How Austrade can help in Saudi Arabia
Our office is set up to provide services to both Australian and local companies which are interested in developing the following trade and investment relationships:
- The direct export of merchandise goods and services from Australian to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen.
- The setting up of agency representation or appointment of distributors by Australian companies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen.
- Two-way foreign direct investment (FDI), including the establishment of joint ventures.
We do not provide services for companies who are interested only in exporting to Australia. Please refer to 'Exporting to Australia' below.
Listed below are the staffing details of Austrade in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait showing specific responsibilities:
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Michael Kavanagh
Senior Trade Commissioner and Commercial (Counselor)
Leads Austrade's team of export and investment facilitation staff. Based in Riyadh, he has responsibility for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 150
Email: Michael.Kavanagh@austrade.gov.au
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Ismail Farag
Business Development Manager
Responsible for Health and Medical, Education, Gourmet & Processed Food and Consumer Goods.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 158
Email: ismail.farag@austrade.gov.au
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Kumar Sreekumar
Customer Service Manager/Office Manager
General enquiries on supply capability from Australia.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 157
Email: kumar.sreekumar@austrade.gov.au
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Mohammed Kamal
Business Development Manager
Responsible for Agribusiness, Automotive, non-processed Food, and Business and Finance.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 159
Email: Mohammed.Kamal@austrade.gov.au
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Mohammed Kidwani
Business Development and Marketing Officer
Responsible for Water and Power, Sports and Recreation, Tourism and Defence.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 153
Email: Mohammed.Kidwani@austrade.gov.au |
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Reem Abudaff
Marketing Support and Research Officer
Responsible for Fashion, Cosmetics, Jewellery and Art.
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 151
Email: reem.abudaff@austrade.gov.au |
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Loui Sebastian
Client Service Officer
Tel: +966 1 488 7788 Ext 156
Email: loui.sebastian@austrade.gov.au
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Andre Barbour
Business Development Manager, based in Jeddah
Responsible for Transportation, Oil & Gas, Construction, Mining and ICT
Tel: +966 2 652 8540
Fax: +966 2 652 8560
Email: andre.barbour@austrade.gov.au
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Office location and business hours
Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic Quarter
PO Box 94400
Riyadh 11693
Tel: +966 1 488 7788
Fax: +966 1 488 7458
Email: riyadh@austrade.gov.au
(also covers Bahrain and Kuwait and Arab Republic of Yemen)
PO Box 122390
Jeddah 21332
Tel: +966 2 652 8540
Fax: +966 2 652 8560
Public holidays and weekends
Our office is closed on Thursday and Friday for our weekend. This is the official weekend observed by Saudi Government. Many private companies also work half-day on Thursday.
The weekend in Bahrain and Kuwait is Friday and Saturday.
Saudi Arabia public holidays
2009
21 September - Eid al-Fitr/ Djoulde Soumae (Ramadan ends)
23 September - Saudi National Day
28 November - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. During Hajj (when pilgrims visit Mecca) all government establishments and some businesses will be closed for 10 to 14 days.
Australian Embassy/Austrade’s public holidays (in lieu of the above)
2009
3 January - New Year (in lieu)
11 April - Easter Saturday
12 April - Easter Sunday
10 June - Queen's Birthday (in lieu)
20-22 September - Eid Al Fitr
23 September - Saudi National Day
28-30 November - Eid Al Adha
26 December - Boxing Day
27 December - Christmas Day (in lieu)
30 December - APS Holiday
Bahrain public holidays
2009
1 January - New Year’s Day
7 January - Ashura
20 January - Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year)
9 March - Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
21 Sepember - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
28 November - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
16 December - National Day (two days)
Kuwait public holidays
2009
1 January - New Year's Day
7 January - Hejira New Year (Islamic New Year)
25 February - National Day
26 February - Liberation Day
9 March - Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
20 July - Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
21 September - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
28 November - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Australian Embassy (in lieu of the above)
2009
1 January - New Year's Day
25 February - Kuwait Independence Day
26 February - Kuwait Liberation Day
12 April - Easter Sunday
13 April - Easter Monday
7 June - Queen's Birthday (in lieu)
19 July - Prophet’s Ascension
20-21 September - Eid Al-Fitr
4 October - Labour Day
29-30 November - Eid Al-Adha
24 December - Christmas Day (in lieu)
27 December - Boxing Day (in lieu)
Yemen public holidays
2009
1 January - New Year’s Day
20 January - Muharram (Islamic New Year)
9 March - Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
1 May - Labour Day
22 May - National Unity Day
26 Sepember - Revolution Day
21 Sepember - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
14 October - National Day
30 November - Independence Day
28 November - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Australian Embassy
Abdullah Bin Hozafa Al-Sahmi Avenue
Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh 11693
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 1 488 7788
Fax: +966 1 488 7973
The Australian Embassy in Riyadh is accredited to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. It comprises representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Defence, and Austrade.
