His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Region, chaired the High Committee meeting for the Buraidah International Date Festival for the season 1448 AH, to follow up on early preparations for the season, adopt the main directions of the festival, and review the executive plans and developmental initiatives that contribute to enhancing its status as the largest date festival in the world and maximizing its economic, tourism, and cultural impact.

The committee reviewed developments in the festival’s sites and programs, along with qualitative initiatives aimed at expanding its local and international presence. Most notably, enhancing the visual identity in vital sites and public places, activating partnerships with relevant entities, and attracting figures, ambassadors, investors, and specialized delegations to highlight the festival in the media and boost its regional and international presence. Additionally, developing the digital seasonal markets platform to raise the efficiency of commercial operations, facilitate buying and selling, protect the rights of all parties, and enhance the competitiveness of the date sector.

The committee was briefed on the targets of the media and marketing plan for the season, and mechanisms for improving the quality of services provided to visitors and participants. The meeting addressed developments in the seasonal markets platform, which has helped organize date trading and raise the efficiency of commercial operations. The number of registered farms exceeded 5,660, the number of shoppers reached 5,860, more than 556,130 transactions were carried out, and over 3,361 contracts were concluded, enhancing transaction reliability and protecting the rights of all parties. The meeting discussed initiatives to expand the festival’s local and international presence by enhancing the visual identity at airports, train stations, and shopping malls, and attracting influential figures, ambassadors, investors, and specialized delegations to highlight the festival in the media and strengthen its position as a leading international platform in the palm and date sector. The Governor of Qassim Region noted that the transformation of Buraidah Festival into the "Buraidah International Date Festival" represents a qualitative leap that is the fruit of years of work and development, aiming to transition the festival from a date marketing season into an integrated international platform combining economy, tourism, culture, and entertainment, enhancing Qassim Region’s position as a global center for date production and marketing, and contributing to attracting investors, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world. He emphasized the importance of continuing to develop the festival’s content and innovating qualitative initiatives that enhance its economic and developmental impact, and solidify its place on the international events map, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. His Highness appreciated the efforts of government agencies, the private sector, and working committees, affirming that integrated work among all parties is the main pillar for the festival’s success, and directed doubling efforts to make the 1448 AH season a success and present an exceptional edition reflecting the international status that the Buraidah International Date Festival has achieved.