ANNUAL REPORT The State of Foreign Business Establishment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
At a glance
Saudi Press Agency spa.gov.sa Official FDI figures for 2024
Data Saudi datasaudi.sa Economic and demographic data
General Authority for Statistics stats.gov.sa Population and labour market data
Ministry of Investment misa.gov.sa Foreign investment framework
Motaded internal data motaded.com.sa Data from 281+ investor files
ANNUAL REPORT
The State of
Foreign Business Establishment
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
— 2024 —
Prepared by
Motaded Limited Company
CR 7009358164 · motaded.com.sa
June 2026 · First Edition
Contents
Chapter One Foreword and Executive Summary
Chapter Two Saudi Arabia as an Investment Destination — The Macro Context
Chapter Three Foreign Direct Investment Flows — Official Data
Chapter Four Framework Indicators — Licenses and Regional Headquarters
Chapter Five Business Demography — Where Activity Concentrates
Chapter Six The Motaded Experience — A Reading From 281+ Investor Files
Chapter Seven The Regulatory Pathway — From Inquiry to Operations
Chapter Eight Outlook and Recommendations for 2026-2027
Chapter Nine Appendices, Sources, and About Motaded
Chapter One
Foreword and Executive Summary
1.1 · Founder's Foreword
When we founded Motaded Limited Company in Riyadh in 2017, the foreign investor arriving in Saudi Arabia faced a market full of promise but lacking a practical guide that translated Saudi regulation into actionable steps. The landscape has changed dramatically since then.
Over eight years, we have walked alongside more than two hundred and eighty-one companies on their journey from filing a Ministry of Investment application to their first operating day in Saudi Arabia. We have worked with investors from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and thirty other countries, across eight economic sectors including manufacturing, information technology, trade, and professional services. What we have learned from these files is found in no manual: the details of authentication, the reasons for delay, the practical differences between one entity form and another, and when a fully inclusive package justifies its investment.
This report is the fruit of that experience. We combine official figures from the Saudi Press Agency, the General Authority for Statistics, and the Ministry of Investment with an operational reading drawn from our 281+ files. The objective is simple: to offer foreign investors heading to the Kingdom — and economic observers tracking the transformation of the Saudi market — a comprehensive, verified picture of the state of foreign business establishment in Saudi Arabia.
We believe the phase of economic diversification under Vision 2030 will accelerate in the coming years, and that Saudi Arabia will remain one of the most attractive emerging markets for foreign direct investment in the region. We invite every investor considering entry into this market to read this report carefully, and to reach out to us for private consultation on their pathway.
Mukhlid Al-Qahtani
Founder and Senior Consultant
Motaded Limited Company
1.2 · Methodology and Sources
This report was built on a strict source verification methodology. Every figure in the text is drawn either from an official government source or from documented internal data of Motaded Limited Company. No figure appears in the report whose source we have not verified.
Primary Sources
Source | Entity | Type of Data Used |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Press Agency | spa.gov.sa | Official FDI figures for 2024 |
| Data Saudi | datasaudi.sa | Economic and demographic data |
| General Authority for Statistics | stats.gov.sa | Population and labour market data |
| Ministry of Investment | misa.gov.sa | Foreign investment framework |
| Motaded internal data | motaded.com.sa | Data from 281+ investor files |
Source: All sources accessed during June 2026.
Report Scope
This report covers the period from the announcement of Vision 2030 in 2016 through the end of 2024, with Q4 2025 data and indicators available through May 2026 included in the macroeconomic context chapter. The annual FDI figures refer to 2024 — the most recent year for which official data have been issued and approved by the Ministry of Investment.
What This Report Does Not Contain
The report does not contain: estimates or undocumented figures, quotations from private consulting firms, specific investment recommendations for any sector or product, or confidential information about Motaded clients. Every client file with us is confidential, and identities are never disclosed without explicit written consent.
