Foreign direct investment in developing economies—both in the form of green field investments and mergers and acquisitions (M&A)—surged in the 1990s.

The Agencies Law establishes a comprehensive framework that govern the relationship between the KSA Agent and foreign principal.

Transparency in ownership structures has become A fundamental requirement of the modern investment landscape. Merely knowing the registered Shareholder of a company is no longer sufficient for regulators or financial institutions. With the increasing sophistication of money laundering methods and the concealment of the origin of illicit funds through companies and legal entities, many jurisdictions have moved towards requiring companies to disclose the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (“UBO”).

Saudization is the colloquial term used to refer to Saudi Arabia's official government policy of encouraging the employment of Saudi Arabian nationals in the private sector.

Saudi Arabia has become a key investment hub over the years as it seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

Further to the Saudi Arabian Council of Ministers decision in its meeting held on 21 of July 2014, which permitted the Capital Market Authority (the CMA) to allow foreign financial institutions to trade shares...

On June 13th 2023, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved the Kingdom's new Civil Transaction Law, marking a significant shift from Sharia law to a codified legal system. The law took effect on June 19th 2023, following a grace period of six months...

Cutting-edge food and beverage company C3 recently entered an agreement to bring 40 restaurant brands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across 550 brand locations over the next five years.

Saudization is the colloquial term used to refer to Saudi Arabia's official government policy of encouraging the employment of Saudi Arabian nationals in the private sector.

Earlier this year, the Council of Ministers and the Shoura Council approved the adoption of a new Companies Law that would completely replace the existing Regulations for Companies.

In recent years businesses in Saudi Arabia, or those seeking to commence business operations, have dealt with a rapidly changing legislative landscape.

Pillsbury has announced its intention to launch an office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following its recent filing of required paperwork with the Saudi Ministry of Justice.

Saudi Arabia's Financial Companies Regulations are becoming increasingly important in the global finance landscape.

Royal Order No. (82241) introduces a limited exception allowing companies and individuals to challenge certain administrative violation decisions that became final solely due to the lapse of the statutory objection period. This time-sensitive opportunity requires objections to be submitted within sixty days and provides for suspension of enforcement during the review process.

Next month the old Saudi companies law (the Old Law) will be repealed and a long-awaited new companies law (the New Law) will take its place.

The Saudi General Authority for Competition's (GAC) has over the past years substantially increased enforcement of the Kingdom's antitrust and merger control rules.

Both VC investment and the number of VC deals remained subdued in Q3'24, as many VC investors globally remained in a holding pattern given the current uncertainties still permeating the market...

In August 2023, Saudi Arabia took a significant step towards modernizing its commercial law by adopting the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

On or around 21 February 2025, the Minister of Commerce decreed and published into law, the Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Rules ("UBO Rules") of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ("KSA").

Background: The Minister of Commerce, has officially resolved to issue The Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Rules (the "UBO Rules"). The UBO Rules require all companies in KSA (unless exempted) to disclose.