Saudi Arabia Grants Licenses for Establishment of 4 Economic Zones

The Saudi government is seeking to develop special economic zones based on modern and innovative designs, with the aim to attract foreign direct investments and shape the future of regional and global markets.

Ministers, officials, and local and international experts attended the launch of the Saudi Special Economic Zones Investment Forum on Monday, which saw the announcement of new investment deals exceeding 27 billion riyals ($7.2 billion).

Hosted by the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA), in partnership with the Saudi Program for Attracting Regional Headquarters of International Companies, the forum witnessed extensive sessions that highlighted Saudi Arabia’s position as a future investment destination and the importance of special economic zones in diversifying the country’s sources of income.

During the event, licenses for the establishment of four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were awarded to the King Abdullah Economic City’ (KAEC) SEZ, Ras Al-Khair SEZ , Jazan SEZ, and Cloud Computing SEZ.

Eng. Khaled Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, said the Saudi government concluded in 2022 deals for the private sector worth 285 billion riyals ($76 billion) in various fields, including cars, information and communication technology, agriculture and space, as well as petrochemicals, mining and renewable energy.

He revealed that the investment sector in Saudi Arabia grew by 31 percent during 2022, to exceed one trillion riyals ($266.6 billion), for the first time in the history of the Kingdom.

The minister underlined that the social, economic and commercial indicators have proven the extent of investor confidence in the Saudi infrastructure. He added that the new special economic zones were designed based on a futuristic and innovative outlook, with a focus on attracting foreign direct investment and maximizing opportunities for major industries.

Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan stated that the economic zones help achieve sustainable development and contribute to attracting investments and generating job opportunities.

He added that the economic cities would benefit from Saudi Arabia’s strategic location to establish new clusters of companies across the main growth sectors, which would contribute in shaping the future of regional and global markets.

According to Al-Jadaan, the special zones target specific investors in certain sectors to reduce competition between the primary economy and the special economic cities.

Bandar AlKhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said the private economic zones in Saudi Arabia would greatly benefit the local economy, as they are an important component of economic diversification.

He stressed that the zones would serve re-export products and help create a large commercial movement in the next stage.

AlKhorayef revealed that the private economic zones focus on various industries related to ship manufacturing, mining and renewable energy industries, to promote investments that help expand services and create added value.

Meanwhile, Nabil Khoja, Secretary General of ECZA, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the volume of investments in the special economic zones in the coming period would top 116 billion riyals ($30.9 billion), given the efforts made to achieve the targets set to support the foundations of the Saudi economy.

Khoja predicted an influx of more investments in the coming phase, noting that each economic zone was characterized by qualitative industries and provided a package of incentives and enablers.

The forum discussed the opportunities offered by the special economic zones and the promising growth potential they provide to investors around the world.

Talks also touched on key topics that dealt with Saudi Arabia’s strengths, including the supportive and competitive regulatory environment, the strategic geographical location that boosts the country’s position as a vital center for supply chains and logistics services, and the advanced digital infrastructure capable of supporting ICT companies and the global cloud computing system.

The forum reviewed the latest developments in the Saudi program that focuses on attracting regional headquarters of international companies.

Some of the most important advantages offered by the special economic zones in Saudi Arabia include competitive tax rates and exemption from customs duties on imports, production inputs, machinery and raw materials.

Since the launch of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 in 2016, the Kingdom has focused on a clear goal: building a diversified and sustainable economy, reducing its dependence on oil, and investing in the potential of its citizens.

Nearly nine years of continuous effort later, the results today reflect a new reality, showcasing the success of Vision 2030 in transforming ambitions into tangible achievements, particularly in the labor market and the empowerment of national talent.

Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate for nationals has dropped to its lowest level, registering 7% in 2024, achieving the Vision 2030 target ahead of schedule. This marks a significant achievement, considering that tackling unemployment was one of the strategic document's top priorities.

The sharp decline is largely attributed to a substantial rise in Saudi women's participation in the labor market, which reached 36%, driven by a series of social and economic reforms. These initiatives have reshaped the role of women in development, opening vast opportunities in education, the workforce, and leadership positions.

Vision 2030 initially aimed to raise women's labor force participation to 30% by 2030. With this target already surpassed a decade early, the goal has now been revised to 40% by 2030, reflecting the effectiveness of national policies in enhancing workforce localization and leveraging Saudi talent.

Historically, Saudi Arabia's labor market has been heavily reliant on the public sector. However, Vision 2030 has driven a shift toward the private sector, with the number of Saudi nationals employed there rising from 1.7 million in 2020 to over 2.4 million in 2024.

In 2024 alone, 437,000 citizens were hired in the private sector, supported by more than 7.5 billion riyals ($1.9 billion) from the Human Resources Development Fund for training, qualification, and career guidance programs. This reflects the government's commitment to preparing a generation capable of adapting to the demands of the evolving job market.

These figures are not only significant in statistical terms, but also serve as a clear indicator of the fundamental transformation driven by Vision 2030 in the national economy. The vision has made empowerment, diversity, and sustainability key pillars in Saudi Arabia's path toward the future.

Saudi Arabia Grants Licenses for Establishment of 4 Economic Zones