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In this page: FDI in Figures | What to consider if you invest in Saudi Arabia | Protection of Foreign Investment | Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment | Office Real Estate and Land Ownership | Investment Aid | Investment Opportunities | Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer | Finding Assistance For Further Information

 

FDI in Figures

According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2024, FDI inflows to Saudi Arabia stood at USD 12.3 billion in 2022, down from USD 28 billion one year earlier (-56%); whereas the total stock of FDI reached USD 215.5 billion. At the end of 2023, manufacturing industries held the largest share of Saudi Arabia's foreign direct investment stock at SAR 259 billion (29%). Wholesale and retail trade, along with motor vehicle and motorcycle repairs, followed with SAR 135 billion (15%). Financial and insurance activities ranked third with SAR 112 billion (12%). In terms of countries, the UAE held the largest foreign direct investment stock in Saudi Arabia at SAR 152 billion, followed by Luxembourg with SAR 102 billion and France with SAR 65 billion (data General Authority for Statistics). In the first three quarters of 2024, FDI inflows to the kingdom reached SAR 54.3 billion.

The country has pushed to increase FDI in recent years as part of the “Vision 2030” plan to end reliance on fossil fuels, and it is aiming for USD 100 billion in annual FDI by 2030. Moreover, Saudi Arabia adopted seven “Guiding Principles for Investment Policymaking”, including non-discrimination, investment protection, investment sustainability, enhanced transparency, protection of public policy concerns, ease of entry for employees, and the transfer of knowledge and technology; and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority was upgraded, becoming the Ministry of Investment. Recently, Saudi Arabia also launched a SEZ program that focuses on non-traditional industries, which include cloud computing, tourism, renewable energy, and logistics. Among new investment incentives, Saudi Arabia introduced a Special Integrated Logistics Zone, which offers a 50-year tax exemption for investors, including those with full foreign ownership rights. Moreover, investors benefit from VAT advantages for servicing and assembly operations within the zone. Furthermore, the country established the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, which will collaborate with the Ministry of Investment to gather opinions and prepare proposals for laws, procedures and manuals. Political and social tensions, reduced access to credit and the policy of “Saudization”, which favours the domestic labour force, have all been obstacles to FDI. Nonetheless, the government has invested heavily in national infrastructure to attract investment, and FDI is seen as one of the most effective ways to diversify the economy and provide employment for younger generations. The government opened the retail and wholesale sectors to 100% foreign ownership and has launched a large privatization programme. On 11 August 2024, Saudi Arabia introduced an Updated Investment Law, replacing the 2000 Foreign Investment Law, effective 180 days after publication. The new law ensures equal treatment for local and foreign investors under similar conditions and offers protection against expropriation, except by judicial ruling, legal procedures, and fair compensation. Foreign investors no longer need a license but must register with the Ministry before investing, following the regulations. For activities listed as excluded, approval from the Ministry is required. The law also allows the competent authority to grant investment incentives based on eligibility criteria. Finally, Saudi Arabia ranks 47th among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2024 and 69th out of 184 countries on the latest Index of Economic Freedom.

 
Foreign Direct Investment 202020212022
FDI Inward Flow (million USD) 5,39919,2867,886
FDI Stock (million USD) 241,775261,061268,947
Number of Greenfield Investments* 90150239
Value of Greenfield Investments (million USD) 9,4318,95813,473

Source: UNCTAD, Latest data available.

Note: * Greenfield Investments are a form of Foreign Direct Investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up.

 

FDI STOCKS BY COUNTRY AND INDUSTRY

Main Investing Countries 2022, in %
UAE 13.7
Luxembourg 13.5
USA 10.0
Kuwait 8.6
Netherlands 7.9
UK 7.8
Bahrain 4.4
Jordan 3.7
Japan 3.3
France 3.0
China 2.7
Main Invested Sectors 2022, in %
Manufacturing 31.3
Transportation and storage 14.8
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 12.8
Financial and Insurance 11.4
Real Estate 8.0
Construction 5.9
Information and Communication 3.3
Mining and Quarrying 3.1
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supplies 2.3

Source: Saudi Ministry of Investment, Latest data available.

