Saudi Arabia Ranks 3rd Globally in Creation of Firms

The Saudi flag (SPA)
The Saudi flag (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Ranks 3rd Globally in Creation of Firms

The Saudi flag (SPA)
The Saudi flag (SPA)

Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the "Creation of Firms" indicator in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, due to streamlined procedures and accelerated business startup processes through reduced requirements and automated procedures.

Saudi Arabia advanced to fourth place in the "Equal Opportunity" indicator by enabling individuals and establishments to practice economic activity and access facilities and enablers fairly and effectively.

In the "Large Corporations" indicator, the Kingdom advanced to seventh place globally, reflecting the ability of large companies to operate with high efficiency and productivity and compete with major global firms, SPA reported.

The Ministry of Commerce stated that efforts to develop the legislative and procedural ecosystem to empower the business sector, in partnership with the public and private sectors, contributed to continued progress across several trade indicators in the report.

Saudi Arabia ranked 13th globally in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook and third among G20 countries, achieving progress across all the report's main pillars measuring economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.



Riyadh to Host Inaugural Water Regulation Forum in November

A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
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Riyadh to Host Inaugural Water Regulation Forum in November

A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)
A night view of the Saudi capital Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) will launch the inaugural edition of the Water Regulation Forum in Riyadh on November 1. Established as an annual global platform for advancing regulatory excellence and international cooperation across the water sector, the forum is being organized in strategic partnership with the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA).

A statement from SWA on Sunday said the forum will bring together water regulators, policymakers, experts, and sector leaders from around the world, with the participation of 28 speakers from 24 countries, four international organizations, and 25 government entities that are counterparts to the authority.

The diverse participation reflects the range of regulatory experiences and models represented and provides an opportunity to showcase regulatory practices and exchange expertise on developing regulatory frameworks and governance across the water sector.

The forum comes amid rapid developments across the global water sector that require regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with changes in resources, services, technologies, and investment models. Approaches to these developments vary from one country to another according to the nature of their water resources and their institutional and regulatory frameworks.

The forum will address key issues shaping water-sector regulation worldwide, including governance, scarcity management, compliance, utility performance, private-sector partnerships and financing, water reuse, and regulatory integration, drawing on a diverse range of international experiences.

The forum will be held alongside the IDRA World Congress 2026, hosted by the Kingdom in Riyadh from November 1-5, under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley.

The forum is expected to announce the launch of its first edition in 2027, serving as a platform for knowledge and expertise exchange and for strengthening cooperation among regulatory authorities worldwide.


Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress Kicks off in Jeddah in October

The Jeddah Superdome will host the 2026 edition of the congress. (Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress)
The Jeddah Superdome will host the 2026 edition of the congress. (Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress)
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Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress Kicks off in Jeddah in October

The Jeddah Superdome will host the 2026 edition of the congress. (Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress)
The Jeddah Superdome will host the 2026 edition of the congress. (Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress)

The Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress will kick off in Jeddah on October 21 and 22, with the participation of more than 15,000 specialists from over 90 countries, coinciding with the Kingdom's efforts to boost its position as a global logistics hub.

The Jeddah Superdome will host the 2026 edition of the congress, which brings together government officials, representatives from port authorities, shipping companies, logistics operators, investors, and major buyers in the sector.

The event comes at a time when the Kingdom is focusing on developing its maritime transport infrastructure and logistics services under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This strategy aims to increase port capacity to 40 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually by 2030.

The congress will explore opportunities to develop port capacity, logistics zones, shipping corridors, maritime transport services, and digital infrastructure, alongside shifts in the energy sector, infrastructure and technology investments, and supply chain resilience.

The congress program will focus on five key themes, including trade corridors and connectivity; ports, logistics, and industrial competitiveness; the energy transition; infrastructure investment and economic development; and technology and resilience.

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and the Transport General Authority (TGA) are participating as main partners in the 2026 edition, while the event is being organized in cooperation with Bahri and Seatrade Maritime Saudi, a subsidiary of Informa.


Saudi Ministry of Industry Participates in 63rd Damascus International Fair

26 August 2026, Syria, Damascus: People walk at the Damascus Fair Grounds during the opening ceremony of the 63rd Damascus International Fair. (dpa)
26 August 2026, Syria, Damascus: People walk at the Damascus Fair Grounds during the opening ceremony of the 63rd Damascus International Fair. (dpa)
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Saudi Ministry of Industry Participates in 63rd Damascus International Fair

26 August 2026, Syria, Damascus: People walk at the Damascus Fair Grounds during the opening ceremony of the 63rd Damascus International Fair. (dpa)
26 August 2026, Syria, Damascus: People walk at the Damascus Fair Grounds during the opening ceremony of the 63rd Damascus International Fair. (dpa)

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is participating in the 63rd Damascus International Fair, taking place from August 26 to September 4.

The participation aims to strengthen economic and industrial integration between the two countries, showcase the growth and development of Saudi industries, and expand access for Saudi goods and services to regional markets.

Saudi non-oil exports to Syria reached SAR1.23 billion in 2025, representing growth of more than 123% compared to 2024.

The fair serves as a key platform for fostering international investment partnerships across a wide range of economic sectors, particularly energy, industry, and technology.

The 63rd edition brings together around 1,000 entities from 60 countries, as well as Syrian ministries, institutions, and artisans, highlighting the fair’s significant economic and developmental impact.