Session 7: Perspectives from Government and Industry — Corporations

Speakers

Session Moderator

Dr. Paul Dalby, Director and Principal Consultant, In Fusion Consulting.

Panelists

Dr. Rashed Al-Arfaj, Vice President of Saudia Airlines Catering Company

Mr. Sadek Al-Ramadan, Chairman, Al-Yaseen Agriculture Company

Eng. Ahmad Alballaa, Managing Director, Naqua

Mr. Richard Salisbury, Executive Vice President of Quality, Regulatory, HSS & Sustainability

Key messages

1. Profitability of farmers is the biggest challenge for local food production in the KSA.

2. R&D work is challenging when the company is in operational mode 24/7.

3. A lack of a skilled technical workforce in the KSA is a challenge but also an opportunity.

4. Consumer behavior must change in order to make sustainable food products profitable.[1]

Recommendations

1. Incentivize more companies to implement sustainability programs by demonstrating its social as well as financial benefits.

2. Consider the effect of systemic changes in the agricultural sector (e.g., water regulations) on the profitability of farmers, and provide appropriate support.

3. Link corporations with universities to do the R&D work that can be brought to the market by the private sector.