Abdullah Zaid Al-Meleihi, a member of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) and chairman of the Saudi-Singapore Business Council, has called for the establishment of showrooms for nonoil Saudi exports in Asia and other Arab countries.

“There's a need for a more impressive presentation of Saudi products than the way it's currently being done. In this regard, there's a need for the establishment of showrooms in Asia and in other Arab countries to promote Saudi nonoil exports,” he said.

He added that the Export Development Authority (EDA) has exerted efforts and has great potentials in promoting Saudi products with government support. However, Al-Meleihi added, there's a need for it to redouble efforts to promote Saudi products.

“This is why we propose that specialized centers like showrooms be established in Asian and other Arab countries to maximize the benefits from our nonoil exports. It's also a support for the Kingdom's efforts to develop its downstream industry,” he said.

“There's a need for more coordination among concerned authorities, including the Council of Saudi Chambers,” Al-Meleihi said.

Al-Meleihi added that if and when the specialized centers in Asia are established, they will benefit from the free trade agreement (FTA) between Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries and Singapore.

Under the FTA, he said, 99 percent of products from Singapore come to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries without customs duties and vice versa.