 
Form of Company Preferred By Foreign Investors
Joint stock companies and limited liability partnerships are the only companies available to foreign investors. However, it is possible to establish a branch of a foreign company in Saudi Arabia, which may be owned by a single foreign entity except individuals.
Form of Establishment Preferred By Foreign Investors
Joint stock companies and limited liability partnerships are preferred because a foreigner is not allowed to conduct business in Saudi Arabia as a sole proprietor, unless the individual is operating a branch of a foreign company.
Main Foreign Companies
Invest Saudi affirm that more than 1,100 licenses for foreign investors were issued in 2019 – 54% more than in 2018 and three times as many as in 2017.
Pan-Asia, EDS Renewables, WngFu, McDermott, GlaxoSmithKline, Unibio are some of the major investor that choose to signed a deal with Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in 2019.
Sources of Statistics
General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT)

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What to consider if you invest in Saudi Arabia

Strong Points

Once Saudi Arabia became a member of the WTO in 2005, the foreign investment climate in the Kingdom substantially improved. From an investor's point of view, the country's strong points are:

  • Economic stability
  • Largest world oil reserves, important position in OPEC
  • A large local market with a high spending power (and a population of over 35 million)
  • A strategy of economic diversification (with the program Saudi Vision 2030)
  • Sound infrastructure
  • Consolidated finances
  • Well-regulated banking system
Weak Points

While the country has undertaken reforms to encourage foreign investment, the legal framework in resolving commercial disputes is considered by some to be inadequate. There is a lack of transparency in applying intellectual property legislation, and the Government imposes quotas of Saudi employees in companies. Cases of delayed payment of some government contracts have been reported. The traditionally conservative cultural environment, including the enforced segregation of the sexes in most businesses and social settings, may discourage certain investors who are not accustomed to such practises.

Other weak points are:

  • High dependence on hydrocarbons sector
  • High unemployment rate among natives, and under-employment of women
  • Economy is dependant on public spending
  • Weak political governance
  • Weak economic transparency
  • Deteriorated regional geopolitical environment.
Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI
According to the law on foreign direct investment, being licensed to operate in Saudi Arabia as a foreign investor is necessary to obtain any permit to start operations. In 2018, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved full foreign investments in the transport, recruitment, audio visual and real estate sectors. Foreign direct investments (FDI) can be made in Saudi Arabia in all business activities that are not restricted to those which must be exclusively undertaken by Gulf Cooperation Council nationals or companies owned by them, the negative list (oil and mining sector, some services, etc.). Foreign investors are no longer required to have local partners in a number of sectors and may own property for company activities. They are allowed to repatriate their company money and can sponsor foreign employees, subject to certain criteria in accordance with the Nitaqat (Saudisation) programme. In 2016, Saudi Arabia authorised the acquisition of 100% of assets by foreign investors in retail and wholesale trade. A privatisation program has also been launched. The government also tries to attract FDI in the sectors of renewable energy and entertainment.

In order to facilitate investments in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Investment has set up an Investment Services Centre (ISC). The ISC must decide to grant or refuse a license within 30 days of receiving an application from an investor. The Saudi Centre for commercial arbitration has also been created, which assures foreign investors an inexpensive fee in case of commercial arbitration.  

The Saudi government launched Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious development program that foresees important opportunities for foreign investors in the sectors of education, housing, health and energy, among others.

Invest Saudi was created by the Ministry of investment (MISA) to be the national investment promotion brand of the Kingdom and offer several services to investors. Saudi Arabia's incentives and support schemes are specifically designed to encourage investment with the potential to diversify and improve the Kingdom's competitiveness. The incentives include financial, fiscal and employment support. The MERAS facilitates services with government agencies.

Nevertheless, other recent governmental initiatives aimed at favouring employment of Saudi citizens may discourage foreign investors: cost of working permits for foreigners, quota of foreign worker employees, stricter policy of localisation and introduction of a VAT since 2018.

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Protection of Foreign Investment

Bilateral Investment Conventions Signed By Saudi Arabia
Saudi Bilateral Investment Agreements
International Controversies Registered By UNCTAD
The ISDS Navigator contains information about known international arbitration cases initiated by investors against States pursuant to international investment agreements. Saudi Arabia is involved in 3 cases as Home State of claimant and in 8 cases as Respondent State.
Organizations Offering Their Assistance in Case of Disagreement
ICCWBO , International Chamber of Commerce
ICSID , International Center for settlement of Investment Disputes
Member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
Saudi Arabia is a signatory of the MIGA Convention.
 
Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors Saudi Arabia Middle East & North Africa United States Germany
Index of Transaction Transparency* 9.0 6.4 7.0 5.0
Index of Manager’s Responsibility** 9.0 4.8 9.0 5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power*** 7.0 4.7 9.0 5.0

Source: The World Bank - Doing Business, Latest data available.

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Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment
Not guaranteed
Acquisition of Holdings
Possible
Competent Organisation For the Declaration
Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA)
Requests For Specific Authorisations
Foreign ownership of private company shares in Saudi Arabia is subject to the Foreign Investment Law and regulated by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Saudi Arabia maintains a Negative List that tabulates sectors not open to foreign investment ( visit SAGIA site and check the Negative List). However, most sectors are open to foreign investment provided the foreign acquirer obtains a foreign investment licence. SAGIA has an instant licence regime and investors can apply online for an immediate licence if they meet certain criteria published by SAGIA.

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Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions

There are ready-to-move-in offices available on rent in various business parks across Kingdom's main cities.

However in case the foreign company is of national interest, the Saudi Government may provide temporary space for a limited period till the company establishes itself in the country.

The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings
It is possible to purchase land for the purpose of conducting licensed activities and for employee residences. However, land may not be bought by a foreigner for investment purposes only (i.e. real estate trading).
Risk of Expropriation
The risk of expropriation in Saudi Arabia is negligible. The Saudi Board of Grievances has jurisdiction over commercial disputes between the government and private contractors. According to article 11 of the Foreign Investment Act: “Investments related to the foreign investor shall not be confiscated wholly or partially without a court order, moreover, it may not be subject to expropriation wholly or partially except for public interest against an equitable compensation according to Regulations and Directives”. The US investment guide records no documented instance of expropriation, nonetheless they state that some SMEs have had their investment licences cancelled without justification.

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Investment Aid

Forms of Aid
The Government has created industrial sites attracting foreign investors in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Qaseem, Al-Ahsa and Mecca. The setting up of a subsidiary allows tax exemptions for 5 years. The State provides electricity, water, fuel, etc. at low prices when industrial plans are involved. The Government encourages partnerships with local companies, granting more aid and advantages to companies whose capital is shared with Saudis. The Department of Industry and Electricity and the Department of Finance should be contacted for more information on the various forms of assistance granted to foreign investors.

Foreign investment that fulfils the requirements of the Foreign Capital Investment Code enjoys all privileges of national capital and is entitled to the same treatment, protection, and incentives accorded to national capital, which includes exemption from customs duties on machinery and equipment.

In addition, foreign investors who hire Saudis may benefit from a rewards system, whereby the Government would pay 50% of the employees’ salaries, subject to conditions as specified by the Human Resources Development Fund.

The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and Invest Saudi may be contacted for further information about investment laws and opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Privileged Geographical Zones
The Government has set up six “Economic Cities” located in Hail, Medinah, Rabigh, Jazan, Tabouk and Eastern Province in order to attract foreign investment and create job opportunities. These cities focus on different industries.
Free-trade zones
Saudi Arabia does not have duty-free zones or free ports.

However Saudi Arabia is a member of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Arab League. Saudi Arabia grants special trade and investment privileges to GCC members, allowing free movement of local goods. The Arab League has also agreed to negotiate an Arab free trade zone.
Public aid and funding organisations
Saudi Industrial Development Fund

Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)

Islamic Development Bank

 
 

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Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy
Oil sector, automobile industry, building, information and communication technologies, health, pharmaceutical industry, defence.
High Potential Sectors
Franchising, tourism, banking, electricity, mines.
Privatization Programmes
The Privatization Program, is one of the executive programs launched by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030. The targeted sectors are linked to ministries of Education; Communications and Information Technology; Municipal and Rural Affairs; Environment, water and agriculture; Transport; Sport; Energy; Housing; Health; the Haj and Umrah and Labor and Social Development.
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement
Saudi Tenders
Tenders Info , Tenders in Saudi Arabia
DgMarket , Tenders Worldwide

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Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors
Telecommunications, electricity, water, hydrocarbons.

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Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency
Ministry of Investment
Invest Saudi
Other Useful Resources
Saudi Chambers Council
Gulf Consulting House
Doing Business Guides
Doing business guide Saudi Arabia (Deloitte)
 
 
 
 

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Latest Update: February 2025