MOU with SAUDI EXPORTS will spur alternative dispute resolution in the export sector

Published Date: 02/09/2021

The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Export Development Authority (SAUDI EXPORTS) to coordinate cooperation and enhance communication between the two organizations in activating alternative dispute resolution in the Saudi export sector. Through the Made in Saudi program, the export sector will be able to benefit from the SCCA’s expertise in overcoming the challenges exporters face related to export disputes.

The two organizations signed the agreement at SAUDI EXPORTS headquarters on Thursday, 2 September 2011. It was signed on behalf of SCCA by CEO Dr. Hamed Bin Hassan Merah, and on behalf of SAUDI EXPORTS by Secretary General Faisal Bin Saad Al-Bedah.

Made in Saudi is a National Industrial Development and Logistics Program initiative implemented by the SAUDI EXPORTS. It aims to support Saudi companies and accelerate their growth by encouraging local consumers to buy more Saudi products and incentivizing Saudi companies to export to priority markets.

The MOU provides for SCCA to collaborate with SAUDI EXPORTS in various ways, notably by supporting Made in Saudi to enhance the attractiveness of the Saudi industrial sector by providing ADR services tailored to the export sector and encouraging companies that join the program to incorporate a model ADR clause in their contracts. SCCA will provide SAUDI EXPORTS the necessary technical support to that end.

The MOU also lays the groundwork to raise awareness and develop arbitration- and mediation-related capabilities in the export sector. This includes cultivating the skills of arbitrators, mediators, and experts, and enhancing the capacities of lawyers, legal counsels, and contract officers to draft model ADR clauses and argue before arbitral tribunals.

This MOU furthers the SCCA efforts to facilitate business and empower investment in Saudi Arabia by establishing institutional arbitration practices in the Saudi export sector. That will then stimulate growth in the industrial sector and achieve the strategic objectives of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, a Vision 2030 program.