BURAIDAH — The Buraidah International Dates Carnival opened on Saturday near the Palm Center south of Buraidah, drawing farmers, traders and importers from within Saudi Arabia and abroad.Held under the patronage of Qassim Emir Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal and organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the carnival will run for 75 days until Oct. 14.Recognized as one of the world's largest dates markets and listed in the Guinness World Records, the annual event serves as a major economic platform for the Kingdom's dates industry, attracting participants and visitors from across the region.The carnival highlights Qassim's leading position in the palm and dates sector. The region is home to around 11 million palm trees, producing an estimated 578,000 tons of dates annually.The sector generates approximately SR3.2 billion in annual economic returns and provides more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, and supporting investment.The event also features cultural, tourism and entertainment activities that showcase Qassim's agricultural heritage and enrich the visitor experience.