Saudi Roundup: Maritime Fleet Expansion, Tourism Growth & AI Investment

This week's Saudi Roundup highlights groundbreaking energy partnerships, a 32% surge in maritime fleet expansion, and record-breaking commercial registrations in Q4 2025.

General Economy & Business

Saudi Economy To Grow By 4.5% In 2026

Saudi Arabia's economy is projected to grow by approximately 4.5% in 2026, driven by higher oil production and strong domestic demand linked to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 reforms. This comes as the Kingdom continues to push forward with economic diversification efforts, spending heavily in sectors including infrastructure, real estate, and tourism to develop projects and support the growth of its non-oil economy.

Energy

TrinaSolar Advances Clean Energy Milestones Through Landmark Collaborations With ACWA Power

TrinaSolar is accelerating its presence in Saudi Arabia through strategic collaborations with ACWA Power, delivering utility-scale solar projects and expanding local manufacturing in support of Vision 2030. The company is deploying high-efficiency Vertex N modules to the 1.15GW Haden Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Plant, set for completion in July 2026 and grid connection in February 2027, making it one of the largest solar initiatives currently under development in the Kingdom.

Industry & Mining

Jazan Region Holds Mining Resources Worth $34 Billion

The mineral resources in Saudi Arabia's Jazan Region are estimated at over $34 billion (SAR127 billion), making it one of the most promising regions for investment in specialized industries. The number of active mining licenses in the region has reached 63, covering a total area of 45.54 sq km, with investments totaling SAR4 billion.

Business Expansions

123,000 New Commercial Registrations In Q4 2025, Bringing Total To Over 1.86 Million

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce issued more than 123,000 new commercial registrations in the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing the total number across the Kingdom to over 1.86 million. Key indicators showed a 20% increase in establishments over the past five years, bringing the total to more than 1.2 million. Limited liability company registers rose by 183% to over 571,000, while joint-stock company registers increased by 50%, reaching 4,733 compared to 2020.

Tourism

Saudi Tourism Sector Booms With 40.6% Surge In Hospitality Establishments, 1 Million Employees

Saudi Arabia's hospitality and tourism sector is witnessing major expansion, with the total number of licensed tourism hospitality facilities reaching 5,622 establishments in Q3 2025, an increase of 40.6% compared to Q3 2024. The total number of workers in tourism activities in Saudi Arabia reached approximately 1,009,691, an increase of 6.4% compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Infrastructure

Saudi Ranks First Globally In Road Network Connectivity Index

Saudi Arabia has ranked first worldwide in the Road Network Connectivity Index, according to a report by the World Competitiveness Forum. The Kingdom also ranked fourth among G20 countries in the Road Infrastructure Quality Index, reflecting continuous development of the road sector. Saudi Arabia boasts an extensive road network whose total length exceeds the Earth's circumference, reaching more than 73,000 km. This extensive network serves as a vital artery, facilitating domestic mobility and connecting the Kingdom with eight neighboring countries.

Financial Markets

Saudi Raises $11.5 Billion From First Bond Issuance Of 2026

The National Debt Management Center announced the completion of investor subscriptions for the first international bond issuance of 2026, with total subscription requests reaching approximately $31 billion, representing an oversubscription of 2.7 times. The bond issuance was executed under the newly unveiled Annual Borrowing Plan, designed to broaden the investor base and efficiently address the Kingdom’s financing requirements through international debt capital markets.

Technology

Saudi Arabia Launches First-Of-Its-Kind AI Venture Fund To Cultivate Tech Champions

Red Sea Global has joined forces with Bunat Ventures to launch a pioneering fund dedicated to artificial intelligence startups in the Kingdom. The new AI venture fund will target early-and growth-stage companies that are either built on AI or use it as a core component of their business. With plans to support around 25 startups over the next three years, the fund offers more than capital, providing selected companies based in Saudi Arabia with access to real-world testing grounds within RSG's expansive operations, including luxury resorts and an international airport.

Logistics & Maritime

Saudi National Maritime Fleet Grows 32% In 2025, 2nd-Fastest Among G20 Nations

Saudi Arabia's national maritime fleet grew 32% in 2025, making the Kingdom second among G20 countries in fleet expansion. The surge reflects the rapid development of the nation's maritime sector, driven by strategic regulatory reforms, increased investment, modernized legislation, and improved fleet efficiency. The growth marks a substantial rise from the 6.4% recorded in early 2024, highlighting the sector's accelerating year-on-year progress.

Saudi Delivery Activity Records 124 Million Orders In Q4 2025, Up 60%

The delivery activity sector in the Kingdom recorded strong performance during the fourth quarter of 2025, with the total number of orders exceeding 124 million across various regions of Saudi Arabia, marking a 60% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

This growth occurs amid the ongoing development of the delivery sector in the Kingdom, supported by innovations in logistics services, the expansion of technological solutions, and an increased reliance on e-commerce.