Saudi Roundup: Privatization Drive, Aviation Boom & Food Exports
This week, the Saudi Roundup covers the launch of a national privatization push, new mining sites, and a digital real estate portal for businesses.
General Economy & Business
Saudi Launches National Privatization Strategy To Boost Private Sector Role
Saudi Arabia has begun implementing its National Privatization Strategy following Cabinet approval. The strategy, which received Cabinet approval on November 25, 2025, marks a new phase aimed at improving infrastructure quality, upgrading public services, and expanding private sector participation in economic development. The strategy targets 18 priority sectors and aims to raise satisfaction levels with public services while creating tens of thousands of specialized jobs. It seeks to exceed 220 signed public-private partnership contracts by 2030 and attract more than SR240 billion in private sector capital investment by the end of the decade.
Saudi Arabia Raises Saudization Rate To 55% For Dental Professions In Private Sector
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the start of the second phase of the decision to raise Saudization rates for dental professions in the private sector. The second phase applies to all private sector establishments with three or more employees in dental specialties, with a Saudization rate of 55%. A Saudi dentist will be counted in the Saudization Nitaqat program only if the monthly salary registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance is not less than SR9,000, and they possess a valid professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
Saudi Arabia Approves 3,484 Entities For Special Talent Premium Residency Program
Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency Center has approved 3,484 private-sector entities whose employees may qualify for the Special Talent Premium Residency, provided they meet the program's eligibility requirements. The Special Talent product targets high-caliber professionals in scientific, administrative, and research fields whose skills and experience can help strengthen local capabilities and promote knowledge transfer. The program has two main tracks: researchers and scientific or health talents requiring a minimum monthly salary of SR14,000, and scientific and health professionals requiring a minimum of SR35,000.
Saudi Specialized Building Cleaning Business Grows 31% In 2025
The specialized building cleaning business in Saudi Arabia, which includes the cleaning of windows and facades of residential and commercial towers, grew by 31% in 2025, supported by rapid urban transformation in major cities and a boom in tower construction. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, the total number of commercial registrations for specialized building cleaning activities increased from 11,415 at the end of 2024 to 14,981 by the end of November 2025.
Real Estate Registry Launches Digital Portal For Business Sector
Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Registry (RER) has announced the launch of the "Real Estate Registry Portal – Business," an integrated digital destination designed to provide comprehensive real estate services to the business sector. This initiative is part of the RER's Ashal strategy, which aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, achieve sustainable growth, and empower partnerships across all components of the real estate sector.
Financial Markets
FDI In Saudi Arabia Up 10%, Hits $280 Billion
Foreign direct investments in Saudi Arabia reached SR1.05 trillion ($280 billion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025, marking a 10% annual increase. Total foreign investments in the Kingdom increased by 17% year-on-year to reach SR3.2 trillion. The increase reflects the Kingdom's broader efforts to attract long-term foreign capital under its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil revenues and targets $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030.
Aviation
Saudi Civil Aviation Sector Posts 9% Growth As Passengers Exceed 140 Million
The Saudi civil aviation sector recorded sharp expansion in 2025, with passenger traffic exceeding 140 million, up about 9% from a year earlier. The year saw an expansion in global connectivity, with international destinations increasing to 176, while Saudi Arabia remained home to three of the world's busiest air routes.
The year saw further strengthening of the competitive environment through the approval of new national carriers such as Riyadh Air and the Air Arabia alliance, as well as the licensing of major international companies, including FedEx and Swissport.
Mega Projects & Development
New Murabba Seeks Contractors For Mukaab Towers Fit-Outs
The PIF-backed New Murabba Development Co. has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and off-site fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development. The RFI, released on January 26 with submissions due by February 11, seeks experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.
NMDC is preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works, following the completion of early works last year. Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract to provide design and construction technical support as the lead design consultant for infrastructure.
Industry & Manufacturing
Saudi Food Exports Grow By 60% In Four Years
Saudi food exports have grown by approximately 60% over the past four years, rising from SR13 billion ($3.4 billion) in 2021 to SR22 billion by the end of last year. The number of factories in the Saudi food industry has reached approximately 1,900, with the size of the sector estimated at around SR200 billion, making it the second largest industrial sector in the Kingdom in terms of employment. Worth noting that the Kingdom has achieved high self-sufficiency rates with poultry at 75%, red meat at 57%, and fish at 60%.
Siniora Food Industries Inaugurates New Jeddah Manufacturing Plant
Siniora Food Industries has officially inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Jeddah. The first phase of the plant was established on a built-up area of 11,500 square meters, with an annual production capacity of up to 10,000 tons of products, utilizing the latest technologies in accordance with the highest global standards. The project is expected to create around 300 job opportunities.
Saudi Offers 11 Mining Sites In Eastern Province To Boost Investment
Saudi Arabia has opened 11 mining sites at the Eastern Province's Al-Summan Crushers Complex for competitive bidding, boosting investment, governance, and local community development. The sites are designated for the extraction of aggregates and crusher materials, covering 9 sq. km.
Applications will be accepted from February 15 to March 5 via the Ta'adeen digital platform. The initiative forms part of the Kingdom's drive to establish mining as the third pillar of its industrial economy, alongside oil and petrochemicals, leveraging mineral wealth now estimated at SR9.37 trillion ($2.5 trillion), a 90% increase from 2016 estimates of SR5 trillion.
Gaming
Savvy Games, Neom Team Up To Boost Saudi Gaming Startups
Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group and Neom have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the Kingdom's gaming startups throughout their journey from incubation to acceleration. The agreement formalizes a coordinated approach between Savvy's Nine66 Incubator Program and Neom's Level Up Accelerator, ensuring startups graduating from Savvy's Incubator have the training, resources, and support required to progress into Neom's Accelerator. The latter has facilitated the Kingdom's first international publishing deal for a domestic gaming startup, signed between Fahy Studio and UK-based publisher Kwalee.
Infrastructure & Development
Makkah Deputy Emir Launches SR2.5 Billion Industrial Projects In Jeddah
Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal launched 17 development projects in the industrial cities of Jeddah and the Second Industrial City of Makkah with a total value exceeding SR2.5 billion. The projects include the development of infrastructure networks across an area exceeding 11 million sq. meters, the construction of 160 new ready-built factories, the implementation of water transmission pipelines and expansion of a water station, and the establishment of a quality laboratory within the food cluster.
Saudi Water Transmission Company Issues Tender For Sharaan Wellfield Expansion In Al-Ula
Saudi Arabia's Water Transmission Company (WTCO) has issued a tender for an engineering, procurement, and construction contract to develop and expand the Sharaan Wellfield in Al-Ula in the Madinah province. The tender was released on January 22, 2026, with bid submissions due by February 15, 2026.
The scope is divided into two main stages: the pre-expansion phase covers rehabilitation and upgrading of infrastructure at 13 operating wells, including replacement of diesel generators, enhancement of the fuel system and electrical retrofitting, with each well equipped with a dedicated generator for continuous 24/7 operation.