The latest

International companies are building broader, longer-term operations in Saudi Arabia as private-sector demand expands beyond the Kingdom’s flagship developments. Sovereign PPG recorded a 114% year-on-year increase in Saudi-related inquiries and expects business leads to more than double in 2026. The pattern spans technology, financial services, manufacturing, construction and healthcare, reflecting a transition from project-focused entry toward serving Saudi customers directly and operating within the domestic economy.

Details

• Sector mix: Almost 84% of Sovereign PPG’s Saudi company registrations in 2026 were concentrated across seven sectors. Technology and software represented nearly 23%, the largest individual category, followed by activity in financial services and fintech, management consulting, legal and professional services, industrial and manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.
• Changing demand: The mix has widened from 2025, when identifiable activity was concentrated more heavily in finance and investment, retail and hospitality, technology, consulting, engineering, energy and shipping. Demand this year has extended into artificial intelligence, automation, oilfield services, mining, healthcare, education and insurance.
• Investor origins: The UK and US generated about 40% of prospects originating outside Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE accounted for just over 21% of total inquiries, while Australia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Pakistan were other key source markets. Companies already operating in Saudi Arabia generated around 7%.
• Execution needs: Inquiries covering payroll, human resources, government liaison, visas, work permits, residency, accounting, taxation and compliance increased 156% year on year. Companies are increasingly focused on the requirements for operating and scaling, including local recruitment, Saudization, regulatory compliance, supply chains, taxation and business continuity.
• AI adoption: Since January, about 15% of Saudi inquiries and client engagements have involved AI and technology, including governance, software, automation, digital compliance, aerospace, advanced engineering and educational technology. More than one-third of companies outside the technology sector are incorporating technology, AI or automation into their operations.
• Megaproject role: James Elliot-Square, commercial director of Sovereign PPG Corporate Services in Saudi Arabia, said broader demand does not diminish the importance of megaprojects and government-related activity. Those investments continue creating opportunities across construction, engineering, technology and professional services, while many providers serve both public and private customers.

Between the lines

Saudi Arabia is increasingly treated as a distinct operating market rather than an extension of regional headquarters in Dubai. Companies are establishing dedicated workforces, regulatory structures and commercial infrastructure while maintaining operations elsewhere in the Gulf.

What’s next

The next indicator will be whether international companies maintain operations through the 2030 Vision deadline by hiring locally, transferring expertise and integrating into Saudi supply chains. Sovereign PPG expects further expansion across technology, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and renewable energy.