H. E. the CEO of the National Fisheries Development Program, Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Al Shaikhi, received  H. E. the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Kingdom James Monroe and his accompanying delegation at his office at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Riyadh.The meeting discussed aspects of joint cooperation in the fields of aquaculture, fish processing, training of national cadres and utilization of New Zealand expertise in aquaculture.

Form his part, Dr. Al-Shaikhi said that the program is open to all and welcomed the New Zealand government's desire that the New Zealand companies would like to play a role in the ambitious development projects of the Kingdom's aquaculture and fisheries sectors, which are growing rapidly in line with the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia 2030 to reach 600,000 ton of aquaculture products.

During the meeting, which was held with the participation of the Saudi Aquaculture Society, the stages of development were reviewed as well as plans for expansion and development aimed at developing the aquaculture and fisheries sector in general, as well as presenting the national program initiatives in the national transformation program 2020.
 
The New Zealand Ambassador has praised the success and development of the aquaculture sector in the Kingdom during the recent period, and has praising the great efforts exerted by the Saudi Government to develop this sector as one of the most promising economic sectors in the country's plans to diversify sources of income and reduce dependence on oil.