SAUDI ARABIA: On Friday, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA) launched a major campaign to elevate the Kingdom’s investment appeal, working closely with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The initiative provides a bundle of incentives—ranging from customs and tax exemptions to simplified visa procedures and regulatory streamlining.

ECZA Secretary General Nabil Khojah emphasized that cross-government partnerships are central to building a competitive, investor-friendly environment.

The campaign targets investors in key sectors like logistics, manufacturing, and technology, offering tailor-made advantages in the SEZs. Notably, foreign professionals will benefit from relaxed financial equivalence requirements, further opening the door for international talent.

In a significant step toward legal reform, the Ministry of Justice and the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration will establish specialized arbitration and reconciliation centers within SEZs, modelled on international standards to ensure faster and more transparent dispute resolution.

Additionally, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) are partnering with ECZA to reduce regulatory bottlenecks and simplify entry for goods and services into the Kingdom.

Digital transformation also plays a major role in the campaign. The ECZA’s upgraded One-Stop-Shop portal is designed to connect investors with all relevant government agencies through a single platform, expediting licensing and operational processes. Enhanced data-sharing between agencies is expected to further boost transparency and the ease of doing business.

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