Geography The capital of Saudi Arabia, located in the heart of Arabian Peninsula, close to the GCC hubs in the center of Saudi Arabia. Situated in the heart of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a dramatic transformation to become a global investment leader. Investment climate Since the opening of a significant amount of oil resources in the mid-70s, Saudi Arabia itself has had the resources to invest in its own projects and create state agencies. The biggest state agencies include the Public Investment Fund. Through proactive governmental measures, including regulatory reforms and the construction of cutting-edge infrastructure, the nation aims to attract and streamline foreign investment. These strategic initiatives highlight Saudi Arabia’s dedication to establishing itself as an economic nexus linking the East and West. If an investor wants to explore the country’s possibilities for investing, it is possible to get Business Visa for "Visiting Investors" For a Saudi national (excluding public servants) seeking to establish a sole proprietorship or LLC, the process merely necessitates their Saudi national identification card and completion of an online registration procedure via the Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MOCI) website. This streamlined process enables the local investor to initiate business activities under the auspices of the new business entity within a single working day. Presently, due to prevailing foreign investment regulations in Saudi Arabia, entrepreneurial opportunities for startups are predominantly accessible to Saudi nationals and companies. This limitation predominantly stems from the requirement for foreign investors to furnish financial statements and a proven business track record before engaging in the KSA market. Notably, since the onset of 2018, the government has opened avenues for entrepreneurs possessing intellectual property or innovative inventions to invest individually. However, the potential extension of economic liberalization envisaged by Saudi Vision 2030 to encompass non-Saudis establishing startups in Saudi Arabia remains uncertain. Sectors for investment include Tourism & Quality of Life, Industrial and Manufacturing, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Information and Communication Technology Human capital  The key difference from other GCC countries is that Saudi Arabia has more native population in the country. At the same time, Riyadh is a suitable place for expats with all kind of needs for a foreigner. Universities and innovation King Saud University ranked on #200 by QS ranking has a focus on the life sciences alongside engineering. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject, King Saud University is ranked among the world’s top 150 for mechanical engineering, agriculture and pharmacy. King Saud University currently enrolls a total of 51,000 students, of whom more than 1,100 are internationals.  Prince Sultan University, on #681, aims to provide the Middle East with quality education to the highest international standards. In its efforts towards successful and responsible life-long learning, PSU integrates modern technology, pedagogy, and human values to advance scientific research, productivity, and leadership toward a more meaningful societal role. Princess Nora bin Abdulrahman University. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework for economic and societal transformation, places significant emphasis on the role of research and development (R&D) within the nation’s universities. These institutions are not merely academic centres but are increasingly becoming vital contributors to cutting-edge research, propelling the Kingdom toward its ambitious goals. The foundation for achieving Vision 2030 lies in strengthening the research capacity of Saudi universities. This entails not only investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment but also in cultivating an environment conducive to innovative research. Aligning research agendas with national priorities is vital. Universities already focus on areas such as renewable energy, water conservation, food security, and health sciences – sectors that are pivotal to the Kingdom’s future Key events Among the most important venues in Riyadh we list the following: -LEAP, taking place in February. The event is a premier global tech event set to take place in Saudi Arabia. A gathering of over, 172000 tech experts and 1000 industry leaders. -Innovation Zero MENA Congress- MENA's largest net-zero congress will take place in October 2025. Step Riyadh in November 2024 - Saudi Arabia’s most anticipated and fastest-growing tech and startup festival, is home to Saudi’s best entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and tech enthusiasts. Step Riyadh features 4 content tracks, more than 350 startups, and 3000+ attendees. -Airport Innovation Conference - KSA -  transformation of 25 airports into private sector bodies, including Jeddah Airports Company and the Cluster 2 Company. The goal is to improve service, integrate international best practices, and increase competitiveness. Investment and commercial opportunities in the sector, including airports, freight, catering, maintenance, and ground services, will be opened to local and foreign investors soon. -LEARN brings together future visions and directions for continuous learning and seeks to create an inspiring environment to build a solid foundation of essential and future skills. Accelerators and Incubators -KAUST Innovation Fund: Energy, Water, Food, ICT, Healthcare Industries, # of investments: 86 -Riyadh Valley Company: Information Technology, Financial Technology, Logistics, Transportation Industries, # of Investments: 06 -Business Incubators and Accelerators Company: Logistics, Technology Industries, # of Investments 4 In Conclusion With the plans of the Saudi government to expand the country's capabilities for investors and available resources for changing the city’s image, it is expected to have Riyadh on the top list for investors by the end of the decade.