Exporting to Australia
We do not provide services to Saudi Arabian, Kuwaiti, Bahraini and Yemeni companies which are interested only in exporting their merchandise products and services to Australia. We recommend that you contact the following organisation who will be able to assist you:
Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry
PO Box 6005
Kingston ACT 2604
Australia
Tel: +61 2 6270 8037
Fax: +61 2 6273 3196
Email: ed@austarab.com.au
Contact: Mr Robert Newton - Executive Director
If you experience any problems in making contact or dealing with the above organisations then please contact us at riyadh@austrade.gov.au
The following organisations and their websites may also be useful for Saudi Arabian, Kuwaiti, Bahraini and Yemeni exporting companies:
Australian Customs Services
NSW Head Office
477 Pitt St
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9213 2000
Email: information@customs.gov.au
The Australian Customs Services is the only organisation authorised to handle any enquiries relating to the level of import duties applicable on export of merchandise goods to Australia.
Standards Australia
GPO Box 5420
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia
Tel: +61 2 8206 6000
Fax: +61 2 8206 6001
Email: mail@standards.com.au
Standards Australia is the Australian Government endorsed peak standards development body in Australia.
Business, legal and accounting services
The following useful contacts are provided on the basis of our knowledge of their experience with business development between Saudi, Bahraini, Kuwaiti and Australian companies. Normal commercial procedures should be adopted for engaging their services.
Banks
In Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Hollandi Bank
PO Box 1467
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 11431
Tel: +966 1 401 0288
Fax: +966 1 405 4797
SABB
PO Box 9084
Riyadh 11413
Tel: +966 1 405 0677
Fax: +966 1) 405 0660
In Bahrain:
HSBC Bank, Middle East
Khalifa Road
Manama
Tel: +973) 1722 2112
Fax: +973 1722 6822
Standard Chartered Bank
PO Box 29
Manama
Tel: +973 1722 3636
Fax: +973 1722 5001
In Kuwait:
National Bank of Kuwait
PO Box 95
Safat 13001
Tel: +965 242 2011
Fax: +965 243 1888
Email: webmaster@nbk.com
Gulf Bank
PO Box 3200
Safat 13022
Tel: +965 244 9501 (20 lines)
Fax: +965 244 6126 or 244 5212
Email: customerservices@gulfbank.com.kw
Lawyers
In Saudi Arabia:
Kadasah Law Firms
(in cooperation with Bryan Cave LLP)
PO Box 20883
Riyadh 11484
Tel: +966 1 474 0888
Fax: +966 1 476 2881
Law Firm of Mohammed Al Sharif
(in Association with Johnson & Pump)
PO Box 9170
Riyadh 11423
Tel: +966 1 462 5925
Fax: +966 1 464 4898
In Bahrain:
Hassan Radhi & Associates
PO Box 5366
6th Floor, Diplomat Tower
Manama
Tel: +973 1753 5252
Fax: +973 1753 3358
Email: radihilaw@batelco.com.bh
Baker & McKenzie
PO Box 11981
6th floor, Al Salam Tower
Manama
Tel: +973 1753 8800
Fax: +973 1753 3379
In Kuwait:
Al Sarraf & Al Ruwayeh
Tel: +965 240 0061
Fax: +965 240 0064
Email: asar@asarlegal.com
Al Saleh and Partners
Tel: +965 246 7670
Fax: +965 243 1039
Email: asap@alsalehandpartners.com
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