268 New Industrial Licenses Draw SAR 2.23bn in May

Saudi Arabia issued 268 new industrial licenses in May 2026, with total investments estimated at SAR 2.23 billion, as the Kingdom continues to widen its manufacturing base under its national industrial strategy. The figures follow April 2026, when 322 licenses were issued carrying associated investments exceeding SAR 12.33 billion.

Industrial licenses are issued electronically by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources through its online platform. Foreign investors typically begin by obtaining an investment license from the وزارة الاستثمار covering the industrial activity, then apply for the industrial license itself. The process is generally two-stage: an initial license or permission to establish and build the factory, followed by a final operating license once the facility is completed and inspected.

A typical project in 2026 involves preparing technical and feasibility details, securing industrial land — often through MODON or private industrial estates — and obtaining environmental approvals from the National Center for Environmental Compliance along with Civil Defense safety clearances. Applications are submitted through the ministry's electronic platform, with license issuance reported to take roughly 5 to 30 working days after submission, and 4 to 12 weeks overall depending on the sector and completeness of documentation.

The license itself covers the product category, planned production capacity, workforce plan, machinery list and raw material sources, and must comply with sector regulations, including approvals from SFDA or SASO where relevant. Licensed facilities may also apply for customs exemptions on imported machinery, equipment and spare parts.

the Kingdom has recorded 12,387 industrial licenses cumulatively, of which 9,668 are for operational factories. For residents and business owners, the steady flow of new licenses points to expanding manufacturing activity, new job opportunities and a growing local supply base across multiple sectors.

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