Symposium on Agricultural Traceability in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
It was a great day in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!
The Export Council of Australia successfully held a symposium on agricultural traceability with Australian and Saudi delegates from business and government. Moderated by Arnold Jorge and Angela Wright, the symposium involved key Saudi agencies including the Ministry for Environment, Water and Agriculture (وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة), and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA – هيئة الغذاء والدواء).
In our brief time here, it became obvious to us that Saudi Arabia’s economic modernisation is accelerating. This presents a major opportunity for Australian organisations to do business in the country.
During the dialogue, we exchanged insights on best practices relating to food safety and environmental sustainability.
We welcome the expression of interest from our Saudi counterparts to further international collaboration on global traceability.
There was also a strong desire to build on the bilateral trading relationship between the two countries on a range of products.
We followed the event with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ECA and Australian Saudi Business Forum, demonstrating our commitment to doing more in this part of the world.
Our appreciation goes to the Australian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mark Donovan, for opening the event. And thanks to Sammi Hosseini, Counsellor (Agriculture) at the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, as well as Sam Jamsheedi and Daniel Jamsheedi from the Australian Saudi Business Forum for their support of the event.
We thank the Australian delegation that accompanied us including:
- Ms Carolyn Suggate – Founder & Director, Organic & Regenerative Investment Co-operative (ORICoop)
- Mr Damon Holmes – Business Development Manager – Middle East & North Africa, Meat & Livestock Australia
- Ms Dalene Wray AM Wray – Managing Director, OBE Organic®Australian Beef
- Mr Luke Wood – CEO, Escavox
- Ms Natalie Bussau – Founder / Director, Australian Wildflower
- Mr Manujith Samantha (Sam) – International Sales and Category Manager, The Avolution
- Ms Sharon Winsor – Founder, Indigiearth
We appreciate the support of Australian trade commissioners and officials including Todd Miller, Aziz Saba,MBA, Leah Arnold-Phillips, and Moin Anwar.