While it is common knowledge that laws in the Middle East include restrictions on foreign parties doing business that do not apply to citizens, progress has been made in recent years to facilitate foreign investment and participation in businesses in the region. Kuwait was a pioneer in this regard, with the promulgation of the Foreign Direct Investment Law in 2014, which has since been replicated in…
In recent years Saudi Arabia has committed to a series of wide-ranging reforms that aim to diversify the economy; foster a more open and connected society; and establish a transparent, efficient and accountable government under the country’s Vision 2030 strategic framework. With those objectives in mind, there have been numerous legislative developments related to real estate, foreign investment,…
Viewpoint: Eyad Reda Over the past five years Saudi Arabia has witnessed unprecedented legal, social and economic reforms. Such reforms extended to the public sector’s operating model, the economy and society as a whole, and the foundations have been laid for future success. There have been calls for legal and judicial reforms before, but now the Kingdom appears determined to heed those calls by…
With increasing oil and gas prices and an expanding non-oil sector, Saudi Arabia has been logging record trade surpluses in recent years, while securing government revenue for future investment. The Kingdom is expected to be among the fastest-growing economies in the G20 in 2022 – and was on track to fulfil that forecast by the middle of the year. Indeed, in the first three months of 2022 G
In recent years Saudi Arabia has committed to a series of wide-ranging reforms that aim to diversify the economy; foster a more open and connected society; and establish a transparent, efficient and accountable government under the country’s Vision 2030 strategic framework. With those objectives in mind, there have been numerous legislative developments related to real estate, foreign investment,…
In this Global Platform video, Eyad Reda, managing partner of the Eyad Reda Law Firm, shares an overview of recent legal changes and targeted areas of reform to improve the experience of international investors and strengthen the local business environment. Financial technology (fintech), data protection and the digital economy are areas set for improved regulations in the years to 2030.
In this Global Platform video, Zeyad Khoshaim, managing partner at Khoshaim & Associates, talks about the significant reforms that are set to boost foreign investment and encourage local players in the Kingdom. The reforms have permitted international and local investors to participate in a growing number of commercial activities. In addition, Saudi Arabia allows trade activities in areas such
Reforms and initiatives under Vision 2030 have led to an increasing number of international investors tapping into Saudi Arabia’s more open and streamlined business environment, with significant growth opportunities identified across a range of non-oil sectors. Indeed, this was reflected in Saudi Arabia being the most-improved country on the World Bank’s 2020 ease of doing business index. The
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) approved updated corporate governance regulations (CGRs) for joint-stock companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in February 2017, and amended them in May 2019. The new CGRs reflect efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the Saudi exchange to investors. The regulations set standards for best corporate practices by promoting accountability,…
Viewpoint:Zeyad Khoshaim In 2016 Saudi Arabia launched its ambitious economic transformation plan, Vision 2030. The long-term Vision 2030 involves diversifying the Saudi Arabian economy by steering the country away from its traditional dependence on oil. The ambition and scope of Vision 2030 is unprecedented, and the plan will promote the Kingdom’s regional, cultural and religious significance…