Saudi Laws Update

  Strategy targets over 220 public-private partnership contracts, more than SR240 billion in private investment by 2030, and tens of thousands of jobs across 18 sectors The strategy targets 18 priority sectors and aims to raise satisfaction levels with public services while creating tens of thousands of specialized jobs.  The strategy targets 18 priority sectors and aims to raise satisfaction levels with public services while creating tens of thousands of specialized jobs.  January 29, 2026 - Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has begun implementing its National Privatization Strategy following Cabinet approval, Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan announced. This marks a new phase aimed at improving infrastructure quality, upgrading public services and expanding private sector participation in economic development. Al-Jadaan, who also chairs the board of the National Center for Privatization, said the strategy received Cabinet approval on Nov. 25, 2025, and aligns...

 The Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday the results of three evaluations covering car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance dealers and distributors, and online stores. The Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday the results of three evaluations covering car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance dealers and distributors, and online stores. January 29, 2026 - Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday the results of three evaluations covering car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance dealers and distributors, and online stores. The ministry explained that these second phases of evaluations aimed to raise the quality of services provided, enhance establishments' compliance with approved standards, and improve the customer experience. It clarified that the car dealership evaluation included 24 dealerships and comprised four main criteria: inventory and reservation data, after-sales services, compliance level...

 The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing had issued 1,239 new group housing licenses and more than 1,000 licenses compliant with Saudi architectural standards during the year 2025. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing had issued 1,239 new group housing licenses and more than 1,000 licenses compliant with Saudi architectural standards during the year 2025. January 29, 2026 -Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing had issued 1,239 new group housing licenses and more than 1,000 licenses compliant with Saudi architectural standards during the year 2025. The ministry revealed that the municipal licensing system continued to develop its procedures through digital channels and approved pathways, with the average license issuance time during 2025 reaching approximately 24 hours. Around 87 percent of licenses were issued within 24 hours or less, according to the approved licensing procedures. This is within the approved municipal licensing system as...

General manager position restricted to only Saudis; Qiwa clarifies January 29, 2026 - Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The Qiwa platform, under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has removed the general manager profession from its records for expatriates, confirming that this profession is restricted to Saudi citizens only. It explained that establishments with employees holding the general manager profession can change this to other professions, such as CEO or chairman of the board, provided that the employee is registered in the commercial registration with the same profession and that there are no other employees with the same profession within the establishment. The Qiwa platform has also begun suspending the service of changing certain professions for expatriate workers. The most prominent of these professions include general manager, sales representative, marketing specialist, and purchase manager. A message, appears for establishments wishing to change their empl...

 Saudi Arabia opens capital market to all foreign investors from Feb. 1, 2026 January 06, 2026, Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced the opening of Saudi Arabia’s capital market to all categories of foreign investors, allowing them to invest directly across all market segments starting Feb. 1, 2026. The decision follows the CMA board’s approval of a new regulatory framework permitting non-resident foreign investors to invest directly in the Main Market, making the capital market accessible to a broad range of global investors. The approved amendments aim to expand and diversify the investor base in the Main Market, support investment inflows and enhance market liquidity. Under the new framework, the CMA has eliminated the concept of the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) in the Main Market, enabling all categories of foreign investors to access the market without the need to meet qualification requirements. The amendments also abolished the regul...

 Public Prosecution warns against cyber harassment crimes Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution warned against the crime of cyber harassment, stressing that any statement, act or gesture of a sexual nature directed at another person that violates their body, honor or modesty constitutes a criminal offense under the law. In a post on its official X account, the Public Prosecution said the crime of harassment includes acts committed through modern technological means, including social media platforms and digital applications, emphasizing the need to comply with regulations and respect societal values. The authority said the Anti-Harassment Law safeguards individual privacy, dignity and personal freedom, as part of broader efforts to protect society and promote positive behavior in the digital space.