Business registrations in Saudi Arabia experienced a significant 48% increase in the first quarter of 2025, with 154,638 new commercial records issued. This data, provided by the Ministry of Commerce, highlights the importance of commercial registration certificates for legal business operations in the Kingdom. These certificates are essential for opening bank accounts, hiring employees, and signing contracts.
Most of these registrations, 71% to be precise, were concentrated in Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province. This growth aligns with recent reforms in Saudi Arabia’s business registration system, including the new Commercial Register Law and Trade Names Law, which have simplified the process by eliminating subsidiary registers and allowing a single, nationwide registration.
A ministry report emphasized the potential in promising sectors identified by Saudi Vision 2030, such as technology, tourism, and entertainment, which offer growth opportunities for both local and foreign businesses. Notably, 45% of the commercial records issued to institutions are owned by women.
E-commerce also saw a 6% rise, with 41,322 permits issued in the first quarter. Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province lead in these registrations. Cloud computing registrations jumped by 33%, with 3,278 permits issued, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s aim to become a technology hub by 2030. This growth is supported by the government’s focus on digital technologies and economic diversification.
Virtual and augmented reality technologies also gained traction, with a 39% increase and 8,218 permits issued in the first quarter. Riyadh again led in registrations, followed by Makkah and the Eastern Province.