Saudi Medical Industry Seeks African Market

Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) logo
Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) logo
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Saudi Medical Industry Seeks African Market

Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) logo
Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) logo

The Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) wants to promote the medical and health industries in the Kingdom, this time, through an African Conformity Conference.

SEDA announced its participation in a trade mission consisting of 15 Saudi companies specialized in pharmaceutical industries and medical devices at the annual African Business Forum held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, which concluded on Friday.

The Forum is considered one of the most prominent trade events in Africa specialized in the field of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

The Saudi participation in the forum comes within SEDA’s keenness to open new international markets for the Saudi product and organize direct business meetings with importers around the world.

The Authority stressed that the growing interest in African markets for pharmaceutical products and medical devices is in line with the competitive advantage gained by the pharmaceutical industry in Saudi Arabia.

It noted that the Saudi medical industry reached over 65 countries around the world with an export volume of $426.6 million in 2018, and a total of $2.2 billion over the last five years.

During the Forum, 15 Saudi companies showcased their pharmaceutical and medical products to delegations and trade missions from 13 African and Arab countries such as Tunisia, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mauritania, Nigeria and other countries with promising commercial markets.

SEDA increased its participation in conferences and major economic and trade events around the world as one of the innovative solutions to promote the quality of the national product and the development of human competencies in the field of export.

The Saudi Exports Development Authority is an independent national authority that seeks to develop Saudi non-oil exports. The Authority hopes to do this by achieving three strategic themes in the Saudi export ecosystem including enhance SME export readiness, generate opportunities for export-ready businesses, and advocate ecosystem efficiency and international market access.

The Authority also provides incentives to exporters and facilitates opportunities and markets appropriate for enterprises. It also facilitates linking exporters with buyers and potential partners to contribute to Vision 2030 targets related to raising non-oil exports from 16 percent to 50 percent of GDP.



Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
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Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA

The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia continues to attract more visitors to achieve the country's target of 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

The General Entertainment Authority announced last Friday that Riyadh Season 2024 has already welcomed over 12 million visitors since its launch on October 13 with a daily average of around 174,000 visitors.

The number of visitors to Riyadh Season 2024 has already exceeded half the total attendance of last year's season, which was 20 million visitors, with a daily average of about 150,000 visitors.

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh announced during a press conference for Riyadh Season 2024 that this year's edition will include 14 entertainment areas, 11 international tournaments, and 100 exhibitions and festivals.

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib revealed earlier this year that the country had achieved the goals of Vision 2030 by surpassing 100 million visitors. As a result, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s new strategy was set to reach 150 million visitors.

In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector as a major contributor to the country’s economic diversification.
An IMF report acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s success in exceeding the Vision 2030 target of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. Tourism revenues reached $36 billion in 2023, with net tourism income increasing by 38%. The sector’s direct and indirect contribution to GDP reached 11.5% in 2023, with expectations to grow to 16% by 2034.