Saudi Vision 2030: Opportunities Ahead and Advancements in Tourism, Information Technology, and Construction

Saudi Vision 2030 has brought Saudi Arabia a long way in the direction of economic diversification. Leading industries drawing investments into the Kingdom are IT, tourism, and construction. See how by reading on. Launched in 2016, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has been promoting corporate growth in a variety of sectors as the Kingdom works to support a robust, varied economy that is not dependent on a single source. In the midst of the nation's prosperous commercial environment, industries such as construction, tourism, and information technology are undergoing rapid changes, presenting international firms with an abundance of prospects to expand their activities and take advantage of the market's optimistic momentum.

87 percent of planned initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 Either met,or on track

Construction, information technology, and tourism have been the cornerstones of the country's Vision 2030, contributing significantly to the country's grand goal of boosting non-oil economic growth. In reality, success has already been felt throughout the country's economic landscape, with 87% of Vision 2030's planned activities finished or on pace. 360 of these have been completed, with another 561 on the way. Non-oil activities will contribute 50% of real GDP for the first time in 2023, while the private sector's contribution has climbed from 40% to 45% since Vision 2030's inception. Moreover, as the Kingdom continues to become an attractive destination for foreign investments, license registrations of foreign entities have jumped to 8,600 in 2023, marking a 96% growth from the previous year. The total number of foreign investment licenses issued so far is 23,800. This relentless drive to innovate, transform, and expand the economy has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key haven for businesses across the globe. With the Kingdom well on its way to achieving the targets outlined in Vision 2030, the opportunity remains visible for companies to jump in and capitalize on the market’s bullish momentum.

IT: Embracing Digital Transformation and Driving Innovation Across Sectors

The IT sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid expansion, fueled by Vision 2030’s emphasis on digital transformation. Investments have been mostly concentrated in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and tech companies. The government has increased the allocation of resources to develop the country’s digital capabilities, making it an attractive destination for IT companies worldwide. As a result, the Kingdom’s digital excellence ranks third globally and first regionally in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI). The initiatives that stand out in this sector include the establishment of smart cities, like NEOM, and the adoption of advanced technologies in government services and business operations. IT Sector Highlights:

• In 2023, the telecom and IT sectors contributed 4% to the country’s GDP.
•  The IT market grew by 8% to reach $23.33 billion, while the telecommunications market saw a 4% increase to $20.24 billion.
• There are 18 tech companies listed on the Saudi stock market with a combined market value of approximately $28.8 billion, and the total sector value in 2023 reached approximately $43.47 billion, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.
• The country currently ranks 12th globally in venture capital availability.

Tourism Sector Remains at the forefront of Kingdom's Non-oil Economy The Saudi government has numerously revealed plans to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030. Behind these ambitious goals are estimations of the tourism sector generating 1.6 million jobs and contributing 10% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP.The Kingdom is making significant investments in building world-class tourist attractions such as the Red Sea Project, Al-Ula, and Qiddiya. These developments present several prospects for enterprises in the hospitality, entertainment, and allied industries. Furthermore, the government's attempts to relax visa requirements and promote the country's rich cultural and historical heritage have already begun to bear fruit, with a significant increase in international tourist arrivals. Tourism Sector Highlights:

•  Tourist spending spiked to its highest-ever value at $40 billion (SR 135 billion) in 2023.
•  The Tourism Development Fund (TDF), with a capital of approximately $4 billion, has been established to boost and sustain tourist destinations within the Kingdom.
•  Riyadh Season, a main tourism event, has attracted over 72 million visitors in 2023 and over 273 million visitors since its conception in 2019.
•  Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 600 million visitors ever since the launch of the Vision 2030 in 2016.

Construction Sector: Giga projects are spearheading the Kingdom’s Building Boom The construction sector is the Kingdom’s primary focus, thanks to the massive undertaking that encapsulates Saudi Arabia’s giga projects. From the futuristic city of NEOM to large-scale infrastructure projects like the King Salman Energy Park, there is a high demand for construction services and materials. The government's push for sustainable and smart building practices has become a growth enabler for companies specializing in green construction and innovative building technologies.

Construction Sector Highlights:

•  The Qiddiya project alone is expected to create more than 300,000 jobs and attract 48 million visitors annually, contributing $36 billion per year to the Saudi economy by 2030.
•  The Kingdom has launched multiple industrial cities to foster industrial growth and diversification. These include Sudair City for industry and businesses and King Abdullah Economic City.
•  Assets under the PIF have increased from $557 billion in 2016 to $749 billion in 2023, significantly driving construction and development projects across the Kingdom. Ready to become a part of the Vision 2030? Get in touch with CIG Dubai to accelerate your Saudi expansion strategies.