1.3 · Executive Highlights
The following are the principal findings of this report. They may serve as a quick executive summary for decision-makers.
At the National Level
SAR 119.2 billion
Total FDI inflows in 2024
Source: Saudi Press Agency, 3 September 2025
Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual growth rate 2024 | +24.2% |
| National target exceeded by | +39% |
| Non-oil FDI as share of total (first time) | ~90% |
| FDI inflow multiplier since 2017 | More than 4× |
| Total foreign investment licenses issued | More than 50,000 |
| Regional Headquarters in the Kingdom | 660 RHQs |
| Total active establishments in Saudi Arabia (2024) | 2,045,964 |
At the Motaded Portfolio Level
281+
Companies established for foreign investors since 2017
Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Top investor country | China — 90 companies (32%) |
| Second | United States — 83 companies (30%) |
| Top sector | Manufacturing — 112 companies (40%) |
| Second sector | Information Technology — 98 companies (35%) |
| Share of Limited Liability Companies (LLC) | 90% |
| Average actual setup duration (foreign LLC) | 65 days (vs. 90-day ceiling) |
| Average registered capital — foreign LLC | SAR 7 million |
Bottom line: 2024 was a historic turning point. Saudi Arabia exceeded its national target by 39%, with 90% of FDI inflows shifting to non-oil activities for the first time. This confirms that economic diversification under Vision 2030 is advancing faster than official targets.
Chapter Two
Saudi Arabia as an Investment Destination — The Macro Context
2.1 · Gross Domestic Product and Economic Growth
In 2025, Saudi Arabia's real Gross Domestic Product reached SAR 4.9 trillion, with nominal GDP at SAR 4.8 trillion, according to the latest data from the General Authority for Statistics. The breakdown of GDP by main activity reveals an economy in active diversification:
Activity | Real GDP 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Oil activities | SAR 1.3 trillion | ~27% |
| Non-oil activities | SAR 2.7 trillion | ~55% |
| Government activities | SAR 648.4 billion | ~13% |
| Net taxes and others | Remainder | ~5% |
Source: datasaudi.sa, General Authority for Statistics
Non-oil activities contributing 55% of GDP is a structural transformation indicator. This figure was significantly lower at the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, when the economy was heavily dependent on oil. The current contribution reflects the success of investment in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, finance, tourism, and entertainment.
2.2 · Economic Confidence Indicators
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) and the Business Confidence Index are leading indicators that economists and investors monitor to assess short-term economic momentum. In May 2026, both indicators recorded positive readings:
Indicator | Reading | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi PMI (May 2026) | 52.8 points | Expansion (above 50) |
| Overall Business Confidence Index | 55.6 | Positive sentiment |
| Confidence in industry sector | 54.3 | Steady growth |
| Confidence in services sector | 54.6 | Sustainable expansion |
| Confidence in construction sector | 56.7 | Strongest among sectors |
Source: datasaudi.sa, May 2026
2.3 · Inflation and Pricing
The annual inflation rate in May 2026 stood at 1.8%, according to the Consumer Price Index. This is a relatively low rate by international standards, reflecting the stability of monetary policy and the strength of the Saudi riyal.
1.8%
Annual inflation rate, May 2026
Source: datasaudi.sa
2.4 · Population and Labour Force
By the end of 2024, the total population of the Kingdom reached 35,300,280, distributed as 62.1% males and 37.9% females. The labour force participation rate for Saudis in Q4 2025 reached 49.5%, with a significant gain in female participation:
Indicator | Q4 2025 |
|---|---|
| Saudi labour force participation rate | 49.5% |
| Saudi female participation rate | 34.5% |
| Saudi male participation rate | 64.7% |
| Saudi unemployment rate | 7.2% |
| Saudi female unemployment | 10.3% |
| Saudi male unemployment | 5.6% |
Source: datasaudi.sa
Saudi female participation at 34.5% is a remarkable transformation indicator. This figure was less than 18% at the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, and reflects regulatory reforms enabling women's participation in the economy.
