Saudi Arabia And Vietnam Collaborate To Enhance Food Security And Local Production Capabilities

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation in its food industry, guided by Saudi Vision 2030. This vision sees the sector as crucial for sustainable development and national security. It also aims to diversify the economy. The National Industrial Strategy prioritises the food industry for development and localisation, aiming for self-sufficiency and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in food manufacturing.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef recently visited Vietnam to enhance international industrial partnerships. The visit aimed to attract strategic investments and transfer advanced technologies to Saudi Arabia, focusing on promising sectors like food manufacturing and halal products. Alkhorayef engaged with major Vietnamese food companies, including Masan Group and Vinafood II, to strengthen industrial cooperation.

During discussions with Masan Group, which manufactures canned food and beverages, the minister focused on localising the food industry in Saudi Arabia. They explored export opportunities to Middle Eastern and African markets and discussed developing products tailored to regional preferences. Talks also covered improving logistics efficiency through joint transport solutions and investing in new production lines.

Alkhorayef's meeting with Vinafood II, a leading rice exporter, centred on strengthening bilateral food security. They explored cooperation in developing integrated cold chain solutions and transferring expertise for advanced grain logistics centres in Saudi Arabia. These discussions highlighted Saudi Arabia's role as the largest food market in the Middle East.

The conversations underscored opportunities to enhance partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Such collaborations would support localising food manufacturing in the Kingdom and facilitate Vietnamese products' access to Saudi and Middle Eastern markets. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's initiatives to develop its food industry further.

Developing Industrial Clusters

Saudi Arabia is advancing its food industry through specialised industrial clusters like the Food Industries Cluster in Jeddah. Spanning 11 million square meters, it connects directly to Jeddah Islamic Port, offering top-notch infrastructure for local manufacturing and exports. Another initiative includes a dairy industrial cluster in Al-Kharj, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to a competitive global food industry.

The active partnerships with Vietnam come as Saudi Arabia's food sector continues rapid growth. The market was valued at SAR154 billion in 2019, projected to reach SAR214 billion by 2030. Through the National Industrial Strategy, Saudi Arabia seeks strategic investments to expand local production, ensure food security, and open wider horizons for sector growth.

With inputs from SPA