Logo of Ministry of Investment
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment issued 4,455 new investment licenses to foreign companies in the second quarter of 2022, a rise of 673% from 576 licenses a year earlier.
This impressive rise was supported by the government’s efforts to promote foreign direct investment in the Kingdom, as well as efforts to correct the situation of the Anti-Concealment Law Violators.
The following table illustrates the number of foreign investment licenses issued since early 2016:
|
Foreign Investment Licenses in Saudi Arabia |
||
|
Period |
No. |
YoY Change |
|
Q1 2016 |
72 |
-- |
|
Q2 2016 |
54 |
-- |
|
Q3 2016 |
44 |
-- |
|
Q4 2016 |
86 |
-- |
|
Q1 2017 |
66 |
(8%) |
|
Q2 2017 |
85 |
+57% |
|
Q3 2017 |
84 |
+91% |
|
Q4 2017 |
142 |
+65% |
|
Q1 2018 |
157 |
+138% |
|
Q2 2018 |
146 |
+72% |
|
Q3 2018 |
197 |
+135% |
|
Q4 2018 |
238 |
+68% |
|
Q1 2019 |
297 |
+89% |
|
Q2 2019 |
292 |
+100% |
|
Q3 2019 |
252 |
+28% |
|
Q4 2019 |
290 |
+22% |
|
Q1 2020 |
352 |
+21% |
|
Q2 2020 |
158 |
(46%) |
|
Q3 2020 |
307 |
+21% |
|
Q4 2020 |
449 |
+54% |
|
Q1 2021 |
479 |
+36% |
|
Q2 2021 |
576 |
+265% |
|
Q3 2021 |
1,336 |
+335% |
|
Q4 2021 |
2,085 |
+364% |
|
Q1 2022 |
9,383 |
+1859% |
|
Q2 2022 |
4,455 |
+673% |
The wholesale and retail trade topped with the highest number of licenses at 2,713 in Q2 2022, surging 1,450% year-on-year.
This comes due to the Kingdom's increasing position as one of the most attractive investment destinations, in addition to the growing investors’ interest in wholesale and retail trade activity, particularly e-commerce, which boomed on improved consumer confidence and rising purchasing power.
Construction and manufacturing sectors followed with 528 and 349 new licenses, respectively.
|
New Foreign Investment Licenses by Sector in Q2 2022 |
|
|
Sector |
No. of licenses |
|
Wholesale and Retail Trade |
2,713 |
|
Construction |
528 |
|
Manufacturing Industries |
349 |
|
Accommodation and Food |
276 |
|
Academic & Professional Activities |
153 |
|
Information and Communication |
85 |
|
Administrative & Support Services |
84 |
|
Transportation and Storage |
79 |
|
Human, Health and Social Work |
37 |
|
Real Estate Activities |
34 |
|
Water Supply, Sewage and Waste Management |
24 |
|
Art, Entertainment & Recreation |
21 |
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing |
15 |
|
Education |
13 |
|
Financial and Insurance activities |
13 |
|
Mining and Quarrying |
9 |
|
Electricity and Gas |
7 |
|
Other |
15 |
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