Saudi Arabia Issues 268 Industrial Licenses in May 2026

Saudi Arabia issued 268 new industrial licenses in May 2026, with total investments of about SAR 2.23 billion, as part of an ongoing monthly program to expand the Kingdom's manufacturing base across multiple regions.

149 factories began production during May 2026, reflecting the shift from licensing and construction to actual manufacturing activity. Projects tied to the newly issued licenses are expected to create around 2,484 jobs.

Why it matters

The steady flow of industrial licenses supports local production, widens job opportunities for residents, and reinforces the Kingdom's push to diversify its economy under رؤية السعودية 2030. For communities in the Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam regions, more operating factories can mean new roles across technical, logistics and administrative fields.

Industrial licenses in 2026 are handled entirely online through the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources' electronic platforms linked to the National Center for Industrial and Mining Information, rather than through أبشر or توكلنا.

How the process works

For manufacturers, the typical path includes obtaining a وزارة الاستثمار investment license for foreign investors, registering a Commercial Registration with the Ministry of Commerce, then applying for an industrial license through the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources or the MODON portal. This is followed by technical review, land allocation in an industrial city where relevant, inspection, and final issuance.

Typical 2026 costs include a basic industrial license fee of around SAR 2,000 to 5,000 depending on the license type, with some schedules listing a SAR 2,000 basic fee, a SAR 1,500 field inspection fee, and annual renewal from around SAR 1,200. Investment license fees through وزارة الاستثمار generally range from SAR 2,000 to 10,000 based on activity and legal entity type.

On timelines, a preliminary industrial license is usually valid for about one year to cover establishment and construction, while full licenses are issued after inspection and renewed annually. MODON technical review of an application generally takes around 5 to 10 working days.

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