Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved the cancellation of fees imposed on foreign workers in licensed industrial facilities.
The decision was based on the recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
It underscores the continuous support of the Saudi leadership in driving growth and fostering empowerment across the industrial sector.
It also aligns with the Crown Prince’s commitment to enabling national factories, enhancing their sustainability and global competitiveness, and building a competitive and resilient industrial economy, with industry serving as a key pillar of economic diversification in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
On this occasion, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef, extended his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Al-Khorayef noted that this decision will strengthen the global competitiveness of the Saudi industry, boosting the reach and growth of non-oil exports across international markets.
The Cabinet has approved the cancellation of fees on expatriate workers in licensed industrial establishments.#Industry_and_Mineral_Resources pic.twitter.com/aJ3eCxdYMQ
— وزارة الصناعة والثروة المعدنية (@mimgov) December 17, 2025
Moreover, Al-Khorayef highlighted that the six-year suspension of the expat fees – from 2019 to 2025 – was a vital catalyst for the Kingdom’s industrial transformation. By easing financial pressures, this policy fueled a massive expansion of Saudi Arabia’s industrial infrastructure.
From 2019 to late 2024, the sector saw a surge in growth across all major indicators. This included the expansion of manufacturing facilities from 8,822 to over 12,000 and a 35% surge in total investments, which climbed from SAR 908 billion to SAR 1.22 trillion.
During this same period, non-oil exports rose 16% to reach SAR 217 billion, while the workforce saw a substantial 74% increase. Additionally, these advancements drove a 56% spike in industrial GDP, exceeding SAR 501 billion, and successfully pushed the localization rate up to 31%.
