THE ROLE OF MISA IN ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA
- Océane Caron
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) serves as the central authority for attracting, facilitating, and regulating foreign investment in the Kingdom. Elevated from the former General Investment Authority in 2020, MISA plays a critical role in advancing Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global investment hub with streamlined governance and strategic economic reforms.
1. A simplified, modern legal framework
On February 12, 2025, the Kingdom introduced a new Investment Law, replacing outdated regulations and broadening investor access. Implementing Regulations published in April 2025 clarify application steps, exclusions, and approval processes, and call for submissions through the FDI Committee via MISA.
2. Streamlined investor registration in Saudi Arabia
Foreign investors must now simply register with MISA before obtaining commercial licenses and permissions, replacing legacy requirements that slowed market entry.
3. Outstanding foreign investment inflows
MISA’s reforms are bearing fruit: in Q1 2025, Saudi Arabia attracted SAR 22.2 billion in net FDI, up 44% year-on-year. Inflows reached SAR 24 billion, while outward investments dropped significantly signaling scaling investor confidence (GASTAT, Q1 2025 report, Peninsula CS commentary).
4. Attractive incentives and RHQ program
The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) program encourages multinational corporations to establish their regional bases in the Kingdom. Benefits include tax exemptions, streamlined procedures, and prioritised access to government contracts. These incentives tie into Vision 2030’s goal of becoming a global business hub (Chambers Global Practice Guide, 2025; Centuro Global, Dec 2024).
5. Transparent investment ecosystem & data oversight
MISA maintains a robust investor data portal, including FDI bulletins and analysis, enabling decision-makers to act with insight and confidence.
6. Confidence boost from macro-economic momentum
Non-oil real GDP growth surged to 3.9% in Q2 2025, while non-oil sectors expanded by 4.7%, reinforcing investor faith in Vision 2030’s economic strategy.
Opportunities for Global Investors
Ease of entry via simplified MISA registration
Legal predictability under updated Investment Law and RHQ incentives
Real momentum backed by rapid FDI growth and macro-economic dynamics
Data-driven access via MISA’s transparent statistics and support resources
MISA is redefining Saudi Arabia’s investment landscape through legal innovation, streamlined registration, and compelling incentives. At PEAK Ventures, we translate these structural advantages into tailored entry strategies—helping your business shine in a promising and sophisticated market.
Ready to launch in Saudi Arabia? Let’s build your market trajectory together.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
