“This experience is nothing like before. All the procedures are handled in one place, exactly what a businessman needs,” said investor Talal Al-Ammari with a smile as he left the headquarters of the Saudi Business Center in Riyadh.
In a sleek, bustling building, dozens of local and international investors gather around counters representing key government agencies such as the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Zakat authority, and the Passport Department. Together, they operate as an integrated service hub where companies can start and complete their establishment procedures within minutes.
Among the visitors is a Chinese investor from Shanghai, finalizing the paperwork for a new business travel company. “I’ve been here several times,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “I was able to handle everything in one place. All documents can be submitted remotely, and whenever I face a problem, there’s a hotline to support me immediately.”
The Saudi Business Center was established in 2020 by a Cabinet decision and reports directly to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Its mission is to place Saudi Arabia among the world’s top ten countries in the quality and efficiency of government services for the business sector by 2030.
Since its launch, the center has provided more than 13 million business services, including 10.8 million digital transactions through its business platform and 2.3 million in-person services through its 15 branches across the Kingdom. These operations are carried out in partnership with over 60 government entities, according to its third-quarter report.
The center’s role goes beyond administrative efficiency. It also works on improving government policies and strengthening the overall business climate by analyzing data, publishing reports, and contributing to regulatory development affecting the private sector.
A key pillar of this transformation is its AI-powered digital “Business Platform,” which allows both domestic and foreign investors to complete transactions entirely online. A virtual assistant provides real-time communication with government agencies, while branch staff handle any remaining in-person steps quickly and seamlessly.
In coordination with multiple government agencies, the center has re-engineered procedures in vital sectors including commerce, education, transport, tourism, sports, telecommunications, and defense industries. By shortening processing times and cutting costs, the center helps companies operating in the Kingdom become more efficient and productive.
With this integrated approach, the Saudi Business Center has firmly positioned itself as a one-stop gateway for investors entering the Kingdom. It embodies the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by simplifying the business journey, enabling private sector growth, and strengthening the Kingdom’s standing as one of the most competitive investment environments in the world.