FAQs

FAQs

Investing in Saudi Arabia

  • Why should investors choose Saudi Arabia?                 

     For many excellent reasons detailed in this website, including KSA's: strategic location; abundant natural resources, raw materials and energy; large market and easy access to the wider Middle East-North Africa (MENA) market; trained, committed workforce; advanced infrastructure; attractive incentives; and first-rate pre-investment support and aftercare.
  • What do foreign investors think of Saudi Arabia?

     A lot - KSA is MENA's top destination for foreign direct investment, and is eighth in the world.
  • How easy is it to do business in KSA?

    Very easy - according to the World Bank, KSA is the best country in MENA, and the 11th-best of 181 countries worldwide, for overall ease of doing business.
  • Is investing in KSA safe?

    Compared with elsewhere, very safe - KSA has a stable political system, healthy public finances and the world's third most stable macroeconomic environment.

 The Industrial Clusters program

  • Who sponsors Industrial Clusters?

    Industrial Clusters has been authorised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) Council of Ministers and is fully supported by the Government. The program is supervised by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. 
  • What are its aims?

    Industrial Clusters is catalysing the development of five industrial sectors (automotive, minerals and metal processing, solar energy, plastics and packaging, and home appliances), aiming to diversify the economy and create and sustain high-quality jobs.
  • Why invest in KSA's Industrial Clusters?

    Because of their huge potential. Importantly they all use - and will make the most of - KSA's plentiful natural resources, raw materials and energy. 
  • Who does Industrial Clusters work with?

    Many government ministries, government agencies and companies, but particularly with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MinPet), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MOCI), Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Industrial Land Property Authority (Modon) and Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).

 Visiting KSA

  • What is the dialling code for KSA?

    The international dialling code is +966. Area codes include 1 for Riyadh, 2 for Jeddah and 3 for Dammam.
  • Is Saudi Arabia easy to reach?

    KSA has some of the best-connected airports in MENA. A total of 44.3 million passengers used Saudi airports in 2009, up from 29.8 million in 2001.
  • What are KSA's largest cities?

    The capital, Riyadh, is home to 5.3 million of KSA's 27.3 million people. Riyadh is followed by Jeddah (3.5 million people), Mecca (1.7 million), Medina (1.2 million), Dammam (903,000), Ta'if, Buraydah, Tabuk, Abha, Khamis Mushait and Khobar.
  • How can I obtain a visa for Saudi Arabia?

    You should obtain an entry visa through KSA's foreign diplomatic missions or appropriate entry point (go to 'consular services' at www.mofa.gov.sa and submit the electronic application form).
  • What is the Saudi currency?

    It's the Saudi Riyal (SAR), which is pegged to the US dollar and worth around $0.27 ($1 = SR3.75). The Riyal is subdivided into 100 Halalas.
  • What time is it in Saudi Arabia?

    KSA is GMT + 3 hours.
  • What languages are spoken?

    The official language is Arabic. English is often used in business and in some universities and colleges.
  • What are typical working hours?

    For the public sector, 7.30am - 2.30pm; for most of the private sector, 8.30am-12pm and 4.30pm - 7.30pm; and for banks, 8.30am - 4.30pm. The working week runs from Saturday to Wednesday (and Thursday morning for companies). The weekend comprises Thursday and Friday.
  • Can I use credit cards in Saudi Arabia?

    Credit cards are accepted in most major hotels, restaurants and stores.
  • Can I use my ATM card?

    Yes, cash machines accept cards from all over the world, using systems such as Cirrus and Plus.
  • Where can I find out more?

    You could start by visiting:
    KSA e-gate: www.saudi.gov.sa
     Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.mofa.gov.sa
     Central Department of Statistics & Information: www.cdsi.gov.sa
     Saudi Tourism: www.sauditourism.com.sa/en/

 Living in KSA

  • Who are the expatriates in KSA?

    KSA's community of 8 million expatriates includes people from Australia, Canada, Egypt, Germany, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK and the US.
  • What does 'tax-free income' mean?

    No income tax is deducted in KSA and there is no sales tax.
  • How is the social life in KSA?

    Like anywhere else in the world, it is what you make of it.
  • What types of sports are available?

    Tennis, soccer, squash and much else, or you could try more unusual sports such as 'hash harrier' running in the desert. There are fitness clubs and, additionally for women, women's clubs such as Canadian Women of Riyadh and American Women of Riyadh.
  • What can I buy in stores?

    Most items in North America and Europe are also available in KSA, apart from prohibited products such as alcohol, pork and pornography.
    Retail outlets include pharmacies (many pharmaceuticals can be obtained over the counter), designer boutiques, tailors' shops and electronics stores.
    Expatriates often enjoy jewellery shopping in the gold souqs and many leave KSA with a sizeable gold collection.
  • What about food?

    In Saudi Arabia expatriates can go on a culinary world tour. In addition to Middle Eastern cuisine (with dishes such as tabouleh, hummus, pitta and baba ghanoush), there is Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, Mexican, Turkish and Indian. American chains include McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin' Donuts and Dairy Queen. In KSA alcohol and pork products are not permitted.
  • What English-language newspapers are available?

    There are three daily English-language papers: Arab News, Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily.
  • What does the Saudi flag symbolise?

    The two crossed swords symbolise strength and justice, and the palm tree above, prosperity.