Saudi business sector surges with 46,900 new companies in 1H 2026
RIYADH — The Saudi business environment witnessed increased momentum during the first half of this year, with establishing of 46,900 new companies. This reflects the continued growth of commercial activity and the expansion of the Kingdom’s business base, coinciding with government efforts to facilitate procedures for starting and operating businesses. The Saudi Competitiveness and Business…
Saudi Arabia experienced a surge in its business sector during the first half of 2026, with a total of 46,900 new companies established. This growth is a testament to the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to create a more favorable environment for commercial activity. The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center played a pivotal role in facilitating this expansion, providing over 2.9 million services to business entities during the same period.
The services offered by the Center encompassed various aspects of business operations, including company establishment, licensing, and tax services. The Center's network has also expanded, now boasting 21 branches across 16 cities, including new branches in Makkah and Arar. This strategic expansion underscores the Center's commitment to delivering government services related to the business sector across the Kingdom.
By offering access to approximately 4,800 services through its integration with 80 government agencies, the Center has streamlined the processes for businesses, enabling them to efficiently navigate regulatory requirements. Saudi Arabia's commitment to improving its business environment is evident in its ongoing efforts to enhance its international competitiveness ranking.
In the 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook, published by the IMD, Saudi Arabia ranked 13th globally and third among G20 countries. This impressive achievement is attributed to over 1,000 reforms implemented in coordination with government agencies, aimed at simplifying procedures and enhancing the efficiency of business operations.
The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center remains at the forefront of these efforts, continuously working to develop the business environment by providing valuable data on economic activities, addressing the concerns of the private sector, and collaborating with relevant authorities to overcome challenges.
Written by urgent.news from Saudi Gazette's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
