Hulaiga said "This will definitely help Saudi exports." "The goal is to diversify the country's economic resources by promoting non-oil exports. This has been the aim of the latest development plans and we have seen a 10 percent increase in non-oil exports during the past few years," Bu-Hulaiga told Arab News. "Our current exports of petrochemicals, food products, plastic and others have earned a good reputation in the countries they are being exported to," Bu-Hulaiga said. Even though many of the industries and products are oil-based, Bu-Hulaiga pointed out that this is our competitive advantage and we have been able to expand in other industries such as the refining industries in Saudi Aramco, for example. "This program is necessary to bolster our competitive ability abroad and with the approaching date of joining the World Trade Organization it will improve and support our products' competitiveness," he explained. In addition, he said that this expansion in industries will create more job opportunities and this would need human resources, better administrative skills and methods. "I think the private sector would benefit a lot from the program and the private sector is always seeking to increase its exports. What the fund and the program can do is not only provide financing but also provide what is called 'soft infrastructure' such as information and easier procedures," he said. He suggested that the program could be transformed into an independent authority to provide complete services and support, financial and otherwise. "Saudi exporters might be small now, but by increasing their awareness of how to reach markets and produce quality products they can develop and compete, and this would need a competent administrative crew," he said.
