As the largest economy in the Middle East and a key driver of regional transformation through Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia continues to offer significant opportunities for Swedish companies. Large-scale investments in infrastructure, industry, healthcare, energy, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing create attractive prospects across multiple sectors.
At the same time, companies report a more demanding operating environment. Regulatory complexity, local content requirements, labour market regulations, customs procedures, and regional geopolitical uncertainty continue to affect business operations and investment decisions. Companies also point to challenges related to talent attraction and retention.
Cooperation between Sweden and Saudi Arabia remains strong within sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, industrial equipment, energy, mining, and infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s continued investments in economic diversification, sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation continue to create opportunities for Swedish companies offering advanced and sustainable solutions.
Competitiveness in Saudi Arabia is closely linked to brand awareness, cost efficiency, partnerships, local relationships, and sales competence. The Swedish brand continues to be associated with quality, innovation, reliability, and sustainability.
Saudi Arabia is widely regarded as an attractive market with high levels of personal safety, strong digital infrastructure, and significant growth opportunities. At the same time, companies point to local requirements, regulatory complexity, and labour market regulations as ongoing challenges.
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ABOUT THE SURVEY
To assess the opportunities and challenges faced by Swedish companies in international markets, Team Sweden conducts annual Business Climate Surveys across multiple markets worldwide. This year’s survey in Saudi Arabia includes responses from 31 Swedish companies operating there. Industrial companies represent a significant share of respondents, while professional services companies also make up a considerable share. The majority of respondents have been active in Saudi Arabia for many years.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all participating companies and respondents for their contributions to this report. Team Sweden in Saudi Arabia hopes that the findings will serve as a basis for continued dialogue with Saudi authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
