In recent years, Saudi Arabia has embarked on one of the world's most ambitious economic transformation programs. While in the past the country was identified almost exclusively as one of the world's leading oil producers, today it is building a new development model focused on economic diversification, technological innovation, and attracting international investment.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Saudi Arabia will continue to be one of the main economies in the Middle East, with a GDP that exceeds 1.1 trillion dollars and sustained growth prospects driven by public and private investments. Also the World Bank highlight how the country is accelerating the modernization of its economic system through significant structural reforms and increasing openness to international capital.
with a population that has now surpassed 38 million inhabitants, of which over 60% is under 35 years old, the country has a young, dynamic domestic market characterized by a growing demand for consumer goods, advanced technologies, and high value-added services. The increase in disposable income and the expansion of the middle class are also altering consumption habits, favoring the entry of quality international products and strengthening the positioning of "Made in Italy.".
From a geographical point of view, the’Saudi Arabia It occupies a strategic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa and represents one of the main logistics and commercial hubs in the entire Gulf region. The presence of modern ports, international airports, and important infrastructure corridors allows foreign companies to use the country not only as a final market but also as a platform to serve neighboring markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Saudi Vision 2030 is the Saudi government's strategic plan to reduce its dependence on oil and diversify the country's economy. It includes investments of hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure, industry, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy, creating concrete opportunities for Italian companies in numerous strategic sectors.
The plan stems from the desire to develop new production sectors and foster sustainable long-term economic growth. To achieve this goal, the Saudi government has launched a vast program of public and private investments that involves virtually all major economic sectors. The plan's priorities include:
According to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi sovereign wealth fund with assets exceeding $900 billion, hundreds of billions of dollars will be allocated in the coming years to the development of new industrial and infrastructural projects. The goal is to make Saudi Arabia one of the world's leading economic hubs by 2030. This transformation is creating a growing demand for technologies, expertise, machinery, and know-how, areas in which Italian companies boast a significant competitive advantage.
The economic relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia are also experiencing a phase of particular development. In recent years, the two countries have intensified their collaboration in numerous strategic sectors, fostering new opportunities for Italian companies.
According to the data Eurostat reported by ICE, in 2025, the European Union’s total exports to Saudi Arabia reached 38 billion euros, up 2.8% from 2024.
Last year, Italy exported goods to Saudi Arabia worth over 6.3 billion euros, with a positive trade balance of approximately 2.3 billion: machinery, industrial technologies, and high-value-added products are the main drivers of this growth.
Bilateral relations are also strengthening through numerous institutional and business initiatives involving investments, innovation, energy, infrastructure, and research. Italy is today considered one of the key European partners for the transfer of technological and industrial expertise, thanks to the quality of its manufacturing base and its’excellence of Made in Italy.
This growing collaboration fits into a favorable context from a regulatory standpoint as well. In recent years, the Saudi government has introduced important reforms aimed at simplifying foreign investment, facilitating the establishment of local companies, and improving the business climate. Concurrently, investor protection mechanisms have been strengthened, and opportunities for foreign companies to participate in major national projects have been expanded.
The economic transformation initiated by Saudi Arabia is creating business opportunities in numerous sectors, many of which align with the main strengths of the Italian industrial system.
The Saudi development strategy indeed foresees the creation of new local production chains in the manufacturing, food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and construction materials sectors. To support this process, the country is investing heavily in the purchase of machinery, production plants, and advanced industrial technologies. According to the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), thousands of new industrial projects are currently under development, supported by public programs that incentivize the localization of production and the creation of new manufacturing capabilities. Therefore, significant opportunities are opening up for Italian companies in the following sectors:
Saudi companies are increasingly seeking suppliers who can offer not just machinery, but complete solutions that include design, installation, training, and after-sales support, areas where Italian know-how represents a significant distinguishing element.
Through the Public Investment Fund (PIF), The government is funding projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars for the construction of new cities, transportation infrastructure, airports, ports, railway networks, hospitals, schools, and tourism complexes.
Among the most representative projects are NEOM, The Line, Oxagon, Diriyah Gate, Qiddiya, The Red Sea Project and Amaala, initiatives that are radically transforming the country's urban landscape and require the involvement of thousands of international suppliers. This context is generating a growing demand for:
The construction of thousands of new hotel, residential, commercial, and office buildings is fueling strong demand for high-end products for both the contract sector and the premium residential market.
Saudi consumers place great value on Italian design, which is recognized as synonymous with elegance, quality, and innovation. At the same time, major real estate developers are increasingly oriented towards suppliers capable of offering comprehensive, customized solutions characterized by high quality standards.
Population growth, increased life expectancy, and the progressive strengthening of the healthcare system are leading to a significant increase in public and private investment. The Saudi government is indeed promoting the construction of new hospitals, specialized clinics, and diagnostic centers, in addition to the modernization of existing facilities. Italian companies can find interesting opportunities in the supply of:
Although oil remains a fundamental component of the Saudi economy, the country is investing significantly in the energy transition. Through the Saudi Green Initiative, the Government has set ambitious goals for the development of renewable energies, green hydrogen, and energy efficiency. The stated objective is to achieve 130 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, : favoring the growth of new investments in:
For many Italian companies specializing in plant engineering and green technologies, this represents one of the most promising sectors in the coming years.
