Klaija Festival boosts local economy with $5.3m in sales

The 15th Klaija Festival in Buraidah has recorded SR20 million ($5.3 million) in sales, marking a boost to the local economy.

The 20-day event, which ended on Feb. 27, was held at the King Khalid Cultural Center.

Over 20,000 people visited the festival each day which is held annually to boost local entrepreneurship, cuisine and handicrafts.

Organized by the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, the festival featured participants from Gulf countries, along with 217 families and 20 craftsmen specializing in handicrafts.

In response to the increased demand and attendance, Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal had extended the festival by 10 days.

Nayef Al-Mansaleh, the executive director of the festival, said more than 700 young men and women from various organizations had supported the event.

The klaija dessert is one of the leading products of the region and has helped to create jobs for local producers. Klaija’s ingredients include wheat flour, sugar, lemon, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and molasses. The dough is stuffed with some of the ingredients and baked to a crisp.

Diplomats from Ghana, Finland, Algeria, Maldives, accompanied by their families, had attended the event in Buraidah earlier this month.