​Within the framework of Saudi Export Development Authority's constant attention to raise the awareness of export culture in all industrial and service sectors in line with the Kingdom’s Vision for 2030, "SAUDI EXPORTS" participates in "Dates international Conference" scheduled be held in Riyadh, on 25 and 26 Rajab 1439 H corresponding to 11 and 12 April 2018 AD, to raise the awareness of export and to highlight the international market opportunities in the field of dates and how to increase the share of the Kingdom in it. The conference is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul-Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, with the participation of several Arab Ministers of Agriculture and Environment, officials, regional and international experts and organizations concerned, organized by Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture in cooperation with National Center for Palms & Dates, and it is also considered as the first conference of its kind in the Kingdom.

On the first day of the conference, Secretary General of "SAUDI EXPORTS", Eng. Salah Al Solami, will participate in a discussion session, entitled (investment opportunities in infrastructure of Dates and Palms Sector) along with a range of speakers from relevant authorities, whereas the participation of Secretary General will be at the core of (Value-added chain from farm to markets) and it includes (the local and international markets and how to enable manufacturers to export). On the second day of the conference, "SAUDI EXPORTS" will also present a separate report about (Marketing opportunities for dates).

On the sidelines of its participation in the conference, "SAUDI EXPORTS" provides an interactive pavilion in the accompanying exhibition, which includes a package of events including "Export to grow your works workshop", which provides an overview about export and its importance in business development, important tips and tools for exporters and the role of "SAUDI EXPORTS" in supporting enterprises. Successful Saudi stories outstanding in the field of dates export will be hosted to talk about their stimulating experience and to communicate directly with the visitors. In addition to business matching sessions, that "SAUDI EXPORTS" will organize a visit to a range of potential buyers interested in Saudi dates to meet local dates companies and to hold business matching meetings at the pavilion, and to inform them about "Register as a buyer" service which contributes to connect Saudi exporters with potential buyers interested in Saudi products from around the world. In addition, a distinct visual film about dates, the Kingdom's exports from dates and the role of authority to enable exporters to access to the international markets will be showed.

On his part, Eng. Saleh Al-Solami stressed the keenness of "SAUDI EXPORTS" to raise exporters awareness about export measures, developing their readiness, encouraging them to open up to the international markets and raising the competitiveness of local products reflecting Saudi product Positioning, stressing the importance of dates industry in the Kingdom, where the value of exports of Saudi Arabia dates for the first nine months of 2017 was amounted to 591 million SAR, including re-export. The United Arab Emirates comes in the forefront of the import countries with a value of 126 million SAR, followed by Turkey with a value of 54 million SAR, then Kuwait with a value of 50 million SAR. He also added that Saudi exports from dates reach more than 60 countries around the world, indicating that the opportunities for the Kingdom to take over the international markets for dates is significant, especially that the Kingdom is one of the most productive countries for dates in the world.

It is worth mentioning that "SAUDI EXPORTS" invests all its possibilities towards improving the efficiency of the export environment, developing export capacities, promoting exporters and their products and encouraging Saudi products in addition to raising its competitiveness to access to the international markets reflecting the position of Saudi product, and to be an extension of the national economy in a way that achieves the objectives of "SAUDI EXPORTS", reflects Kingdom’s Vision for 2030 and satisfies the aspirations of the wise leadership to diversify sources of income for the national economy.