Chapter Three
Foreign Direct Investment Flows — Official Data
3.1 · Annual Performance 2024
Saudi Arabia recorded a landmark performance in foreign direct investment in 2024. According to the Ministry of Investment, as conveyed by the Saudi Press Agency on 3 September 2025:
SAR 119.2 billion
Total FDI inflows 2024 · Growth +24.2%
Indicator | 2024 Result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total FDI inflows | SAR 119.2 billion | +24.2% YoY |
| Annual target | SAR 109 billion | Exceeded by +39% |
| Non-oil share of FDI | ~90% | First time at this level |
| Non-oil FDI / non-oil GDP | ~4.2% | Satisfactory by international benchmarks |
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
The performance achieved in 2024 reflects the Kingdom's ability to confront all economic and investment challenges within an ambitious vision aiming for economic diversification and growth — Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.
3.2 · Historical Growth 2017-2024
Comparing 2017 (a representative baseline year for the early Vision 2030 period) with 2024 reveals a structural transformation in the volume of foreign investment in the Kingdom:
Indicator | 2017 | 2024 | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual FDI inflows (SAR bn) | 28.1 | 119.2 | More than 4× |
| Cumulative FDI stock (SAR bn) | 501.8 | 977.3 | ~2× |
| Investment licenses issued (2016→2024) | — | — | More than 10× |
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
Quadrupling of annual flows in seven years is exceptional. For comparison, the global FDI growth rate during the same period was modest — and at times negative — particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kingdom's outperformance against global averages reflects the depth of regulatory reforms.
3.3 · Composition Shift: 90% of Inflows Non-Oil
Among the most significant data published for 2024 is that non-oil FDI inflows reached approximately 90% of total flows — for the first time in Saudi history. This is a fundamental indicator of the success of the economic diversification strategy.
~90%
Non-oil share of FDI inflows 2024 (first time)
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
The ratio of non-oil FDI to non-oil GDP in 2024 was approximately 4.2%, which is a satisfactory indicator by international comparisons (the global average ranges between 2-3%).
3.4 · Quarterly Performance — Q4 2025
Quarterly data from the General Authority for Statistics indicate that FDI momentum continued into Q4 2025:
Indicator | Value | QoQ Change |
|---|---|---|
| Net inbound FDI flows (Q4 2025) | SAR 48.4 billion | +81.8% |
| Net outbound FDI flows (Q4 2025) | SAR 18.9 billion | -63.8% |
Source: datasaudi.sa, General Authority for Statistics
Chapter Four
Framework Indicators — Licenses and Regional Headquarters
4.1 · Investment Licenses: More Than 50,000
By the end of 2024, the total foreign investment licenses issued in Saudi Arabia exceeded 50,000 licenses, across diverse sectors and from different countries. This figure reflects a tenfold increase between 2016 and 2024.
50,000+
Foreign investment licenses issued (×10 since 2016)
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
4.2 · Regional Headquarters: 660 Companies
In 2021, the Kingdom launched the Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Program targeting major multinational corporations to make Riyadh their regional base for the Middle East and North Africa. By the end of 2024, the total number of multinational regional headquarters in the Kingdom reached:
660 RHQs
Regional headquarters in the Kingdom (end of 2024)
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
This number includes major multinational companies relocating their regional decision-making centres to Riyadh, reflecting confidence in the Saudi business environment and the strategic geographic location of Riyadh as a gateway to the MENA region.
4.3 · The National Investment Strategy 2021
The National Investment Strategy was launched by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, in 2021. Since that date, the Strategy's performance indicators have exceeded all their targets for the fourth consecutive year.
