Saudi Laws Update

October 17, 2025 Saudi Arabia begins second phase of localization for four health professions Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the implementation of the second phase of the decision to raise Saudization rates for four health professions in the private sector. The decision takes effect Oct. 17, 2025, in line with the approved professional definitions and classifications. Under the new regulation, clinical nutrition and physical therapy professions are required to achieve an 80% Saudization rate, medical laboratories 70%, and radiology 65%. The minimum salary for specialists has been set at SR7,000, and for technicians at SR5,000. The decision applies to all private health facilities across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has made procedural guidelines available on its website, outlining implementation details and Saudization ratios, and urged est...

 From fraud to foresight: How AI is redefining forensics in Saudi Arabia Proactive risk management is replacing reactive crisis response in Kingdom’s corporate culture ALKHOBAR: As Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 accelerates, the Kingdom’s rapid transformation is exposing organizations to new layers of forensic risk — from AI-driven cyberattacks to complex compliance demands.  Regional data shows that while opportunities are booming, vulnerabilities are growing just as fast. Saudi Arabia’s decade of transformation is compressing decades of progress into a few short years, creating both immense opportunity and unprecedented forensic challenges. AI is transforming the forensic landscape, helping investigators detect fraud, cyberattacks, and compliance risks faster and with greater precision across Saudi Arabia’s digital economy. (StockCake) According to PwC’s Capital Projects and Infrastructure Survey 2025 (Middle East), 63 percent of executives in the region reported cost overruns o...

 Fintech and AI dominate MENA startup funding Founded in 2022 by Salem Abu-Hammour, Faris Yaghmour, Abdulmalik Al-Meheini, and Youssef Said, erad offers Shariah-compliant, data-driven financing solutions. (Supplied) Startups secure new backing to accelerate growth, scale technologies RIYADH: Startup funding activity across the Middle East and North Africa region continues to show resilience, with fintech and artificial intelligence-focused ventures drawing significant investor interest.  From early-stage rounds to global expansion plays, startups across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, and Tunisia have secured new backing to accelerate growth, scale technologies, and strengthen digital infrastructure.  Saudi Arabia-based fintech startup erad has secured $33 million in debt financing, marking Indian venture debt firm Stride Ventures’ first investment in the Kingdom.  The transaction, closed during Money20/20 Riyadh, included participation from other undisclosed investor...

 Saudi Kafalah program boosts SME financing 8% to $3.73bn in Q3 Established in 2006 as a non-profit government initiative, Kafalah helps SMEs secure financing to develop and  RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises Financing Guarantee Program, known as Kafalah, extended 5,447 assurances, boosting small-business funding by 8 percent year on year in the third quarter to SR14 billion ($3.73 billion).  The value of guarantees reached SR10.6 billion, up 4 percent from the same period in 2024, while 4,384 small and medium enterprises benefited from the program’s services, the Saudi Press Agency reported.   This underscores the program’s growing role in supporting small businesses as the Kingdom pursues economic diversification under Vision 2030.  Quoting Homam Hashem, CEO of the Kafalah program, SPA reported that this growth in financing “reflects the pivotal role of SMEs in supporting national economic growth, and their contribution to achieving the ...

 Maximum fine of SR25,000 for unlicensed subdivision of buildings October 16, 2025, Saudi Gazette report The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing noted that the practice of subdividing of buildings into units illegally impacts negatively the urban fabric of cities, causing a disturbing increase in population density, and directly impacting basic services and parking spaces on the streets surrounding these buildings. RIYADH — Fines ranging between SR5000 and SR25,000 will be slapped on landlords for subdividing a building into units in violation of the building permit. The violators are obligated to remove the violation at their own expense. This is among the provisions of the updated regulations pertaining to penalties for municipal violations approved by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The ministry’s move comes as part of its efforts to regulate the urban environment, ensure the safety of facilities, and adhere to approved municipal regulations and licenses. In cases...

 REGA initiates legal action against violators of real estate regulations October 16, 2025 The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has initiated legal action against a number of landlords for violating real estate regulations in Riyadh. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) has initiated legal action against a number of landlords for violating real estate regulations in Riyadh. This was after detecting several violations of regulations governing landlord-tenant relationships during the past period. This is part of REGA’s ongoing oversight efforts to ensure compliance with real estate regulations and legislation and achieve balance in the rental market. The authority said that the total number of complaints received accounted for 268 and the supporting documents were completed for 250 of them, while 18 landlords were monitored for violating the regulations. It noted that the monitored violations include raising the rental value in the city of Riyadh...

 Public Prosecution: Defaming others via technology is a cybercrime October 16, 2025 The Saudi Public Prosecution emphasized that defaming or harming others via technology is a cybercrime that warrants accountability. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Public Prosecution emphasized that defaming or harming others via technology is a cybercrime that warrants accountability. It threatened to impose the statutory penalties stipulated in the Anti-Cybercrime Law against the violators of the law. The Public Prosecution stressed that the law protects privacy and safeguards rights, and criminalizes any unlawful use of technology to offend or spread harmful content, as part of its efforts to protect the digital community from behavioral and media violations. According to Article 3 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law, anyone who commits an act that affects the privacy or reputation of others, or who misuses mobile phones and modern technology devices, shall be punished by imprisonment for a peri...

New amendments to Precious Metals and Gemstones Law take effect October 16, 2025 The Ministry of Commerce will oversee the trade in precious metals, gemstones, and their artifacts, as well as items plated, coated, and inlaid with them, in addition to overseeing their sales outlets. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the implementation of the Cabinet decision with regard to approving amendments to several articles of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law, effective from Saturday, October 11. As per the amendments, the Ministry of Commerce will oversee the trade in precious metals, gemstones, and their artifacts, as well as items plated, coated, and inlaid with them, in addition to overseeing their sales outlets. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources will oversee the manufacture of these products and monitor industrial facilities. The Cabinet decision includes the transfer of all responsibilities relate...