Abdulrahman Al-Sarani: International Trade Opportunities under Saudi Vision 2030
International trade is no longer an optional extra for Saudi companies, but has become a primary path for growth, expansion, and building globally competitive brands.
From my perspective as a Saudi entrepreneur and founder of S&R Express and Avanti Perfumes , Saudi Vision 2030 has not only opened markets to Saudi products, but has also reshaped the concept of the Saudi trader; from a trader focused on the local market to a business owner who thinks from the outset about exporting and reaching customers around the world.
Saudi Vision 2030 and the shift towards a global economy
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, develop non-oil exports, empower the private sector, and cultivate promising local companies to become regional and global leaders. It also aims to increase the contribution of non-oil exports to 50% of non-oil GDP and improve the Kingdom’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index.
This trend means that the opportunity is no longer limited to large industrial companies, but is also available to small and medium enterprises, online stores and local brands.
Growth of Saudi non-oil exports
The figures reflect a genuine development in Saudi trade; non-oil exports, including re-exports, rose by 17.8% during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year. They also recorded growth of 19.4% during the third quarter of the same year.
These indicators show that Saudi products have become more accessible to foreign markets, and that the Kingdom’s economic and logistical infrastructure is developing to support this expansion.
Key international trade opportunities for Saudi companies
There is a growing demand in international markets for products bearing a Saudi or Arab identity, most notably:
- Perfumes and incense.
- Saudi dates and coffee.
- Fashion and abayas.
- Food products.
- Personal care and beauty products.
- Handicraft and heritage products.
But the success of a product globally does not depend solely on its quality; it also requires professional packaging, thoughtful pricing, reliable shipping, and compliance with the requirements of the importing country.
Online stores have become able to reach customers in Europe, America and Asia without the need to open physical branches in each market.
Monshaat supports the transformation of businesses from traditional to e-commerce through programs that include payment solutions, digital marketing, modern technologies and store development.
However, international sales require a seamless customer experience from the moment they enter the store until they receive their order, including:
- Display prices in the appropriate currency.
- Please specify the delivery time.
- Determining fees and taxes.
- Providing a tracking service.
- Having a clear exchange and return policy.
- Customer support in the appropriate language.
3. Logistics and International Shipping
Business expansion cannot succeed without a strong logistics sector. This is why logistics has become one of the most important investment opportunities in the Kingdom, particularly in the following areas:
- Air and sea freight.
- Storage and order fulfillment.
- Assembly and repacking.
- customs clearance.
- Door-to-door delivery.
- Supply chain management.
- Specialized shipping of dangerous goods.
During 2024, Saudi customs ports completed procedures for more than 6.2 million customs declarations for imports and exports, in addition to processing millions of containers and vehicles across various ports, reflecting the scale of commercial and logistical activity in the Kingdom.
4. Re-exporting and market linking
The Kingdom's geographical location gives it a significant advantage in connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.
This creates opportunities in:
- Importing and assembling products within the Kingdom.
- Repackaging and preparing it.
- Re-exporting them to neighboring markets.
- Establishing regional distribution centers.
- Providing storage and execution services to foreign companies.
The value of re-exported goods increased by 46.2% during the second quarter of 2025, confirming the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional hub for trade and logistics.
5. Supporting exporters and small businesses
Saudi government agencies offer programs and incentives to improve the export environment and help companies access international markets.
The Saudi Export Development Authority is working to increase non-oil exports, improve the efficiency of the export environment, provide programs and incentives for exporters, and promote Saudi products globally.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has also developed the Saudi Authorized Economic Operator program in cooperation with multiple government agencies, with the aim of providing additional benefits and facilities to importers and exporters and enhancing the security of supply chains.
What challenges does the Saudi trader face?
Despite the opportunities, international expansion requires genuine preparation. Among the most significant challenges are:
- The differences in systems between countries.
- Customs and import requirements.
- Calculating taxes and fees.
- Preparing commercial invoices and packing lists.
- Select the correct customs code.
- Protecting products from damage.
- International Returns Management.
- Handling products that are restricted or classified as dangerous goods.
- Choosing a logistics partner capable of managing the entire trip.
Therefore, the project owner should not start shipping before studying the market, the product, the requirements of the target country, and the final cost to the customer's door.
Saudi perfumes are a promising model for global expansion.
I believe that Saudi perfumes are among the most globally expandable products, due to their connection to Arab identity, the diversity of their scents, and the high demand for them in European and American markets.
However, shipping perfumes differs from shipping traditional products, as many contain alcohol and are subject to special transport requirements. Therefore, the merchant needs a specialized company for:
- Shipment classification.
- Secure packaging.
- Preparing the documents.
- Choosing the right transport company.
- customs clearance.
- Payment of fees and taxes when providing DDP service.
- Final delivery and shipment tracking.
S&R Express's role in supporting international trade
S&R Express was founded based on real experience in e-commerce and perfumery, and on the need for clearer and more professional international shipping solutions for traders and brands.
Our vision is to provide integrated solutions that include:
- International air freight.
- Sea freight.
- Shipping perfumes and hazardous goods.
- customs clearance.
- Import and export.
- Assembly and repacking.
- Storage and order fulfillment.
- Door-to-door delivery.
- Connecting online stores with shipping and tracking solutions.
Our goal is not just to transport goods, but to help the trader enter the global market with confidence and reduce the operational complexities that may hinder their growth.
How does a Saudi entrepreneur start international trade?
The right start involves five steps:
- Choosing a product that has genuine demand in the target market.
- Studying competitors, prices, and import requirements.
- Professional preparation of ID, packaging, and documents.
- Calculate the final cost, including shipping, customs, and taxes.
- Contracting with a logistics partner that specializes in the market and product.
International expansion does not begin with sending the first carton, but rather with building an operational model that can be replicated and grown from.
My vision for the future of Saudi trade
I believe that the coming years will witness the emergence of more prominent Saudi brands in global markets, especially with the growth of e-commerce, the development of logistics services, and the expansion of exporter support programs.
The opportunity today is not only in selling a Saudi product outside the Kingdom, but in building Saudi companies that manage international operations and provide services and products with global standards.
From Medina to the various markets of the world, my message remains:
Non-oil exports, a Saudi entrepreneur, S&R Express, international shipping, logistics, e-commerce from Saudi Arabia to the whole world. We transport ambition before we transport goods.
Saudi entrepreneur, S&R Express, international shipping, logistics, e-commerce