Saudi Arabia to launch programme promoting local products on March 28

Made in Saudi will help create a 'unified brand identity to promote Saudi products and services' in both local and global markets

Saudi Arabia is aiming to create a clear identity through its Saudi Made brand to market its produce nationally and globally. Bloomberg

Saudi Export Development Authority said Made in Saudi, a programme that aims to encourage use of local products, will launch on March 28.

The initiative will be rolled out online by Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, according to a statement on the official news agency, SPA.

Made in Saudi will help create "a unified brand identity to promote Saudi products and services within the local and global markets identified as priority to the kingdom", the statement added.

The programme is a central plank of the kingdom's Vision 2030 road map that aims to diversify its economy and cut its reliance on oil revenues.

Initiatives such as Made in Saudi could also help to boost the contribution of non-oil exports to 50 per cent by 2030, the SPA said. 

Gulf countries are increasingly ramping up production to generate more economic value locally following the coronavirus pandemic. Many countries are prioritising self-sufficiency after measures to stem the pandemic disrupted trade and supply chains.

Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi unveiled a new initiative to promote locally made products in an effort to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of basic goods and to support local businesses.

The campaign, called Made in Abu Dhabi, has an Instagram page that allows local businesses to display their products, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added).

The campaign "aims to enhance the reputation of national products within the local market, followed by regional and global markets”, Mohammed Al Shorafa, chairman of Added, said.

The move is part of Abu Dhabi's efforts to support local manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises, to expand their business.