Search

Saudi Arabia’s Fee Waiver for Foreign Workers Spurs Industrial Growth

Allen dreyfus Logo
© Allen Dreyfus
  • Fee waiver boosts Saudi Arabia’s industrial GDP by 14.7% and stimulates non-oil exports
  • Foreign investment in the industrial sector surges, with 71.5% more foreign-owned facilities since 2019

Saudi Arabia’s decision to waive fees for foreign workers in the industrial sector in August 2019 has contributed to a 14.7% increase in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), from SR392 billion ($104.5 billion) in 2019 to SR592 billion in 2023, according to a report from the Federation of Saudi Chambers’ Economic Studies Centre. The policy has also bolstered the Kingdom’s non-oil exports, which have risen by 12% to over SR208 billion since 2019.

Recent Business

Farm produce being exported. Photo by Shelley Pauls @ Unsplash
Rwanda’s horticulture exports up 27% to give economy $54mn boost
Read More »
South Africa's manufacturing sector takes a dip. Photo by Sam Moghadam @ Unsplash
South Africa’s economy posts fragile 0.5% Q3 growth in 2025
Read More »
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal. Photo @ Office of President, Senegal/Facebook
Senegal unveils over $490mn in budget savings for new fiscal year
Read More »

Recent Politics

William Ruto, President of The Republic of Kenya. Photo: @ William Ruto/Facebook
Ruto strengthens 2027 re-election bid as UDA sweeps key Kenya by-elections
Read More »
Ghana President John Mahama. Photo courtesy: Office of the President/Facebook
Ghana’s $1.1bn presidential jet plan reignites debate over cost and priorities
Read More »
Tilembeya, Mopti, Mali. Photo by Kagou Dicko @ Unsplash
IMF backs Mali reforms despite insecurity and debt risks
Read More »

Latest Posts

Latest news insights