RIYADH: The Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) is keen to set high standards for exhibitions and trade fairs in the Kingdom to realize Vision 2030 goals which aim to diversify the Kingdom’s economy. The SECB supervising committee approved the rules and procedures for organizing trade fairs in the Kingdom in a meeting presided over by Prince Sultan bin Salman, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) president and also the head of the supervising committee, a committee official said on Thursday. Commenting on the rules and procedures for organizing trade fairs, Tariq Al-Essa, executive director of the SECB, said the new rules and procedures for trade fairs were developed after exploration and review of international experiences by the SECB’s advisory group, which represents the private sector in the industry.
These rules are distinct and consistent with instructions from the Ministry of Interior, and regulations of the ministries of commerce and investment, labor and social development, culture and information, housing, and Saudi customs, he said. Furthermore, they include advanced professional and technical standards to ensure quality and better output, as well as equity and fair competition among investors in the organization of trade fairs, Al-Essa added.
Licensing procedures are conducted via www.secb.gov.sa because online licensing is now open throughout the year within a period of not less than 180 days before the date of holding the fairs, he said. International trade fairs are allowed in Makkah and Madinah from mid-Shaaban to mid-Zil-Hijja in areas outside the holy cities’ limits. Last year, the SECB signed an agreement with IMEX in Frankfurt, to participate in the annual event in Germany to attract international business events that will help promote the convention and exhibition sector in the Kingdom.
The Saudi pavilion at the recently concluded IMEX 2017 saw a large turnout of over 1,398 visitors representing international organizations, associations, trade unions, conference operators, media professionals and people interested in investments in the Kingdom. IMEX is one of the most important international fairs specialized in attracting international meetings, conferences and exhibitions that allow the marketing of suppliers’ services and highlights business tourism potentials for international destinations.