Targets Exceeded by the National Investment Strategy in 2024
Target | Achieved Result | Over-achievement |
|---|---|---|
| FDI inflows | SAR 119.2 billion | +39% |
| Gross fixed capital formation (local investment) | More than SAR 1.3 trillion | +38% |
| Regional Headquarters relocations | 660 RHQs | — |
Source: Saudi Press Agency, N2390416
4.4 · The New Companies Law (M/132)
The new Saudi Companies Law was issued by Royal Decree No. M/132 dated 1 Dhu al-Qa'da 1443H, and entered into force on 19 January 2023. This law represents a comprehensive update of the framework for company formation in the Kingdom. The most important developments — from the foreign investor's perspective:
1. Expanding permitted legal forms to include: Limited Liability Company (LLC), Joint Stock Company (JSC) in both public and closed forms, Simplified Joint Stock Company (SJSC) — a new form with no minimum capital, General Partnership, Simple Commandite Company, Professional Company, and Non-profit Company.
2. Abolishing certain inherited forms such as silent partnerships.
3. Easing formation procedures generally, and reducing minimum capital requirements in several forms.
For the foreign investor, the most-used form remains the Limited Liability Company (LLC). The larger investor planning an initial public offering or expanding the shareholder base turns to the Joint Stock Company (JSC) or the new Simplified Joint Stock Company (SJSC) form.
Chapter Five
Business Demography — Where Activity Concentrates
5.1 · More Than Two Million Active Establishments
The total number of active establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024 reached 2,045,964 active establishments, according to the latest data from the General Authority for Statistics.
2,045,964
Active establishments in the Kingdom (2024)
Source: datasaudi.sa, General Authority for Statistics
5.2 · Establishments by Economic Activity
Wholesale and retail trade leads the activities most represented in active establishments, followed by construction:
Economic Activity | Number of Active Establishments |
|---|---|
| Wholesale, retail, and vehicle repair | 326,585 |
| Construction | 273,874 |
| Other diverse activities | 1,500,000+ |
Source: datasaudi.sa
5.3 · Geographic Distribution — New Commercial Registrations
The number of new commercial registrations issued to establishments in the Kingdom in 2022 totalled 282,320 registrations. Riyadh leads by a clear margin, followed by Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Eastern Province:
Region | New Registrations | Approximate Share |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | 79,397 | 28% |
| Makkah Al-Mukarramah | 64,844 | 23% |
| Eastern Province | 38,424 | 14% |
| Other regions | 99,655 | 35% |
Source: datasaudi.sa
5.4 · Operating Revenue by Sector
In 2024, total operating revenue for all economic activities in the Kingdom reached SAR 5.5 trillion. Manufacturing topped the activities in revenue:
Indicator | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Total operating revenue (all activities) | SAR 5.5 trillion | — |
| Manufacturing revenue | SAR 1.7 trillion | 31.0% |
Source: datasaudi.sa
Chapter Six
The Motaded Experience — A Reading From 281+ Investor Files
This chapter is the most distinctive in the report. Unlike previous chapters that drew on published government data, this chapter offers an operational reading from Motaded's internal data — based on 281 foreign investor files that Motaded executed in full from 2017 through the end of 2025.
This data is not published in any government report, because it represents a narrow operational and sectoral reading specific to Motaded alone. But it offers a perspective available only from a field practitioner.
6.1 · Cumulative Development 2017-2025
Motaded began operations in 2017 by establishing only three foreign companies in its first year. By the end of 2025, the cumulative number reached 281 companies. The years 2019-2021 were clearly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as foreign direct investment activity slowed globally and within the Kingdom alike. Then 2024 and 2025 witnessed unprecedented acceleration.
Cumulative Number of Companies Established Through Motaded
Year (end) | Cumulative Total | Annual Addition |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 21 | +18 |
| 2019-2021 | Affected by COVID-19 | Limited |
| 2022 | 48 | — |
| 2023 | 93 | +45 |
| 2024 | 177 | +84 |
| 2025 | 281 | +104 |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
+104
Foreign companies established through Motaded in 2025 alone
In 2025 alone, Motaded established more companies (104) than the cumulative total of its first six years of operation (48 companies by the end of 2022) combined. This acceleration coincides with the overall momentum in Saudi FDI that the Ministry of Investment officially announced.
