His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry stated that the purpose of the King’s gracious directive to facilitate the operations of international companies and provide incentives is to attract international manufacturers directly, enable international companies to sell their products directly to consumers, benefit from exceptional after-sales service, increase competitiveness, create good opportunities for Saudi youth; provide training and develop the skills of young people at training centers affiliated with investing companies; encourage foreign companies to manufacture their products in the Kingdom; and position the Kingdom as an international hub for the distribution, sale, and re-export of products. This is in addition to technology transfer, employment, and training for citizens.

For its part, the Kingdom, represented by the General Investment Authority, welcomed proposals from companies interested in such investment, provided that their proposals include details of their future manufacturing plans with specific timelines, as well as technology transfer, employment, and training forcitizens. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the General Investment Authority confirmed that they are opening the door for foreign companies to invest in the wholesale and retail trade sector for their products, with ownership percentages exceeding those required of the Kingdom by the World Trade Organization, reaching an ownership percentage of (100%), in accordance with conditions and regulations to be established by the relevant authorities in the Kingdom

In conclusion, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the General Investment Authority invited major international manufacturers to submit proposals outlining the contributions they would make by being allowed to sell their products directly in the Kingdom.