Having spent the last decade guiding businesses through Saudi market entry, I found this week's upcoming visit by SIR Keir Starmer particularly significant.
While media coverage has focused on the diplomatic aspects, I thought it beneficial to share what this means for those businesses who are currently looking at Saudi Arabia as their next growth market.
The announcement of the Manchester graphene company's £250m deal with Saudi Arabia's NEOM project caught my attention for several reasons. Having helped numerous UK companies establish their presence in Saudi Arabia, this partnership demonstrates exactly what we're seeing on the ground: Saudi Arabia's serious commitment to technological innovation and sustainable development.
From my recent meetings with clients in Riyadh, I can tell you that the business landscape is transforming rapidly.
The graphene deal isn't just about one company's success – it's a blueprint for what's possible in Saudi Arabia today. With 100% foreign ownership now available across multiple sectors, we're seeing unprecedented interest from UK companies looking to establish operations in the Kingdom.
The graphene deal's connection to NEOM is particularly telling. While many view NEOM as just another mega-project, those of us working daily in Saudi business setup understand it represents something much larger.
It's a tangible example of how Saudi Arabia is creating opportunities for international businesses across sectors like:
- Advanced construction and materials
- Sustainable technology
- Research and development
- Infrastructure development
- Digital transformation
Through our local office, we're witnessing firsthand how diplomatic visits like Starmer's translate into practical benefits for businesses:
Enhanced Business Processing
The Saudi government is actively streamlining company formation processes for UK businesses.
Strategic Sector Growth
New opportunities are emerging in technology, sustainability, and infrastructure development.
Investment Support
Increased bilateral cooperation is making market entry more straightforward for UK companies.
The timing of Starmer's visit coincides with what we're seeing in Saudi Arabia's business ecosystem. Last month alone, our team assisted three UK technology companies in establishing their Saudi operations, each completing their setup process within 14 weeks.
While diplomatic visits often make headlines, the real story is unfolding at the business level. The Manchester graphene deal shows how Saudi Arabia's economic transformation is creating tangible opportunities for UK businesses. From our experience in Saudi company formation, we see that these opportunities are only increasing.
Having guided countless businesses through Saudi market entry, I believe we're entering a golden period for UK-Saudi business relations. The combination of streamlined regulations, major infrastructure projects, and strengthening diplomatic ties creates an ideal environment for business setup in Saudi Arabia.
If you're considering Saudi market entry, now is the time to explore your options. The groundwork laid by high-level visits like Starmer's creates an environment where business setup in Saudi Arabia is more accessible than ever.
*Want to understand what these developments mean for your business? Let's discuss your Saudi market entry plans. Contact our team for a detailed consultation on establishing your presence in the Kingdom.*
Contact us at ; setup@peninsulacs.com
