Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) – Business Setup

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, founded in 1932, is focused on achieving its goals outlined in the “Vision 2030” initiative. This comprehensive plan aims to transform various sectors, including finance, energy, tourism, entertainment, and healthcare. With over 70,000 registered companies and a population of over 34 million, the country's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia makes it an ideal hub for regional and international trade.

The country has made significant investments in its infrastructure, including transportation networks, logistics hubs, ports, airports, and industrial cities. The well-regulated and stable financial sector, supported by established banks and financial institutions, provides access to various financial services, such as banking, investment, and trade finance, which further support business operations and growth.

The Saudi Arabian economy, the largest in the Middle East and North Africa region, is actively reducing its dependence on oil revenues through the Vision 2030 plan. The government has taken steps to attract foreign investors by simplifying registration processes, offering tax incentives, providing access to land, and developing infrastructure. The Saudi Arabian government has also implemented measures to simplify business processes, strengthen contract enforcement, protect intellectual property rights, and increase transparency, creating a favorable environment for business development and investment.

In a transformative move during the year 2020, SAGIA underwent a complete overhaul, emerging as the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA). This revamped entity is now solely responsible for granting investment licenses to foreign investors and overseeing foreign investment activities in the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) presents an enticing opportunity for foreign investors to establish a Limited Liability Company (LLC) within the KSA without the need for a local partner, while also facing minimal government restrictions. To operate with 100% foreign ownership in Saudi Arabia, obtaining the MISA registration/license is a prerequisite for any business venture.

The MISA Investor License empowers entrepreneurs with full ownership of their businesses, granting them the freedom to operate seamlessly across Saudi Arabia. The nature of your economic activities determines the specific license required for your business.

The array of available activities spans various sectors, with professional service activities (non-trading) being open to 100% ownership by expatriates. Similarly, trading activities can also be fully owned, provided a minimum paid-up share capital is furnished.

Before completing the company formation process, the paid-up share capital must be deposited into a corporate bank account within Saudi Arabia. The amount of paid-up capital needed varies depending on the type of license and the nature of the business activities. For instance, a service professional license necessitates a deposit of USD 150,000, while a Trading license requires USD 8 million along with 25% Saudi national ownership.

Operating under the MISA License, businesses are subject to a corporate income tax rate of 20%, while withholding tax ranges from 5% to 20%. Additionally, a value-added tax (VAT) rate of 5% applies to eligible transactions.

The MISA / SAGIA setup presents an attractive proposition for foreign investors seeking to explore the promising landscape of Saudi Arabia's business opportunities. With streamlined procedures and more liberal ownership regulations, the Kingdom is embracing a new era of investment facilitation, inviting entrepreneurs from around the globe to participate in its economic growth story.