Saudi Arabia recorded strong growth in new investment registrations during the first quarter of 2026, with the number of newly issued investment licenses rising by 50% compared to the same period last year, reaching 7,729 new registrations.
The increase reflects growing confidence among local and international investors in the Saudi market amid the Kingdom’s ongoing economic transformation under Vision 2030.
Construction and building, telecommunications, wholesale trade, and retail sectors were among the fastest-growing industries during the quarter, supported by large-scale development projects and expanding economic activity across the Kingdom.
The rise also highlights the impact of multiple incentive programs launched by the Ministry of Investment in recent years, including regulatory reforms, financing incentives, and tax-related support designed to improve the business environment and attract foreign capital.
According to Saudi Arabia’s 2025 Vision 2030 annual report, foreign direct investment as a percentage of GDP remains one of the key strategic indicators targeted under the national transformation plan.
The report noted that Saudi Arabia has worked closely with international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, to improve the accuracy and transparency of foreign investment statistics in line with global best practices.
Recent data showed that the Kingdom’s foreign direct investment ratio increased from 1% in 2017 to 2.85% in 2024, achieving approximately 98% of its annual target.
The report explained that although foreign direct investment inflows grew by 24% year-on-year in 2024, this was still not fully sufficient to match the Kingdom’s GDP growth rate of 3% during the same period. Saudi Arabia would have required an additional SAR 17.2 billion in investment inflows to fully achieve its annual target.
Part of the challenge was attributed to slower global investment conditions and the need for greater clarity in certain investment-related areas.
Despite these challenges, foreign investments have continued expanding across multiple sectors and cities throughout the Kingdom, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the region’s leading investment destinations and supporting its long-term Vision 2030 ambitions.
