[Saudi Arabia] Expat worker fees for industrial firms withdrawn

Saudi Arabia has announced that fees previously imposed on expatriate workers employed by industrial establishments holding an industrial licence are to be withdrawn, ARY News reports.

The decision, approved by the Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, follows a recommendation from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA).

The move is reportedly intended to support the industrial sector and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic factories, as part of wider efforts to diversify the economy under the Vision 2030 reform programme.

Bandar Alkhorayef - Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources - said the decision to revoke the expatriate fee for industrial workers will enhance sustainable industrial development in the Kingdom.

The minister thanked King Salman and the Crown Prince for what he described as continued support for the sector and stated that this decision will contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of the Saudi industry and increasing the reach and distribution of non-oil exports in various global markets.

Mr Alkhorayef reportedly added that lowering costs would enable factories to adopt advanced technologies such as automation, AI and modern manufacturing systems.

From 2019 to the end of 2024, the sector saw notable rises. These included an increase in the number of industrial establishments from 8,822 factories to more than 12,000, and a 35 per cent increase in the total value of industrial investments, from SR908 billion to SR1.22 trillion.

Mr Alkhorayef affirmed his ministry’s commitment to continuing its support for the growth of the industrial sector in the coming period, through integrated efforts with all relevant entities, empowering the private sector, and providing an industrial environment conducive to investment, innovation, and technology.

Source: ARY News

Saudi Arabia has announced that fees previously imposed on expatriate workers employed by industrial establishments holding an industrial licence are to be withdrawn, ARY News reports.

The decision, approved by the Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, follows a recommendation from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA).

The move is reportedly intended to support the industrial sector and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic factories, as part of wider efforts to diversify the economy under the Vision 2030 reform programme.

Bandar Alkhorayef - Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources - said the decision to revoke the expatriate fee for industrial workers will enhance sustainable industrial development in the Kingdom.

The minister thanked King Salman and the Crown Prince for what he described as continued support for the sector and stated that this decision will contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of the Saudi industry and increasing the reach and distribution of non-oil exports in various global markets.

Mr Alkhorayef reportedly added that lowering costs would enable factories to adopt advanced technologies such as automation, AI and modern manufacturing systems.

From 2019 to the end of 2024, the sector saw notable rises. These included an increase in the number of industrial establishments from 8,822 factories to more than 12,000, and a 35 per cent increase in the total value of industrial investments, from SR908 billion to SR1.22 trillion.

Mr Alkhorayef affirmed his ministry’s commitment to continuing its support for the growth of the industrial sector in the coming period, through integrated efforts with all relevant entities, empowering the private sector, and providing an industrial environment conducive to investment, innovation, and technology.

Source: ARY News