The General Authority of Foreign Trade, represented by the International Relations Deputyship, held a virtual workshop on Sunday 19 July 2026, titled “Launch of Direct Air Cargo Services Between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Australia.” The workshop aimed to introduce the direct air cargo services between the two countries, provided by Saudia Cargo, and was attended by more than 60 representatives from the private sector.

The workshop introduced GAFT and highlighted its role in establishing and overseeing 22 commercial attachés and trade offices around the world, as well as its supervision of the Saudi-Foreign Joint Business Councils. It also reviewed the flight schedule, freight rates, and the incentives available to support and expand bilateral trade, while facilitating private sector access to the business opportunities and enablers available in both markets.

GAFT encouraged businesses to benefit from the incentives and opportunities offered through the new service in collaboration with Saudia Cargo, which has introduced competitive freight rates to strengthen the access of Saudi exports to the Australian market. The service also provides fast and reliable logistics solutions to ensure the timely delivery of Saudi exports, with operations scheduled to commence on 24 July.

H.E. Mansour Al-Huwaity, Saudi Commercial Attachés in Sydney, emphasized the Commercial Attachés role in supporting Saudi exporters and addressing the challenges they face in accessing the Australian market. He also encouraged businesses interested in the Australian market to take advantage of the services provided by the Saudi Commercial Attachés in Australia.

For his part, Dr. Jaber Al-Fahad, Chairman of the Saudi-Australian Business Council, highlighted the importance of launching the new service in strengthening and expanding bilateral trade and opening new avenues for commercial cooperation between the two countries. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting the success of the initiative by connecting Saudi companies with their Australian counterparts and helping overcome the challenges facing the Saudi private sector in Australia. 

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Saudi Export Development Authority, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Saudia Cargo, and the Saudi-Australian Business Council.

Trade exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Australia recorded an annual growth of 15% in 2025, reaching approximately USD 2 billion. Saudi Arabia’s principal exports included fertilizers and organic chemicals, while the Kingdom’s main imports from Australia comprised meat and edible offal and cereals.

GAFT is responsible for developing and implementing the Kingdom’s foreign trade policies to enable Saudi exports to access international markets, open new export opportunities, and remove external trade barriers. Through these efforts, the Authority seeks to maximize the Kingdom’s international trade gains, safeguard its trade interests, and contribute to the growth of the national economy.