6.2 · Distribution of Clients by Investor Country
Motaded's data reveals a geographic distribution of foreign investors that differs somewhat from the general picture of Saudi FDI. While Gulf states typically lead the overall official figures, China tops the list of investors through Motaded, followed by the United States:
Top Five Countries — Distribution of 281 Companies
Rank | Country | Number of Companies | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | People's Republic of China | 90 | 32% |
| 2 | United States of America | 83 | 30% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 32 | 11% |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates | 28 | 10% |
| 5 | Other diverse countries | 48 | 17% |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
China and the United States together represent 62% of Motaded's total files. This geographic concentration reflects three factors: (a) the Kingdom's major strategic relationships with both economies, (b) the volume of announced investments in Vision 2030 projects from Chinese and American companies, (c) Motaded's positioning as a specialised consultancy serving investors from distant markets whose regulatory norms differ from Saudi Arabia.
6.3 · Distribution of Clients by Sector
At the sectoral level, the ranking is as follows:
The Five Most Frequent Sectors
Rank | Sector | Number of Companies | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | 112 | 40% |
| 2 | Information Technology | 98 | 35% |
| 3 | Trade | 40 | 14% |
| 4 | Professional Services | 21 | 7% |
| 5 | Other sectors | 10 | 4% |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
Manufacturing and Information Technology together represent 75% of Motaded's total files. This picture aligns with the Kingdom's announced economic priorities under Vision 2030, which give exceptional importance to the manufacturing and technology sectors.
The practical reading of these numbers: if the foreign investor is in the Manufacturing or Information Technology sector, they enter a regulatorily prepared Saudi market, with a network of prior investors, suppliers, partners, and accumulated expertise among advisors.
6.4 · Distribution by Legal Entity Type
In Motaded's files, the distribution of legal forms for established entities is as follows:
Legal Forms Established
Entity Type | Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | 90% | Most used |
| Branch of a foreign company | 7% | For direct expansion without an independent entity |
| Regional Headquarters (RHQ) | 2% | For major multinationals |
| Professional Company | 1% | For regulated professional services |
| Joint Stock Company (JSC) | 0% | Not appearing in Motaded's historical files |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
The dominance of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) at 90% of Motaded's files reflects that this legal form is optimal for the foreign investor starting operations in Saudi Arabia. The LLC combines: (a) flexibility in management and director appointment, (b) limited liability up to the capital, (c) faster formation compared to joint stock companies, (d) fewer ongoing disclosure requirements.
6.5 · Actual Setup Duration
The maximum time ceiling for a foreign investor from filing a Ministry of Investment application to operating a bank account is 90 days. However, the actual duration that Motaded's files take in practice varies by entity type:
Average Actual Duration in Motaded Files
Investor / Entity Type | Approved Ceiling | Actual Average at Motaded |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign investor — LLC | Up to 90 days | 65 days |
| Foreign investor — Branch | Up to 90 days | 65 days |
| Foreign investor — JSC | 100-120 days | 100 days |
| Saudi investor — LLC | 2 business days | 1 business day |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
65 days
Average actual duration for foreign company setup through Motaded
An average of 65 days means Motaded executes foreign company formation in 72% of the approved maximum ceiling. This ratio is improvable to 50-55 days when the five delay reasons outlined in the next section are avoided.
6.6 · Most Common Delay Reasons
From our experience in 281 investor files, five main reasons recur for foreign investment transaction delays or rejections:
Reason One — Document Authentication Discrepancies
Document authentication standards differ between countries. A document properly authenticated in its issuing country may not meet the requirements of the Saudi embassy in that country or the approved authentication system. Since the Kingdom's accession to the Apostille Convention in December 2022, the pathway has become clearer but still requires careful attention to detail.
