This week’s Saudi Round-Up spotlights surging industrial output, record real estate growth, and breakthroughs in AI, space, and logistics.
General Business and Economy
Non-Oil Private Sector Expands in July
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector maintained its expansion throughout July, supported by consistent domestic demand and solid employment growth. Companies responded to increased workloads by expanding their workforce, demonstrating confidence in sustained business prospects.
This growth pattern directly supports the Kingdom’s economic diversification objectives under Vision 2030.
Premium Residency Sees Over 40,000 Applications in 18 Months
Between January 2024 and July 2025, Saudi Arabia received 40,163 Premium Residency applications, with 8,074 permits issued in 2024 alone. The majority, 5,578, fell under the “exceptional competence” category, followed by “talent” and other investor-focused pathways like real estate and entrepreneurship.
Offering benefits like visa-free re-entry, property ownership, and exemption from expat fees, the scheme strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional magnet for skilled professionals and global investors under Vision 2030.
Aviation
Riyadh Air Signs Global Distribution Deal With Amadeus
Riyadh Air partnered with Amadeus to access over 190 international markets via its travel platform, just ahead of its first commercial flights. The agreement improves global visibility and sales reach, supporting Riyadh Air’s aim to fly to over 100 destinations by 2030.
With more than 180 aircraft on order, the airline is positioned to boost connectivity, create 200,000 jobs, and add over $20 billion to non-oil GDP.
Banking & Finance
Individual Investment Portfolios Surge 13.5% in Q1 2025
Individual portfolios in Saudi Arabia’s stock market climbed 13.5% year-on-year to exceed 13.5 million accounts. Active investor participation rose by 7.7%, encompassing 6.76 million individuals who demonstrate growing confidence in domestic capital markets.
This surge represents a significant milestone in Vision 2030’s financial sector development strategy, creating a more diverse and inclusive investor ecosystem.
Saudi Stock Market May Fully Open to Global Investors
Authorities are examining proposals to open Saudi Arabia’s stock market to all international investors, expanding beyond the recent decision to allow GCC residents direct trading access regardless of relocation status. Foreign investors already constitute a record 35% of equity purchases in Q2 2025, indicating strong international appetite for Saudi assets.
This potential liberalization would diversify capital sources, strengthen IPO pipelines, and enhance global confidence in the Kingdom’s financial markets.
Hospitality
Adeera to Operate Hotel Portfolio Across Qiddiya City
Qiddiya Investment Company has secured Adeera Hospitality, backed by the Public Investment Fund, to manage three distinct hotel brands, Alia, Sama, and Noor, throughout Qiddiya City. Each brand strategically combines authentic Saudi cultural elements with contemporary service standards.
This partnership strengthens Qiddiya’s development as a premier global tourism destination while advancing Vision 2030’s hospitality sector expansion goals through job creation and heritage showcase opportunities.
Infrastructure
Tabuk Region Launches $1.01 Billion in New Projects
Tabuk inaugurated 23 development projects worth $1.01 billion (SAR 3.8 billion) and laid foundations for 25 more valued at $154.6 million (SAR 580 million). Key works include desalination plants producing up to 93,500 m³/day, over 723,000 meters of new water and sewage lines, large-scale storage tanks, and wastewater reuse for agriculture.
These projects directly improve quality of life, protect resources, and align with Vision 2030’s environmental, agricultural, and infrastructure goals.
Maritime
Saudi Ports Container Volumes Rise 12% in July
Saudi ports handled 722,502 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, up 12.01% year-on-year, driven by a 35.34% surge in transshipment volumes to 175,666 TEUs. Export containers rose 12.86% to 275,098 TEUs, while imports remained steady at 271,738 TEUs.
A $133.2 million (SAR 500 million) bunkering hub in Yanbu was also announced to enhance fuel storage, attract more vessels, and boost competitiveness in global shipping.
$133 Million Refueling Hub Launched at Yanbu’s King Fahad Industrial Port
A $133 million (SAR 500 million) ship refueling hub will be built at King Fahad Industrial Port, developed over 110,700 m² through a 20-year lease. The project includes fuel storage tanks and bunkering services to support growing maritime traffic.
The facility complements the port’s 210 million-ton capacity, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a major Red Sea logistics gateway.
Real Estate
Owners’ Associations Grow 185% in First Half of 2025
Renewals of Owners’ Association certificates through the Mullak portal surged 185% in the first half of 2025, reaching over 635 renewals. The period also saw 3,600 new associations, covering more than 9,000 real estate units, bringing the total to 17,000 associations and over 160,000 registered members.
This digital growth strengthens the real estate sector’s governance, enhances property rights protection, and fosters efficient, sustainable management in line with Vision 2030’s urban development goals.
Space & Research
Earth Observation Data Marketplace Launches in Saudi Arabia
Neo Space Group launched Saudi Arabia’s first Earth Observation Marketplace, offering advanced geospatial and satellite imagery through its fully owned UP42 platform. The platform is designed to serve both public and private users by improving access to real-time, high-resolution satellite data.
It supports data-driven decision-making in national development, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to boost infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation at scale.
Technology
Digital Experience Index Hits 86.7% Across Government Platforms
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Experience Maturity Index reached 86.71%, positioning the Kingdom at an advanced level of digital transformation. The evaluation covered 50 platforms across usability, satisfaction, and tech adoption, with top scores from Absher, Tawakkalna, and Etimad.
Public engagement rose sharply, with over 374,000 participants and the inclusion of digital inclusivity scoring at 75.3%. This reflects increasing accessibility and trust in digital government services, supporting Vision 2030’s emphasis on streamlined, citizen-centric governance.
HUMAIN Deploys OpenAI Models on Groq Platform in Saudi Arabia
HUMAIN fully deployed OpenAI’s latest open-source models, gpt-oss-120B and gpt-oss-20B, on Groq’s high-speed inference platform within Saudi-based sovereign AI data centers. This ensures local data sovereignty and regulatory compliance for all AI operations.
The models deliver high-speed processing, up to 1,000 tokens per second, and offer real-time tools for developers, enterprises, and public institutions. The move strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional AI leader and a global digital innovation hub.
Tourism & Culture
Saudi Arabia Introduces Tourist VAT Refund Scheme
Saudi Arabia has rolled out a VAT refund program for non-resident tourists and GCC nationals, allowing them to reclaim 15% VAT on purchases from over 1,440 approved retailers. Travelers can receive refunds by card or cash, with a daily cash cap of $1,333 (SAR 5,000).
The initiative is designed to boost tourism-related retail spending, make shopping in the Kingdom more competitive, and support Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a top global travel destination.