Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia witnessed the establishment of around 47,000 new companies during the first half of 2026, according to the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center.

The center said in a recent press release that it provided 2.9 million services to businesses during the period, supporting efforts to streamline procedures for starting and operating businesses in the Kingdom in line with international best practices.

Services included the registration of around 87,000 establishments and the certification of 3,490 e-commerce stores. The center currently operates 21 branches across 16 cities and provides around 4,800 services in collaboration with 80 government entities.

The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center said its efforts contributed to Saudi Arabia’s improved position in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, where the Kingdom ranked 13th globally and third among G20 economies.

The center attributed the progress to around 1,000 legislative, procedural, and technological reforms aimed at improving business efficiency and competitiveness, alongside efforts to identify and address private-sector challenges.

The center also provides services covering company formation, commercial registration renewals, licensing, government establishment files, and tax and zakat filings through its branches and its electronic platform.