EDB-Riyadh Embassy-SFDA conduct webinar on export registration procedures to Saudi Arabia

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), successfully conducted an informative webinar on the registration procedures and regulatory requirements for exporting products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with the participation of over 90 Sri Lankan export companies.

The webinar was organised as a timely follow-up to the discussions held during Foodex Saudi 2025, with the objective of addressing the regulatory challenges faced by Sri Lankan exporters and providing practical guidance on compliance with the SFDA requirements.

The session focused on the regulatory framework and company registration procedures applicable to a wide range of product categories, including poultry and meat products, fisheries products, processed foods, frozen fruits and vegetables, beverages, including fruit juices and king coconut water, herbal products such as herbal cosmetics, herbal beverages and herbal medicinal products.

The webinar commenced with opening remarks from the SFDA representatives, followed by remarks from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia and the EDB Sri Lanka chairman/CEO. 

The chairman highlighted the growing trade relations between the two countries, noting that Saudi Arabia ranked as the 23rd export destination for Sri Lanka in 2025, with export earnings reaching US $ 137.85 million, marking the highest level recorded in recent years and an increase of 13.3 percent compared to 2024. 

The officials from the SFDA served as resource persons for the session, delivering presentations and clarifying technical procedures related to product registration, facility approval, inspection processes and clearance operations. The SFDA officials who led the presentations included:

 SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey 

 International Cooperation Executive Director Khalid Almesfair 

 Faris M. Abdullah of Investment Department

 Food Products Specifications Section Head Abdulaziz Al Rabeah 

 Food Products Registration Section Head Abdullah AlMulhim 

 Senior Products and Facilities Inspection Expert Fahad Alazmi 

 Senior Clearance Operations Support Expert Abdulaziz AlTuraifi 

 Senior Product Registration Support Expert Abdulmalik Bin Saeed 

 Senior Products and Facilities Inspection Expert Mohammed Al-Harthi 

 Senior Registration and Licensing Expert Ali Aljumayd 

The event also saw the participation of officials from the Fisheries Department, Animal Health Department and Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka, demonstrating strong institutional support to facilitate smoother market access for Sri Lankan exporters.

Following the technical presentations by the SFDA officials, an interactive Q&A session allowed the participants to raise specific concerns and receive direct guidance from the experts. The high level of engagement reflected the strong interest of the exporters in complying with the Saudi regulations and expanding their presence in the KSA market.

This initiative marks another significant step in strengthening bilateral trade cooperation and supporting Sri Lankan exporters in navigating regulatory frameworks, thereby enhancing their ability to access and sustain exports to the KSA.