RIYADH, 10 May 2005 — Locally manufactured products can now be sold or rented out through the website of the National Products Center (NPC) under a contract signed here between the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Saudi Exports Development Council.
Hussein Al-Athel, secretary general of RCCI, said that under the agreement NPC will use the RCCI website to give out information on Saudi products, including industrial, agricultural and medical equipment. This will be in addition to illustrated brochures and a special CD which will be available in the NPC showroom as well as some leading bookstores.
The move represents a major private-sector initiative to boost exports or sale of Saudi non-oil products, which could also be rented out on a short- or long-term basis. It adds a new dimension to the export promotion program which got a shot in the arm recently when the Saudi Funds for Development added a new portfolio to its activities under a government decision to lend credit to Saudi exports.
Referring to the contract, the secretary-general said it also allows the private sector to display their products in the showroom of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He said copies of the product profile would also be made available to the Saudi Exports Development Council belonging to the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the framework of the agreement. “This will also give a boost to the Council in its efforts to promote Saudi exports,” Al-Athel said, adding that the private sector could also showcase their products through special exhibitions at NPC and elsewhere. To this end, NPC will also contact some government departments in charge of export promotion.
Manufacturers of local products have been asked to visit the website, which gives complete information on a wide range of equipment that are either for sale or for rent. A copy of the contract is also available there.
The secretary general said another important aspect of the contract is that it allows the NPC to facilitate the task of export promotion concerning locally manufactured goods belonging to the private sector. According to market sources, the Saudi market is crowded with unused products and equipment which were brought here at the beginning of the Saudi economy and have since outlived their usefulness. They include agricultural equipment which were used for planting seeds and are now lying idle as some farmers have switched over to other fields.
There are 15 different types of products and equipment for sale or hire. They include a total of 13,271 items in both categories. Of these, 10,663 products are for sale, 1,382 for rent and 1,226 either for sale or for rent. Also, the NPC is encouraging departments and companies to add new products on its website.
