
Wafrah extends MoU with Jordanian firm for French fries plant
The extension aims to allow for further studies on the economic feasibility of the Jordanian market and neighboring countries, the statement added.
According to Argaam data, Wafrah signed the MoU with Al-Daman on Aug. 28, 2024, outlining a cooperation framework between the two parties to establish a frozen French fries production plant in Jordan.

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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Life after cod: Latvia reinvents its coastal communities
VENTSPILS: Fishers do not usually wish for a 'perfect storm.' But Latvian boating communities are hoping for exactly that: a rare tempest that might, one day, revive waning stocks of Baltic cod. Decreasing salinity in the Baltic Sea is robbing the saltwater fish of the conditions it needs to thrive. And as its population shrinks, so do the fishing traditions that have long characterised villages along Latvia's 494-kilometer (307-mile) coastline. The result for the communities in this small EU nation is a drive to reinvent themselves, to survive. With the European Union steadily cutting allowable catches of Baltic cod, and moving toward a total ban to replenish stocks, towns and villages are diversifying into tourism and seafood processing. 'We launched a new marina for yachting, offered services for sea travelers, and a French investor opened a brand new shipyard for yacht building,' Agris Stulbergs, harbormaster for the port in the village of Engure, explained to AFP. Leisure boating has become a favored activity in this village, located just 50 kilometers from the capital Riga, and others. Farther west, in the port city of Ventspils, Juris Petersons, a lifelong seaman, reminisced how Latvian fishers used to bring in lavish hauls of fish highly valued in kitchens from Russia to Britain. 'Back in the mid-80s the Latvian fishing fleet brought in 55,000 tons of Baltic cod, in addition to salmon, herring and many other saltwater fish,' he said. Now 'the environmental conditions have become so unfavorable to cod growth that Latvian fishermen are allowed to catch just 16 tons of cod a year,' he said. 'And even that amounts only to the accidental by-catch when we fish for herring,' said Petersons, an industrial fishing boat skipper until he sold off his trawlers last year. The Baltic Sea is fed by a number of large freshwater rivers. It is connected with the North Sea only through the shallow Danish straits, preventing Atlantic saltwater from entering the Baltic basin. In order to recover, the cod population would need a rare seastorm, with just the right windspeed at the correct angle to push masses of saltwater into the Baltic Sea. That 'happened at least twice during the previous century, but currently we're waiting for that perfect storm for the third decade,' Petersons said. Given the smaller yield, many in the industry have focused on quality over quantity. 'All the fish canning companies... have either gone out of business or turned their production lines into making more valuable export-grade products,' said Janis Megnis, chief of the Roja port administration. Their high quality herring and anchovy products 'can be found today from Walmart in the United States to stores in Australia and Japan,' he said. Political changes have also affected the industry. Historically Latvia's fish processing industry mainly served markets in Russia and Belarus. But with the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, followed by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the resulting Western sanctions, Latvian fishing companies have been forced to seek other markets. The biggest importers today are Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Denmark and the UK, according to the agriculture ministry. New markets include Arab countries and South Africa. Many families in Latvia's coastal towns have also turned their former fisheries into guesthouses and vacation destinations or switched from selling raw fish to the more lucrative smoked, prepared and spiced varieties. 'My husband is a fifth-generation fisherman: he goes out to sea for fish, which we then smoke and turn into high-end products,' said Iveta Celkarte, who runs a fishing estate in Berzciems village. 'We also have a family cafe... serving our own seafood,' said Celkarte, who has also become a television and social media personality. Celkarte offers three-hour tours about the history of traditional fishing, taking visitors on a stroll through dunes to the shore and finishing with a special meal. 'For me it is important to tell people about the traditions of our coast, the history of fishing and the life of previous generations working on the sea' she said. Aivars Lembergs, a former mayor of Ventspils, said he began turning his city into a manufacturing hub and developing tourism has been key, and is paying off. The city is seeing many tourists coming in from neighboring Lithuania. 'During summers you'll sometimes see more Lithuanians on the streets of Ventspils than Latvians, as Lithuania has a very short Baltic coastline, and their tourists come here to enjoy the short Baltic summer,' said Lembergs, who was mayor between 1988 and 2021.


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11 hours ago
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Felix Joins Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Saudi Pro League Secures Another Star
Portuguese forward Joao Felix has officially joined Saudi giants Al-Nassr on a two-year deal, where he will reunite with his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, the club announced on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in Felix's career. At just 25 years old, Felix has already made headlines for his impressive moves in European football. He initially made a blockbuster transfer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a staggering USD147.3 million, in one of the most expensive in football history. However, his journey since then has been a rollercoaster ride, with his fortunes declining over the years. A Journey Through Europe Felix soared after Benfica sold him to Atlético Madrid for €127.7 million in 2019, in one of the most expensive in football history. He subsequently embarked on various loan spells, including stints at Barcelona, AC Milan, and Chelsea. Despite these opportunities, he consistently struggled to surpass ten goals in any season since departing Benfica. However, this move offers him a revitalized platform alongside football's ultimate winner, Ronaldo. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's growing league provides stability after turbulent European chapters. 'I'm here to spread joy. Let's win together,' Felix stated in a video posted on the club's X account. His enthusiasm reflects a fresh start and a desire to make an impact in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr fans eagerly anticipate his contributions alongside Ronaldo, who has been a transformative figure in the league since his arrival. Looking Ahead Felix's contract with Al Nassr extends until 2027, providing him with a platform to revive his career as the combination of Felix and Ronaldo could create a formidable partnership, potentially leading Al-Nassr to new heights in both domestic and international competitions. As the Saudi Pro League continues to attract global talent, Felix's arrival signifies the league's growing prominence on the world stage. In conclusion, Joao Felix's move to Al-Nassr represents a pivotal moment in his career. With the support of Cristiano Ronaldo and the passionate Al-Nassr fanbase, Felix aims to reclaim his status as one of football's brightest stars. The upcoming season promises to be thrilling as fans eagerly await the duo's performances on the pitch. Short link : Post Views: 23


Asharq Al-Awsat
11 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kering's Quarterly Sales Weaker than Expected, Gucci Down 25%
Kering, the French group that owns fashion labels Gucci and Saint Laurent, reported on Tuesday a 15% drop in quarterly revenues, falling short of market expectations as the luxury sector grapples with a prolonged slump. Sales in the second quarter totaled 3.7 billion euros ($4.3 billion), down 15% on a comparable basis, missing a Visible Alpha consensus estimate among analysts for a 13% drop cited by UBS. Gucci, which accounts for the bulk of group profits, reported sales of 1.46 billion euros, down 25% year on year. Kering, whose shares have lost around 60% of their value over the last 24 months, has struggled with falling sales for over two years. Last month, it said it had hired former Renault CEO Luca de Meo as its next chief executive from September. A newly-agreed 15% tariff rate on all European Union exports to the United States, a key market where Kering makes over 20% of its sales, will add to headwinds. "The tariff impact is perfectly manageable for us," Armelle Poulou, Kering's finance chief, told journalists. Kering's brands, which also include smaller labels Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, have already raised prices globally and more specifically in the United States, where Poulou said the company was taking a measured approach with a close eye on consumer sentiment. "There could be a second wave of price adjustments in the autumn," she said. The French group controlled by the billionaire Pinault family reduced its net debt in the first half of the year to 9.5 billion euros from 10.5 billion at the end of last year, largely due to real estate sales.