Review by "SAUDI EXPORTS" of Activities during the First Half of 2015
Launching of the actual activities and events of the Saudi Exports Development Authority "SAUDI EXPORTS" started at the beginning of 2015. "SAUDI EXPORTS " an independent government agency, seeks to provide services that contribute to the development of globally competitive Saudi non-oil products by motivating and encouraging national companies to export; a step which will be reflect positively on the growth of their business and contribute to strengthening their presence in international markets.
During the first half of 2015, the "SAUDI EXPORTS" managed through its website to register more than 1,350 national firms. It also published an updated version of assessment of companies' readiness for export in order to provide set of services for each category of national companies and factories, according to the results of the assessment. 177 firms have so far completed the export readiness assessment test via the Authority website: Saudiexports.sa.
In cooperation with exporters, the "SAUDI EXPORTS" was able to identify 51 obstacles during the last period. Its strategic partnership with the relevant government agencies, which are related to export conditions and legislation, has helped in addressing 25 barriers. The Authority is currently working to address the remaining barriers, in addition to studying the current status of export environment and procedures in Saudi Arabia, comparing them with global practices applicable in some neighboring countries.
The trade teams and business-to-business meetings are one of the most important services provided by the "SAUDI EXPORTS" to promote access of national products to the international markets. The Authority has sponsored signing of an agreement between the Spanish El Corte Inglés Company and nine Saudi companies in food and plastic materials sectors. It also organized the Saudi Business Forum, which was held in "Kazakhstan- and Azerbaijan;" an activity covered by which falls under the business-to-business matchmaking service. The forum, held in the cities of Astana and Baku, was attended by more than 85 Saudi businessmen.
On the other hand, the "SAUDI EXPORTS" provided the necessary information relating to the target market and to clarify the current demand by some importing countries for a range of goods or sectors. It also published reports that included information and economic data about countries like Turkey, India, and Egypt. Other reports were related to sectors including petrochemicals, food, electrical products, and packaging in the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to a report on the food sector in Asia.
The "SAUDI EXPORTS" provided 31 training courses to Saudi companies "registered" with it in implementation of its plan to offer 24 different topics through training workshops intended for exporters. This effort was divided into four stages covering all categories of exporters up to 2018. The most prominent topics covered through training workshops were "introduction to export process, product development, markets study, how to take advantage of exhibitions, export procedures, and how to issue certificates and export permits. The Authority worked with the "Saudi Exports Program" one of its partners in the government sector, to organize training workshops in the fields of "finance and insurance", and a workshop on "international trade agreements and the principles of the World Trade Organization".
The international specialized exhibitions, one of the most important services provided by the "SAUDI EXPORTS ", was able to serve more than 800 Saudi companies since launching the pilot stage of the Authority's activities by the end of 2013, bringing the number of Saudi companies joining the Saudi Pavilion during the first half of 2015 only to 216. These companies took part in nine international exhibitions covering food, petrochemicals, plastics, electricity and other sectors.