Mr.Alhakbani: the King’s vision established a new era towards a diversified economy and the exhibition revealed the quality of our national products.
The Saudi Ambassador HRH Mohammed bin Nawaf bin AbdulAziz Al Saud ,and in the presence of Secretary General of the Saudi Export Development Authority Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Alhaqbani, has inaugurated the Saudi pavilion at the International Food & Drink event (IFE) that was held in London on March 22nd-25th. This pavilion is considered the first and largest trade participation for the food sector in the specialized international European exhibitions of national companies. KSA is participating in this exhibition as a Sponsor “Partner Country” in the presence of 45 Saudi companies.
The Saudi Exports Development Authority “SAUDI EXPORTS” is responsible for organizing the Saudi pavilion in which several national food products are displayed. This participation organized by "SAUDI EXPORTS” is meant to open potential markets for export to serve the national facilities, founding an appropriate platform for communication with existing clients, in addition to encouraging national products to open wider horizons for potential clients. This would be achieved through promoting these products via international platforms as the IFE in London.
On the other hand, SAUDI EXPORTS Secretary General Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Alhakbani asserted that diversifying the income resources of the national economy is considered an ultimate priority for KSA at this stage; as this diversification is highly heeded to within the future vision formed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, May Allah protect him.
Nevertheless, Mr.Alhakbani confirms: “We have established this vision - launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, May Allah protect him - for a new era based on seizing opportunities and harnessing potentials for a growing economy. This, in turn, will enhance the diversification of national economy’s base through a variety of strategic options; the most significant of which is “export” being a key factor that affects growth and development”.
In his speech at the International Food & Drink Event IFE in London, the SAUDI EXPORTS Secretary General outlined that KSA believes in the capability and premium quality of Saudi distinguished national industries because of the Kingdom’s natural and human resources, which qualify KSA for the competition in the global markets. Thus, “SAUDI EXPORTS” is working on competitiveness through encouraging and developing non-oil exports; to enhance their competitiveness and openness to the international markets. This, in turn, will contribute in discovering new profitable opportunities that demonstrates the value and quality of the Saudi product.
Mr. Ahmed Alhakbani also asserted that the “SAUDI EXPORTS” is working on connecting Saudi exporters and foreign importers through providing the opportunity for the national industrial entities to market and introduce their products in a number of specialized international exhibitions. The Secretary General further added that this effort conforms with the volume of demand for Saudi non-oil exports, whose cumulative growth rate has mounted to 19% during the past five years, excluding the re-exported goods.
Moreover, Secretary General Mr.Alhaqbani stressed that the food sector is one of the most significant promising industrial sectors, as the food exports achieved a sum of 12 billion Saudi Riyals in 2013 and a growth rate that mounted to 6% in 2009-2013. Meanwhile, the European markets achieved more than 30 billion Saudi Riyals, of which 52% were for the United Kingdom in 2013.
Mr.Alhakbani concluded his speech by pointing out the aspiration to further growing the existing opportunities in the European markets; foremost of which is the British market being one of the significant and strategic markets. This is due to the historic bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the presence of Islamic and Arabic communities that constitute an important and robust market for the Saudi food products.