In partnership with The Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA), the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) hosted a webinar on March 24, 2021 on exporting to the United States. The webinar offered a comprehensive overview of the U.S. import market and detailed information on requirements and documents, the Saudi export process and U.S. import process, compliance, and more. The program featured a presentation from Expeditors International, one the world’s largest logistics and freight-forwarding companies with 357 global locations and more than 100 companies served.
The organization of the webinar is part of ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and SEDA through an MOU signed in October 2020. The agreement aims to identify and grow new export opportunities and avenues, as well as facilitate long-lasting trade relationships in line with SEDA’s mission, and the webinar served as just one in a series of initiatives and programs that the two organizations will be jointly organizing.
The webinar kicked off with an overview of the role of the SEDA, an independent Saudi organization dedicated to opening up global markets to Saudi companies of varying sizes and across all industries. It was followed by a snapshot of the U.S. import market including key trade statistics and types of trade goods, as well as a discussion on tips and practices for finding buyers and customers in the U.S.
Participants gained insightful knowledge on securing necessary permits and licenses to export to the U.S., complying with American standards requirements, best practices on finding distribution channels, and building on an online business component. After the presentation, participants submitted their questions to be answered by the subject matter experts on the panel.
Representing SEDA were Mr. Faisal Al-Bedah, Secretary General, and Mr. Feras AL-Humidi, Director General, Export Promotion. From the USSBC, speakers included Mr. David Callahan, Senior Vice President and Mr. Jamil Alothman, Vice President, Industrial Development. Representing Expeditors International were Mr. Omar Salha, District Sales Manager and Mr. Serge Boustany, District Manager.
USSBC President and CEO H. Delano Roosevelt served as the moderator of the event. During the webinar, Mr. Roosevelt ensured participants and interested parties that the USSBC and SEDA will be with them every step of the way to help them take advantage of the opportunities in the U.S. import market and grow their business in the U.S.
If you are a Saudi company interested in exporting to the U.S., please contact Abdulaziz Aldebasi, General Manager of our Riyadh office at aaldebasi@ussaudi.org.