Food security is a strategic priority for the Saudi government. Due to limited available agricultural resources, the country continues to rely significantly on food imports and is investing in the development of a modern and efficient agri-food supply chain. For Italian companies, opportunities exist both in exporting premium food products and in supplying food processing technologies. Particularly in demand are:
In parallel, interest is growing in Made in Italy products from the gourmet, bakery, pasta, coffee, ingredient, and organic segments, driven by the expansion of the horeca channel and evolving consumer habits.
Accessing the Saudi market requires careful planning, not only from a business perspective but also from a regulatory one. In recent years, the government has introduced important reforms to simplify import procedures and encourage foreign investment, without, however, reducing attention to product safety, technical compliance, and consumer protection.
Particular attention must be paid to commercial and customs documentation. Incorrect tariff classification, incomplete documentation, or non-compliance with local standards can lead to customs clearance delays, additional costs, or rejection of goods.
Among the aspects to check are:
For many product categories, it is also crucial to plan the entire certification process in advance, involving the importer, the notified body, and the Saudi authorities even in the preliminary stages of the project.
SABER is the mandatory digital system for certifying products imported into Saudi Arabia. Without registration on the SABER platform, managed by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization), goods cannot be cleared through customs or placed on the Saudi market.
The system was introduced as part of the SALEEM program with the aim of making import procedures more transparent, reducing the circulation of non-compliant products, and ensuring compliance with national technical standards, replacing the previous paper-based certification system.
For products subject to SASO technical regulations, the Saudi importer is required to register the products on the platform before entering the country. The system involves all actors in the supply chain (manufacturer, importer, and accredited certification body) and allows customs authorities to quickly verify the conformity of the goods.
It is important to emphasize that not all products are subject to the same procedures. Certification methods vary depending on the product category and the applicable technical regulations. For this reason, a preliminary review of the relevant regulations is one of the first steps to take before starting any export project.
The SABER certification represents only one aspect of the compliance required by the Saudi market. Depending on the sector, further regulatory provisions may apply.
In the food sector, for example, it is necessary to verify the requirements provided by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) In terms of food safety, labeling, and product registration. Specific authorization procedures managed by the SFDA are in place for medical devices and numerous healthcare products. Cosmetics, chemicals, construction materials, and electrical equipment are also subject to dedicated technical regulations that may require pre-registration, laboratory testing, or additional documentary requirements.
Another often underestimated element concerns labeling. In many cases, information must also be provided in Arabic and comply with specific requirements regarding composition, product origin, local importer, and usage instructions. Verifying all these aspects beforehand helps avoid costly delays and ensures faster market entry.
Regulatory compliance is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for developing a lasting business in Saudi Arabia. Success also depends on the ability to adopt a business strategy that is consistent with the characteristics of the local market. One of the most important aspects concerns Entry-level model selection. Depending on the sector, business objectives, and planned investment level, companies can evaluate various options:
The choice must be preceded by careful market analysis, competitive positioning, and applicable regulations.
Despite the favorable context, many companies face difficulties because they approach the Saudi market without adequate preparation. Among the most frequent mistakes are:
Face the market with a Structured internationalization strategyand with the support of experienced professionals, it enables a significant reduction in these risks and accelerates commercial development.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the deepest economic transformations in its history. Vision 2030, large public investments, openness to international operators, and the desire to develop new industrial sectors are creating an extremely favorable context for Italian companies.
The opportunities concern sectors in which "Made in Italy" has always expressed high levels of competitiveness: instrumental mechanics, automation, construction, design, healthcare, environmental technologies, agribusiness, and digitalization. However, seizing these opportunities requires much more than simply exporting a product. It is necessary to understand market dynamics, manage regulatory aspects, select reliable partners, and develop an entry strategy consistent with business objectives.
For products subject to SASO technical regulations, registration on the SABER platform is mandatory; without it, the goods are not cleared for customs. Depending on the sector, approvals from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) are also required for food, cosmetics, and medical devices, as well as laboratory tests or preventive registrations for chemicals, building materials, and electrical equipment.
SABER is the mandatory digital system, managed by SASO and introduced with the SALEEM program, which replaced paper certification. The Saudi importer registers the products before entering the country, involving the manufacturer, importer and the accredited certification body. Customs thus quickly verifies compliance. The procedures change depending on the commodity category and the applicable technical regulation.
The sectors with the most opportunities are instrumental and industrial automation, construction and smart cities, furnishings and contracting, healthcare and medical devices, renewable energy and environmental technologies, and agro-food and food processing. The demand is supported by Saudi Vision 2030 and projects funded by the PIF such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and The Red Sea Project.
A SME can collaborate with local distributors or importers, enter into agency agreements, create industrial partnerships or joint ventures, open a commercial branch, or form a local company to participate in public tenders and large projects. The choice depends on the sector, objectives and investment, and must be preceded by market analysis, competitive positioning and applicable regulations.
The most frequent errors are underestimating the time required for certifications and authorizations, relying on occasional contacts without verifying partners, neglecting cultural and business aspects, considering the Kingdom only as a market for exports instead of a platform for the Gulf (GCC) region, and failing to provide after-sales service, which is highly demanded in industrial sectors.
The customs classification with HS Code, export documentation, technical certifications, any sectoral authorizations, and compliance with SASO regulations must be verified. A label must often also include Arabic information about composition, origin, local importer, and instructions for use. Classification errors or incomplete documents cause delays, additional costs, or the rejection of the goods.
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