SFDA conference draws 200 companies, 20,000 visitors

The event, which ran from Sept. 30 until Oct. 2 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition center, attracted 20,000 visitors from 35 countries.
Updated 05 October 2019
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SFDA conference draws 200 companies, 20,000 visitors

The third Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2019 concluded recently. The event was held under the sponsorship of Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah and SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey. 

More than 200 companies and 80 international exhibitors representing a total of 3,500 brands participated in the exhibition. This included the participation of 20 countries and 220 investors from countries such as Denmark, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Bangladesh, Australia and Sudan.

The event, which ran from Sept. 30 until Oct. 2 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition center, attracted 20,000 visitors from 35 countries. 

The conference presented 68 scientific workshops in addition to discussion sessions, during which 120 speakers specializing in different disciplines participated.

Al-Jadhey said that the scientific program presented this year aims to activate the role of the consumer in protecting society, in line with the objectives of the SFDA.

Mazen Al-Ismail, chairman of the organizing committee, credited the partnership between the public and private sectors for the success of the event.

“What distinguishes this year’s conference from the previous years is the huge media coverage, which in turn contributes to its marketing globally, and in increasing the number of local and international participation,” he added.


Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Updated 04 February 2026
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Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.

The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.

The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.

The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.

Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”

The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.

“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”

The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.

Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.