Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has launched a new campaign aimed at enhancing its investment landscape by attracting foreign talent and businesses to its Special Economic Zones (SEZs). This initiative, announced on Thursday, includes a package of tax exemptions, streamlined visa processes, and regulatory incentives to create a more favorable environment for investors.

The campaign is led by the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority (ECZA) in collaboration with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Together, these agencies are implementing customs and tax breaks, simplifying visa procedures, and eliminating financial equivalence requirements for international talent, all with the goal of solidifying the Kingdom’s SEZs as hubs for global business.

Nabil Khojah, the Secretary General of ECZA, highlighted the importance of the partnerships formed across government institutions, stating, “The partnerships we are building across government institutions are key to enabling a more competitive, investor-friendly environment.” He emphasized that the new incentives are crafted to improve operational efficiency and reduce regulatory friction, making the Special Economic Zones some of the most attractive destinations for investment in the region.

This campaign illustrates ECZA’s strong collaboration with key state entities to provide targeted benefits for investors and companies establishing operations within the SEZs. These zones are designed to be high-growth areas specifically tailored for global logistics, manufacturing, and technology firms.

As part of the initiative, a partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration will create dedicated arbitration and reconciliation centers within the SEZs. These centers will follow international standards and aim to enhance legal certainty while providing efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms for businesses in the zones.

Further agreements with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) will work to reduce regulatory bottlenecks, simplifying access to the market for goods and services entering Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the campaign emphasizes digital integration. The ECZA is expanding its One-Stop-Shop portal, which serves as a centralized digital platform connecting investors with all necessary government agencies. This initiative aims to expedite business licensing and operational approvals, while enhanced data-sharing tools across government platforms are expected to improve transparency and facilitate ease of doing business.