The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) will lead a group of South African companies on an Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from November 10 to 12.
The initiative forms part of the implementation plan following the recent Joint Economic Commission between South Africa and Saudi Arabia, during which Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau presented to Saudi officials and businesses a list of South Africa’s leading potential export products and a portfolio of high-impact investment projects aligned with the country’s economic priorities.
The mission aims to facilitate access for South African value-added products and services into the Saudi Arabian market, build brand awareness for South African goods, and connect exporters with potential buyers and importers.
The participating companies are mainly in the agro-processing and health sectors.
According to the dtic, the Outward Selling Mission aligns with the department’s strategic objective of expanding South Africa’s industrial footprint and unlocking new market opportunities in the Middle East region. It also serves as a platform to promote value-added exports, strengthen industrial linkages, and position South African firms competitively within regional and global value chains.
Director of Export Promotion and Marketing at the dtic, Seema Sardha, emphasized the department’s strong commitment to supporting South African companies in expanding their global footprint.
“This mission represents a practical step in helping our exporters gain direct access to market insights, connect with potential buyers and understand the regulatory and logistical requirements for doing business in Saudi Arabia. Our focus is on providing hands-on support to participating companies, facilitating business-to-business engagements, guiding them through market entry processes and ensuring they are well-positioned to secure long-term partnerships.
We want South African businesses to not only enter these markets but to grow and compete effectively, increase value-added exports and create quality jobs at home through greater participation in global trade,” she said.
South Africa and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in May 1994, marking the start of a partnership that has steadily expanded over the past three decades. The two countries have since built a structured framework for cooperation through platforms such as the South Africa–Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission and the Joint Business Council, which serve to strengthen political, trade and investment ties.
In recent years, the relationship has evolved beyond traditional diplomacy into a broader economic partnership. South Africa’s exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at around USD392 million in 2024, consisting mainly of vehicles, machinery, and agricultural products, while imports from the Kingdom — dominated by mineral fuels and chemical products — totalled approximately USD2.47 billion.
Other imports from Saudi Arabia include mixed mineral or chemical fertilizers, plastics, and various chemicals, with smaller amounts of products like paper and measuring instruments.
Both governments have identified priority sectors for collaboration, including agriculture, energy, mining, healthcare and infrastructure development.
This cooperation is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan and South Africa’s industrialisation and value-added export strategy. As trade missions such as the upcoming Outward Selling Mission take place, officials from both sides see growing opportunities to deepen bilateral ties and position their economies for shared growth within the evolving global market.
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