New Authority in Jeddah Seeks to Promote Development

The city of Jeddah is preparing for a new phase of development, with the transformation of the city’s project management office into the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority.  (SPA)
The city of Jeddah is preparing for a new phase of development, with the transformation of the city’s project management office into the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority. (SPA)
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New Authority in Jeddah Seeks to Promote Development

The city of Jeddah is preparing for a new phase of development, with the transformation of the city’s project management office into the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority.  (SPA)
The city of Jeddah is preparing for a new phase of development, with the transformation of the city’s project management office into the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority. (SPA)

The city of Jeddah, located on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, is preparing for a new phase of development, with the transformation of the city’s project management office into the Jeddah Governorate Development Authority.

Jeddah is the gateway to international trade and foreign markets. It accommodates one the most important global ports in the Kingdom, the Jeddah Islamic Port, which stretches over an area of 12.5 square kilometers.

The city is also home to many factories that meet international standards and embraces more than 320 commercial centers and markets, which account for more than 21 percent of the commercial centers in the Kingdom.

The authority will seek to develop the city in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the economic transformation plan.

Dr. Faisal Al Fadel, member of the Shura Council, said that the Cabinet’s decision to transform the Governorate Projects Management Office into an authority is a qualitative and major organizational shift for the development of the Jeddah region.

He added that the move targets comprehensive development in the various urban, demographic, economic, social, cultural, tourism, environmental, transportation, infrastructure, and digital fields. It also aims to provide the governorate’s needs of services and public facilities.

The authority will have a key role in unifying and harmonizing development decisions among the concerned authorities, with the aim of maximizing the benefits of the community economy, achieving optimal utilization of potentials and resources and meeting the needs of the Jeddah Governorate, Fadel underlined.

The authority will be an independent legal entity that will supervise the governorate’s development initiatives, projects and programs.

“This is a major qualitative leap,” he stated.



Saudi Arabia Makes Significant Progress in 2025 International IP Index

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Makes Significant Progress in 2025 International IP Index

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia made significant progress in the 13th edition of the US Chamber of Commerce's International IP Index, recording a 17.55% increase in its overall score and ranking among the top countries for progress out of 55 global economies.

This milestone highlights the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its intellectual property ecosystem and fostering innovation in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. Key developments included extending the term of design protection to 15 years, establishing a dedicated prosecution office for IP offenses, and strengthening the electronic enforcement of copyrights and trademarks.

These efforts contributed to raising the Kingdom’s overall score from 36.6% in 2019 to 53.7% in 2025—a cumulative increase of more than 40% over six years.

This progress reflects the efforts of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, in collaboration with relevant entities, to build an integrated system that enhances investor and innovator confidence.

It also reaffirms the Kingdom’s growing position as a regional hub for the creative and knowledge-based economy.