Webinar

Food opportunities + challenges in the GCC - focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE

food saudi arabia
09Sep 2026
10:30-11:30

Join S-GE for a webinar on the food and beverage market in the GCC, with a focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The GCC food market is growing, but the current situation in the region adds a layer of complexity that is hard to ignore. Supply chains are under pressure. Shipping disruptions are taking longer to resolve than expected, and for companies exporting food products, this has very concrete consequences on lead times and planning.

Meanwhile, the region is adapting. More and more local manufacturing is taking place, partly out of necessity, and retailers are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on imports. This opens up opportunities not only for finished food products, but also for ingredients, a side of the market that is often overlooked.

There is also a growing appetite for healthy food products. Consumers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly conscious of their dietary choices. Clean labels, natural ingredients and nutritional quality are becoming real purchasing factors, not just trends. For Swiss companies in this space, this is a market worth watching closely.

On top of that, regulations across the GCC are evolving. The UAE, for example, has recently updated its shelf-life labelling requirements. Keeping track of these changes is just as important as finding the right distributor.

This webinar is a good opportunity to get a clear and up-to-date picture of what the market looks like today and what it takes to enter or develop your business in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

 

Why participate?

For Swiss companies already active in the region, as well as those considering market entry, understanding these changes is becoming increasingly important. This webinar will provide practical insights into the realities of doing business in Saudi Arabia and the UAE today.

Register now to secure your spot and receive the webinar link.

Event information

Date
09 Sep 2026, 10:30 - 11:30
Registration deadline
09 Sep 2026 10:30
Event languages
English
Organizer
Switzerland Global Enterprise + Swiss Business Hub Middle East
Target audience
Swiss producers, brands and suppliers in food + beverage, ingredients and processing/Packaging, cold chain, logistics and enabling solution providers/FoodTech companies targeting the GCC ecosystem
Speakers
  • SGS – Ms. Vrinda S Nair, Manager - Regional Certification Centre 
  • Ability – Mr.Souheil Assaker, Managing Director

Agenda

  • Program details
  • Welcome

    Opening and introductions

  • Regulatory aspects

    What has changed at GCC level, key requirements and common pitfalls (incl. labelling and Halal certification)

  • Logistic aspects

    The current situation, its impact on food exports and how to adapt

  • Opportunities

    Market demand in Saudi Arabia and the UAE: finished products and ingredients

  • Success Story

    A Swiss company shares its experience launching in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

  • Questions and answers

    Open discussion: your questions on your product, your market or your entry plans

Key takeaways

  • A clearer understanding of the current logistics challenges and how to plan around them
  • An overview of the latest regulatory changes at GCC level and what they mean in practice (SGS as expert covering both Saudi Arabia and UAE)
  • A look at where the demand is both for finished food products and for ingredients
  • Market insights on Saudi Arabia and the UAE from people working on the ground
  • A concrete example of how a Swiss company successfully entered both markets 

Bastien Bovy

Consultant Middle East + Africa

Renens, Switzerland

bbovy@s-ge.com

+41 21 545 94 99

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