Riyadh, January 21, 2021, SPA -- The Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO) announced today a tender to import 480,000 tons of wheat to be supplied during the period of March-April 2021, in order to increase the reserve stock until the private sector assumes the mission of importing and selling barley. Governor of SAGO Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Fares stated that the amount specified in the tender is distributed to 8 ships; six ships with the amount of 360,000 tons for the Kingdom’s ports on the Red Sea and two ships with the amount of 120,000 tons for the Kingdom’s ports on the Arabian Gulf. The Governor pointed out that through the (Import) platform, the Organization has completed the qualification procedures for 9 private sector companies specialized in the trade of barley and have stations that meet the technical requirements for barley importing and trading as well as feed factories. This is in addition to 5 companies that are currently in the process of completing the documents and qualification requirements. He added that all import applications submitted by qualified companies have been approved. The Cabinet had previously approved to assign the importing and selling barley mission to the private sector in line with the government's direction towards increasing the private sector’s contribution to the economy and opening new areas for it to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. --SPA 11:37 LOCAL TIME 08:37 GMT 0004 www.spa.gov.sa/w1488299