Reason Two — Newly Established Companies
Some foreign investors attempt to establish a branch for a newly established parent company that has not completed one year, or has not yet issued audited financial statements. This timing does not meet the requirements of the Ministry of Investment, which requires audited financials for the last complete fiscal year.
Reason Three — Premium Residency Requirements
Some investors turn to establishing a company in Saudi Arabia as a pathway to obtaining Premium Residency, without verifying that they meet the requirements of this program (minimum capital, type of activity, annual obligations). This leads to file delays or return to starting point.
Reason Four — Incorrect Documents
Submitting incorrect, incomplete documents, or those translated by non-licensed translation offices in Saudi Arabia leads to application rejection or requests to complete deficiencies — both of which add weeks to the total duration.
Reason Five — Choosing Activities Not Permitted for Foreigners
There are economic activities restricted to Saudis, and other activities excluded from the foreign investment program. Choosing an activity from these two categories means direct application rejection, and requires re-studying the business model entirely.
These five reasons are fully addressable in the pre-application stage. Motaded dedicates a free 45-60 minute strategic consultation session for each new investor, specifically to eliminate these reasons before execution begins.
6.7 · Average Capital
From Motaded's data, the average registered capital of established foreign companies is:
Entity Type | Average Registered Capital (SAR) |
|---|---|
| LLC — foreign investor | 7,000,000 |
| Branch of foreign company | 2,000,000 |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
The clear difference between LLC average capital (SAR 7 million) and branch average capital (SAR 2 million) reflects the nature of the investment: the LLC is typically established as a complete new project, while the branch is established as the executive arm of a company already operating in its home country.
6.8 · Average Operational Team Size
From reading first-year operational data of foreign companies established through Motaded:
Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Average first-year employees | 3 employees |
| Average Saudi employee in initial team | 1 employee |
Source: Motaded Limited Company internal records
The typical initial team for a new foreign company in Saudi Arabia consists of three employees: a foreign General Manager, a foreign operations officer, and a Saudi employee. This initial team expands with business growth. Motaded continues to support many of its files post-establishment through its subsidiary Talent Solutions Company for human resources services.
Chapter Seven
The Regulatory Pathway — From Inquiry to Operations
7.1 · Steps for Establishing a Company in Saudi Arabia
A foreign investor passes through clear stages in the path of establishing their company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Motaded treats these stages as an integrated system.
Stage One — Pre-Application Stage
Includes: identifying the economic activity, choosing the legal form, determining the registered capital, preparing documents from the home country, authenticating them through the Apostille system or Saudi embassy, and reserving the trade name.
Stage Two — Ministry of Investment (MISA) License
Submitting the application for the Ministry of Investment license for the specified activity. The approved official review period is ten business days, and the Ministry may request additional documents in certain cases.
Stage Three — Entity Formation Through Saudi Business Center
After issuance of the Ministry of Investment license, the application is submitted through the Saudi Business Center (Meras) for: drafting the Articles of Association, publishing in the commercial gazette, issuing the Commercial Registration, and subscribing to the Chamber of Commerce. All four services are available in the unified bundle at SAR 1,775 (inclusive).
Stage Four — Corporate Bank Account
Opening the corporate bank account, which requires: an active Commercial Registration, a documented National Address, a valid Iqama for the General Manager, and the Articles of Association. In Motaded's Inclusive Package, the bank account is opened in three business days, conditional on the named General Manager in the AoA being physically present in the Kingdom.
Stage Five — Government Platform Activation
Activating all government platforms necessary for operation (Qiwa, Mudad, GOSI, Muqeem, ZATCA), issuing residencies and work permits, and registering importers and exporters as appropriate.
