In a recent announcement by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia will have four new Special Economic Zones, providing international companies with attractive incentives that cover both fiscal and non-fiscal support. The strategically designed zones will be King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) SEZ, Jazan SEZ, Ras AlKhair SEZ, and Cloud Computing’ SEZ, which will be located in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).
Foreign companies entering the SEZs can take advantage of competitive corporate tax rates, duty-free imports of machinery and raw materials, 100% foreign ownership, seamless set-up procedures, and the flexibility in employing foreign labour. The new SEZs will solidify and promote Saudi Arabia’s position as a global business hub, and will contribute immensely in realising Saudi Arabia’s economic development goals under its Vision 2030 strategy.
HE Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Chairman of the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority and Minister of Investment, said: “This is an exciting moment. We are proud to see the launch of these four special economic zones that offer the chance for foreign investors to have a stake in the world’s fastest growing economy.”
The Secretary-General of the Authority, HE Mr. Nabil Khoja, added, “With hugely attractive financial incentives, world-class infrastructure, business-friendly regulations and streamlined procedures for investors, there has never been a better time to be part of Saudi Arabia’s economic success story. The zones will become engines of growth, increasing the Kingdom’s export competitiveness, attracting talent, boosting technology and improving our global links.”
Special economic zones (SEZs) are geographically defined areas that facilitate specific economic activities, such as investment, trade and employment, by providing competitive advantages and legislative frameworks that differ from the base economy. This important program will enable Saudi Arabia to fast-track certain reforms and facilitate the ease of doing business across the country.
Saudi Arabia’s favourable geographic location, at the heart of major trade routes and supply chains, with access to more than 70% of the world’s population within 8 hours, adds to the zones’ appeal, along with the Kingdom’s young, highly educated population of more than 34 million, expansive natural resources and stable, rapidly growing capital markets.
The Four Industry-specific Zones:
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) SEZ:
The premier destination for advanced manufacturing and logistics, from automobile supply chain and assembly to consumer goods, ICT to MedTech. Set in a prime location on the Red Sea, less than 90 minutes from Jeddah Airport, this 60km2 site offers unrivalled access to global trade routes through King Abdullah Port, ranked the world’s most efficient by the World Bank in 2022. Anchor investor Lucid, a leader in the global EV industry, will produce 150,000 EVs a year from its base in KAEC SEZ.
Jazan SEZ:
An industrial centre and key platform for trade with fast-growing markets in Africa and Asia. Jazan SEZ offers access to the largest port in the region for export of goods and import of materials, helping investors benefit from and contribute to large-scale infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and around the world, backed by easy access to both natural and industrial resources. Jazan is part of the Kingdom’s fertile southwestern region, providing opportunities for the manufacturing, processing and distribution of food products to cater for growing regional demand and meet food security challenges across the region.
Ras AlKhair SEZ:
A launch-pad on the Arabian Gulf for leaders in the maritime industry, Ras AlKhair SEZ is a fully integrated marine ecosystem, with a rich network of existing investors – 40% of the zone is already spoken for – and myriad opportunities across shipbuilding and repair, offshore drilling and maritime value chains.
Cloud Computing SEZ, located in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST):
In King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), a new Cloud Computing SEZ will serve as a hub for emerging and disruptive technologies. A direct manifestation of the Kingdom’s ‘Cloud First’ policy, the Cloud Computing SEZ underlines the Kingdom’s commitment to digital innovation and the fast-growing tech sector. The Zone is based around an innovative hybrid model that allows investors to establish physical data centres and cloud computing infrastructure in multiple locations within the Kingdom. It will open up new gateways for investors worldwide to capitalize on the rapidly growing global cloud market, expected to be worth $834bn (SAR3.13tn) by 2027.
