Set-up of a date processing facility in Saudi Arabia: consulting services for quality control and process advice

A private investor from Saudi Arabia aims at building a date processing factory in Qasim. The consortium AFC / EuroConsultants, Belgium, has been recruited as advisor and quality control supervisor to oversee the construction process and to ensure that the factory meets international standards to allow for exporting date products to Europe, U.S.A. and other international markets. Together with the construction company, the consortium is advising the investor in the set-up of packing houses with capacities for receiving, sorting, sterilizing, cleaning, sizing, packing and freezing / cooling of dates. In addition, transformation capabilities for date processing (frozen dates, pressed dates, filed dates, covered dates, date ice cream, syrup, vinegar, etc.) will be assessed. Activities will include Assessment of factory plans (layout, transformation capabilities, handling and packing technologies, available technologies, quality standards) Identification and selection of suppliers for equipment and machines (including visits to international trade fairs) Budgeting and profitability planning Advice on specific requirements for organic production and for exporting to international markets Advice on the start of the processing factory and technical training on site Start/Completion: 01.11.2012 – 30.04.2014 Contact Person: ute.jacob [at] afci.de