7.2 · Approved Timelines by Investor Type
Investor Type | Approved Full Duration |
|---|---|
| Saudi investor | 180 seconds to 2 business days |
| GCC investor | Up to 2 business days |
| Foreign investor — LLC or branch | Up to 90 days |
| Foreign investor — Joint Stock Company (JSC) | 100-120 days |
The 90-day period for the foreign investor is calculated after authentication of original documents in the home country is complete, and they have actually arrived at the Motaded office in Riyadh. Any delay in authentication or shipping is counted outside this period.
7.3 · Main Government Fees
Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation (Arabic) | SAR 200 | 90-day validity |
| Trade name reservation (English) | SAR 500 | 90-day validity |
| Saudi Business Center unified bundle | SAR 1,775 | Includes AoA + gazette publication + CR + Chamber |
| Qiwa annual subscription | SAR 1,265 | VAT inclusive |
| Mudad Premium (0-9 employees) | SAR 529 | VAT inclusive |
Source: motaded.com.sa
7.4 · The Ten Government Platforms
Motaded works on behalf of its clients within ten main Saudi government platforms that are the backbone of any entity registered in the Kingdom:
Platform | Authority | Service Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Investment (MISA) | Ministry of Investment | Investment licensing |
| Saudi Business Center (Meras) | Ministry of Commerce | Unified business services |
| Qiwa | Ministry of Human Resources | Employment and contracts |
| Mudad | Ministry of Human Resources | Wage Protection System |
| GOSI | General Organization for Social Insurance | Subscriptions and insurance |
| Muqeem | Ministry of Interior | Residency management |
| ZATCA | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority | Tax and customs obligations |
| SFDA | Saudi Food and Drug Authority | Facility and product licensing |
| SAIP | Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property | Trademarks and patents |
| MODON | Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities | Industrial land |
Chapter Eight
Outlook and Recommendations for 2026-2027
8.1 · National Investment Strategy — 2027 Targets
The National Investment Strategy, launched in 2021, sets ambitious targets aimed at attracting more quality foreign investment to the Kingdom by 2030. Indicators of strategy performance have exceeded targets for four consecutive years, supporting expectations that strong momentum will continue in 2026 and 2027.
Based on the achievement multiplier observed during 2021-2024, and given the ongoing momentum, Saudi Arabia is expected to see foreign direct investment inflows exceeding SAR 150 billion in 2026, with the potential to approach SAR 200 billion by 2027 — if current trends continue at the same pace.
8.2 · Sectors With Highest FDI Growth Potential
From a reading of Vision 2030 priorities, the Kingdom's announced strategies, and Motaded's operational reality with its investors, the highest-growth-potential sectors for foreign investment in 2026-2027 are:
