Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Friday, 20 February 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), successfully conducted an informative webinar on the registration procedures and regulatory requirements for exporting products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with the participation of over 90 Sri Lankan export companies.
The webinar was organised as a timely follow-up to the discussions held during Foodex Saudi 2025, with the objective of addressing regulatory challenges faced by Sri Lankan exporters and providing practical guidance on compliance with SFDA requirements.
The session focused on the regulatory framework and company registration procedures applicable to a wide range of product categories, including; Poultry and meat products, Fisheries products, Processed foods, frozen fruits and vegetables, Beverages, including fruit juices and king coconut water, Herbal products such as herbal cosmetics, herbal beverages, and herbal medicinal products.
The webinar commenced with opening remarks from SFDA representatives, followed by remarks from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia and the Chairman/CEO of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. The Chairman highlighted the growing trade relations between the two countries, noting that Saudi Arabia ranked as the 23rd export destination for Sri Lanka in 2025, with export earnings reaching $ 137.85 million, marking the highest level recorded in recent years and an increase of 13.3% compared to 2024.
Officials from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) served as resource persons for the session, delivering presentations and clarifying technical procedures related to product registration, facility approval, inspection processes, and clearance operations.
The SFDA officials who led the presentations included: SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, Executive Director of International Cooperation Khalid Almesfair, Investment Department Faris M. Abdullah, Head of Food Products Specifications Section Abdulaziz Al Rabeah, Head of Food Products Registration Section Abdullah AlMulhim, Senior Products and Facilities Inspection Expert Fahad Alazmi, Senior Clearance Operations Support Expert Abdulaziz AlTuraifi, Senior Product Registration Support Expert Abdulmalik Bin Saeed, Senior Products and Facilities Inspection Expert Mohammed Al-Harthi, and Senior Registration and Licensing Expert Ali Aljumayd.
The event also saw the participation of officials from the Department of Fisheries, Department of Animal Health, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka, demonstrating strong institutional support to facilitate smoother market access for Sri Lankan exporters.
Following the technical presentations by SFDA officials, an interactive Q&A session allowed participants to raise specific concerns and receive direct guidance from the experts. The high level of engagement reflected the strong interest of exporters in complying with Saudi regulations and expanding their presence in the KSA market.
This initiative marks another significant step in strengthening bilateral trade cooperation and supporting Sri Lankan exporters in navigating regulatory frameworks, thereby enhancing their ability to access and sustain exports to the KSA.
