Riyadh grows as regional center for international business firms

Wall Street investment firms, corporate law firms and business conglomerates are lining up for scarce premium office space in Riyadh.

Responding to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing campaign to attract international business, the government reported that 616 international companies established their regional headquarters in the capital city during the first quarter of 2025, an 8% jump from the previous quarter.

Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari also said at a press conference that the kingdom’s efforts to promote startups are paying off, with commercial registrations up 13% to 1.7 million by mid-2025.

The Saudi government established a policy this year, requiring international firms to maintain a regional headquarters in the kingdom as a prerequisite for winning state contracts.