SEDA: Saudi Arabia’s export sector needs improvement

Saudi Arabia’s export sector could be improved as the kingdom works with local companies to resolve its export regulations, said Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Alhagbani, secretary general of the Saudi Exports Development Authority (SEDA).

Government agencies, in collaboration with companies and factories, are currently working to resolve export restrictions, he said.

Saudi’s overall economic boom provided great opportunities for local businesses, which made it difficult to convince investors to consider exporting goods, he said in an interview with Al Arabiya news channel.

In order to boost the export sector, the authority is providing Saudi companies with reports on the needs of global markets, as well as arranging exhibitions and delegations.

He said that Saudi Arabia has more to offer than petroleum and petrochemical exports, such as water heaters, fire extinguishers, and other products.

Last September, the kingdom’s non-petroleum exports dropped by 5 percent to SAR 17.8 billion, compared to SAR 18.8 billion during the same time last year.