his address, Al-Falih said that the region is poised to implement significant investment projects, including the Jabal Al-Nour University Medical City project. He noted that the Ministry of Investment will work, in cooperation with the region's governorate, the Al-Baha Chamber of Commerce, and the private sector, to provide promising investment opportunities and support an attractive environment for investors.

Al-Falih said that the ministry implements its investment activities through an integrated system dedicated to serving investors by providing the necessary facilities and addressing challenges in coordination with relevant entities. He affirmed that the private sector is a key partner in achieving development and investment goals. The meeting witnessed a discussion session of the most prominent challenges facing the investment sector in the Al-Baha region, in addition to reviewing the ministry’s role in empowering and supporting investors, which enhances the region’s competitiveness and investment position.

Al-Falih visits Coffee City in Mashouqa
Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih made an inspection tour of the Coffee City in Mashouqa Center in Al-Baha Region, reviewing its components and agricultural projects. This is part of efforts to support high-quality agricultural investments and strengthen value-added supply chains for local products.

During the visit, Executive Director of the Coffee City Eng. Mohammed Houta briefed the minister on the city project’s development phases and objectives. He explained that the city spans a total area of 1,662,000 square meters and includes the cultivation of approximately 500,000 coffee trees, with an estimated annual production capacity of about 2,500 tons of green coffee.

Houta noted that the Coffee City is the first agricultural city announced by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Al-Baha Region, reflecting the region’s comparative advantage in coffee cultivation and expanding opportunities for agricultural investment and related agro-industries.

He added that the city includes a coffee roasting and packaging plant covering 4,400 square meters, with a production capacity of up to 10,500 tons of roasted coffee annually. This contributes to higher production efficiency, improved quality, and stronger competitiveness of the national product in local and international markets.

The project is part of broader efforts to develop sustainable agriculture, empower local communities, and maximize the use of promising agricultural resources.