1. Advanced manufacturing and industrial cities — driven by industrial localisation programs and MODON.
2. Information technology and digital infrastructure — driven by Vision 2030 digital transformation initiatives.
3. Renewable energy — given the Kingdom's commitments under the Saudi Green Initiative.
4. Tourism and entertainment — driven by mega-projects (NEOM, Qiddiya, Red Sea, Diriyah, AlUla).
5. Healthcare and biotechnology — given expansion in privatisation and digital health programs.
6. Logistics and transport — driven by the Kingdom's positioning as a global logistics hub.
8.3 · Recommendations for Incoming Foreign Investors
Based on Motaded's accumulated experience, the errors a foreign investor falls into are confinable to six main categories, each matched with a simple preventive action:
Common Error | Preventive Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Choosing an activity restricted to Saudis | Pre-verify the chosen activity matches MISA list |
| Incomplete authentication of documents | Use Apostille system if home country is signatory, embassy authentication otherwise |
| Premature attempt at Premium Residency | Wait until business is established at least 12 months |
| Inadequate registered capital | Set capital based on actual operational needs, not just legal minimum |
| Underestimating Saudization requirements | Plan Saudization ratio from the first hire |
| Relying on unlicensed translation | Use only translation offices licensed in the Kingdom |
Chapter Nine
Appendices, Sources, and About Motaded
9.1 · Verified Sources
A. Official Government Sources
• Saudi Press Agency (SPA): article N2390416, dated 3 September 2025
• Data Saudi platform: datasaudi.sa (real GDP, FDI, employment, business demography)
• General Authority for Statistics: stats.gov.sa
• Ministry of Investment: misa.gov.sa
• Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO)
B. Saudi Legal References
• New Saudi Companies Law: Royal Decree No. M/132 dated 1 Dhu al-Qa'da 1443H, effective 19 January 2023
• National Investment Strategy 2021
C. International References
• Hague Apostille Convention — Saudi Arabia accession on 7 December 2022
D. Motaded Sources
• motaded.com.sa company website
• Motaded Limited Company internal records (281 client files, 2017-2025)
Methodological note: The operational data in Chapter Six is taken entirely from internal records of Motaded Limited Company, registered in the company's internal administrative system, and updated in June 2026.
9.2 · Glossary of Terms
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| FDI | Foreign Direct Investment |
| MISA | Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia |
| RHQ | Regional Headquarters Program |
| LLC | Limited Liability Company |
| JSC | Joint Stock Company |
| SJSC | Simplified Joint Stock Company (introduced 2023) |
| AoA | Articles of Association |
| CR | Commercial Registration |
| ZATCA | Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority |
| SFDA | Saudi Food and Drug Authority |
| SAIP | Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property |
| MODON | Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones |
| Apostille | Document authentication system under the Hague Convention |
| GASTAT | General Authority for Statistics |
9.3 · About Motaded Limited Company
Motaded Limited Company is a Saudi consultancy specialising in supporting foreign investors entering the Saudi market. The company was founded in 2017 in Riyadh, and is led by Mukhlid Al-Qahtani, Founder and Senior Consultant.
Across eight years of operation, Motaded has supported more than 281 companies in establishing their presence in the Kingdom, serving investors from more than 30 countries across eight economic sectors.
Motaded Group — Three Entities, One Group
Entity | Commercial Registration | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Motaded Limited Company | 7009358164 | Consulting and company formation |
| Talent Solutions Company | 7049710341 | Human resources and manpower |
| Motaded Customs Company | Under formation | Customs clearance and shipping |
Contact
Website: motaded.com.sa
Headquarters: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Commercial Registration: 7009358164
VAT: 310797727900003
9.4 · Motaded Services Directory — Internal Links
For quick access to detailed information about each service, platform, or sector referenced in this report, the following pages on motaded.com.sa serve as the primary navigation:
Core Services
• All Motaded services · Business setup for foreign investors
• HR services and manpower supply · Customs broker services
• Accounting, VAT, and zakat compliance · Government relations
Pricing and Packages
• Business setup packages (government fees included) · HR packages
Government Platforms — Detailed Pages
• Ministry of Investment (MISA) · Saudi Business Center (Meras)
• Qiwa platform · Mudad platform · GOSI
• Muqeem platform · ZATCA
• SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) · SAIP (Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property)
• MODON (Industrial Cities) · All government platforms
Sectors Served
• Manufacturing · Technology · Logistics and transport
• Finance and Fintech · Healthcare
• Energy · Construction and infrastructure · Tourism
About Motaded and Contact
• About Motaded · Book a free consultation · Blog and updates
Every engagement with Motaded begins with a free 45-60 minute strategic consultation with a senior consultant. We assess your business model, the choice of activity, the legal form, and the licensing pathway — and document everything in a written, itemised proposal with no verbal quotes.
We invite every foreign investor considering market entry to Saudi Arabia to schedule a free strategic consultation through our website. The consultation covers business model assessment, activity selection, legal form, and licensing pathway — and is documented in a written, itemised proposal with no verbal quotes.
— End of Report —
© Motaded Limited Company
Issued in June 2026 — First Edition