Saudi Arabia is fast becoming the next global economy in the Middle East. The “Saudi Vision 2030” is a once-in-a-generation strategy launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that sets ambitious targets for the country to reach new heights in business, foreign trade, and infrastructure.

The Big 5 Construct Saudi is a platform for aspiring service providers and technology innovators from around the world to showcase their services and exports, and connect with potential customers on a global scale.
Based in Riyadh, the exhibition is expected to bring in 75,000 participants. The event presents opportunities for expansion in the Kingdom.

The Big 5 Construct Saudi runs from February 15 to February 27, 2025.  As part of the NSW Government’s global partnership in the region, Investment NSW will support selected NSW-based businesses, innovators and service providers, with a presence on Investment NSW’s stand at the Big 5 Construct Saudi, as well as provide printed and digital promotion in Investment NSW’s Exhibitor Directory, in-market support from Investment NSW’s Trade and Investment Commissioner (Middle East), and tailored advice from a dedicated Investment NSW Export Advisor.

Moin Anwar, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Investment NSW in the Middle East, said that service providers and innovators, in particular, should look to the upcoming exposition in February 2025 to gauge the global market and gain a deeper understanding of their potential customers.

“(Businesses) should take advantage of the opportunities in the Kingdom,” Anwar said.

“Expressions of interest for the Construct Saudi expo are open. If selected, businesses will have their stand paid for by the NSW government.…

Given the scale of opportunity, you are pretty much looking at Saudi Arabia as the best market,” Anwar said.

Atif Alothri, Consul of the Commercial Division at the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Australia, described the extent of the investment efforts and infrastructure projects happening in the region, particularly the world-class Red Sea Global tourism project and NEOM, the world’s next futuristic and sustainable global city.

“There is a uniqueness about Saudi Arabia. The government is investing more in local housing and infrastructure developments as it sets its sights on its target of 70% home ownership for Saudi Arabians and housing for key occupations such as engineers, doctors, and teachers.

We have the University of Wollongong expanding into Saudi Arabia to make it easier for students to study and find work,” Alothri said.

Alex Soukie, General Manager of Purple Cow Industries, is one of several Australian-based businesses that have taken the leap into the Saudi Arabian market without hesitation.

“The Australian market isn’t too good. We have a developer or builder going bust every week. There is opportunity in Saudi,” Soukie said.

He remarked on the hospitable nature of the people in Saudi Arabia and their openness to supporting foreign business ventures who had their value proposition right for global customers.

“Within the first two weeks I had a dinner booked with my first investor. This introduction was facilitated by Trademark and helped me to identify my business sponsors.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Australian Embassy. It was a big achievement for the team.”

George Guse is an Australian-based entrepreneur with over nine businesses in the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets. George hails from a Polish-Australian background. He has found the Saudi Arabian market to be a huge opportunity for manufacturers and sustainable energy providers. He points out that the competitive edge for Australian-based businesses is the quality they could bring to the Saudi market.

“The (Australian) market is insular in that you don’t get many overseas companies. In Saudi you are competing with the world. So, you need to be cheaper or better than the rest of the world. You have to be twice as good,” Guse said.

Ben Atkin, Director of TBH Consultancy, an Australian-based business that specialises in project management and consultancy, shares this view. Ben explains that one of the biggest challenges he faces as TBH continues its expansion in Saudi Arabia is finding quality people to support expansion.

“We invest heavily in training, especially for new graduates. We work very closely with universities here in Australia and also in the region to ensure that they know there is a place for them to work, should they decide to live and work in Saudi,” Atkin said.

Iftikhar Ranan, an Australian-Pakistani Financial Planner and Business Executive, is looking to explore opportunities that capitalise on the growing lending market in Saudi.

“The reasons I am looking to explore a move to Saudi is to take advantage of the bigger market. I want to grow my financial planning business and also consider property management to meets the growing demand for housing.”

Fayek Azer, an Egyptian-Australian Engineer and Business Executive, explains that moving to Saudi Arabia is one of the best decisions a person can make. After 25 years working in Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Europe, he is considering moving back to Saudi Arabia for its economic and social opportunities.
“I was a part of the family in Saudi. It was like a family – they didn’t want me to leave. I would love to have a presence in Saudi, especially in Tabuk as there is huge expansion,” Azer said.

Applications to join Investment NSW in Riyadh are now open. Eligible NSW businesses, innovators, and service providers should submit their applications to Investment NSW before December 9, 2024.

Visit the Investment NSW webpage to find out more at https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/going-global-export-program/construction-and-infrastructure-to-saudi-arabia/.