Saudi Arabia as a part of your growth strategy
With globalization and the ever-increasing integration of markets, it’s expected that companies are expanding internationally, now, more than ever. The development of technology, improved transportation, and the mature internet have allowed companies to expand to countries in all corners of the world. Recently, in Saudi Arabia, King Salman’s Vision 2030 has been a catalyst for change, overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed. The modernizing and innovative reforms have helped transition the country from being esoteric to an accessible nation for foreign investors.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has brought numerous reforms to the country to allow it to compete in the global economy and counteract the falling oil prices, the main income stream the nation has long been built on. Considering this, the nation has still managed to remain in the top 20 economies in the world and the largest in the MENA region.
Expanding into Saudi Arabia is an opportunity many companies have taken, with many gaps in the market due to their previously oil-dependent economy. The market displays many possibilities for foreign investors as the Kingdom has a young population, an attractive market for foreign investors, and business opportunities that the government encourages foreign investors to fill.
Considering the opportunities, how can your company utilize these in its growth strategy?
Reforms
The reforms the Saudi government has implemented have been to create an attractive market for foreign investors, one of the Vision 2030 goals. Recently, we have seen reforms that challenge the social and economic standards of the nation, pushing the Kingdom beyond strict norms.
Notably, the lift of the driving ban on women meant that their participation in the workforce has continued to increase as they have easy access to transport. It has also shown positive effects on the economy by reducing the unemployment of women and creating new opportunities for economic growth.
The privatization plan is a government scheme to encourage foreign investors to actively participate in economic growth by privatizing government entities. In this program, companies were able to purchase government entities, some with full control and others on a long-term contract basis.
Additionally, the introduction of the bankruptcy law and the government creating easier requirements to enter the Kingdom through implementing online licenses and permits and faster processes have all assisted companies moving into the Kingdom.
Business opportunities
The opportunities available in the Kingdom are growing as the government expands its efforts to reach the goal of becoming a diverse economy. The National Transformation Plan’s (NTP) objectives have a timeline until 2020 and opportunities available include:
- Healthcare – the government SR29 billion on the restructuring of primary health care, establishing private-public partnerships, privatizing one of the Saudi medical cities, and localization of the pharmaceutical industry. Foreign investors are being encouraged to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in the Kingdom.
- Transport – the Ministry of Transportation will invest SR5.5 billion into private sector operation and maintenance concession contracts and develop an integrated program that will increase the efficiency of ports
- Water – the government will spend SR12.9 billion on water desalination partnership projects and ensure all cities have access to The National Water Company’s services.
- Education – the government will invest SR24 billion to encourage private sector investment in public education.
Future of Saudi
We can expect continued growth and development in the Kingdom as they seek to create a “leading nation in all aspects”, in the words of King Salman. As the Kingdom continues to implement reforms, we can expect to see an emphasis on SMEs, as they currently aren’t large contributors to the GDP, but are important elements for economic growth, creating jobs, boosting exports, and supporting innovation.
The government will also support the future of entrepreneurs with business-friendly regulations, access to funding, international partnerships, and access to government tenders. Additionally, public-private partnerships will be supported by the government.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is now easier to expand into and with legitimate opportunities for foreign investors, it has proven to be the first choice for many companies expanding in the MENA region. Are your company using Saudi Arabia as a part of its growth strategy and taking advantage of the opportunities available in this growing nation?
If you would like support expanding into Saudi Arabia, contact us at +966 11 411 1127 or [email protected].
KSA
Moon tower 3rd Floor
7586 King Fahd road, Riyadh
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
UAE
Office 3601, JBC 1,
Cluster G, JLT,
Dubai
Phone: +971 44 508 208
Canada
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801
Toronto, Ontario
Tel. +1 416 214 6888
Kuwait
Osama Building, Office 2,
AL-Qibla Block 11,
Fahed AL- Salem Street
India
No. 500 Hegde Nagar
Main road, Dr. Shivarama
karanth Nagar,
Bangalore 560077.
Phone: +91 804 394 4873
Egypt
ResCo-Work08, Namaa
Building, 5th Floor,
Emtedad Ramses,
6th district, Nasr City,
Cairo
- KSA
-
Moon tower 3rd Floor
7586 King Fahd road, Riyadh
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
- UAE
-
Office 3601, JBC 1,
Cluster G, JLT, Dubai
Phone: +971 44 508 208
- Kuwait
-
Osama Building, Office 2,
AL-Qibla Block 11,
Fahed AL- Salem Street
- Canada
-
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801
Toronto, Ontario
Tel. +1 416 214 6888
- India
-
No.500 Hegde Nagar Main road, Dr. shivarama karanth Nagar,
Bangalore 560077.
Phone: +91 804 394 4873
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]
India
Phone: +966 11 411 1127
E-mail: [email protected]