In force
Saudi Investment Law
نظام الاستثمار
The Investment Law of Saudi Arabia. This page presents the official Arabic text of each article with plain-English explanations for residents and businesses.
- Articles
- 16
- In force
- 16
- Amended
- 0
- Issued
- 16/1/1446 AH
Issued by: مرسوم ملكي رقم (م/19) وتاريخ 1446/1/16هـ · قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (40) وتاريخ 1446/1/10هـ
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Investment Law by topic
Articles of the Saudi Investment Law
- Article 1The article defines the key terms of the Investment Law, such as investment, capital, local and foreign investor, investment incentives and the excluded activities list.
- Article 2The article explains that the Investment Law aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the investment environment, support economic development and create jobs through an attractive investment climate.
- Article 3The article establishes the right of local and foreign investors to invest in any sector or activity open to investment, subject to Articles 8 and 9 and the relevant laws.
- Article 4The article lists the investor's rights, such as equal treatment, fair treatment, no confiscation except by a final judgment and freedom to transfer funds, and requires authorities to observe them and the Ministry to provide information and services.
- Article 5The article requires every investor to comply with all laws and legislation in the Kingdom and with the Kingdom's obligations under the international agreements to which it is a party.
- Article 6The article provides that investment incentives are granted by the competent authority according to objective, specific and fair eligibility criteria, and refers the provisions for implementing this to the Implementing Regulations.
- Article 7The article creates a national register of investors, requires the foreign investor to register with the Ministry before investing (except in securities), and regulates the one-stop service center for approval applications.
- Article 8The article requires the competent authority to issue the list of excluded activities, which the Ministry publishes, and requires the foreign investor to seek approval before investing in them and before changing ownership in restricted activities.
- Article 9The article gives the Ministry of Investment the power to suspend any foreign investment to protect national security, by a decision based on objective grounds, consistent with international agreements and following the Implementing Regulations' procedures.
- Article 10The article lets an investor who is a party to any dispute, even with a government body, go to the competent court unless otherwise agreed, and allows investors to agree on arbitration, mediation and conciliation.
- Article 11The article regulates breaches of the registration and excluded-activities provisions: a notice to remedy a non-serious breach, then penalties up to a SAR 300,000 fine and cancellation of registration, imposed by a specialized committee.
- Article 12The article allows anyone against whom the Ministry of Investment has issued a penalty decision to challenge it before the competent court within 30 days of being notified of the decision.
- Article 13The article provides that the provisions of the Investment Law do not prejudice any obligation of the Kingdom under an international agreement in force to which the Kingdom is a party.
- Article 14The article provides that the Investment Law does not prejudice the laws on specific economic activities or special economic zones, while the investor keeps a minimum of the rights set out in the law.
- Article 15The article requires the Minister of Investment to issue the Implementing Regulations within 180 days of the law's publication, to take effect from the date the law comes into force.
- Article 16The article sets the law's entry into force 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, and repeals the previous Foreign Investment Law and any provisions that conflict with it.
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