Reasons Why Saudi is the Ultimate Destination for Polish Businesses

Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly attractive market for Polish businesses, with more than 30 Polish companies established or planning to establish regional headquarters in the Kingdom.

Already, more than 30 Polish companies are either established or planning to set up regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia to participate in ongoing digital projects.

Across the MENA region, Saudi Arabia is Poland’s largest trading partner, with current trade volume exceeding $9 billion, covering industrial, technology, electronic, and food products, among others. This growing alignment between the two nations extends far beyond trade statistics and boasts strategic cooperation and engagement across multiple economic sectors.

The Kingdom’s fast-growing market is attracting European companies, especially Polish firms, to set up a business in Saudi Arabia. Several sectors stand out as especially attractive for Polish companies, notably those operating in agribusiness, renewable energy, and digital technologies.

Polish Agribusiness Finds Fertile Ground in Saudi Arabia’s Food Security Drive

More attention is now being paid to sectors that haven’t always been in the spotlight, particularly agriculture. As Polish exports to Saudi Arabia increase, the growing demand for imported food highlights the need for more foreign companies to establish a stronger local presence.

Historically, Poland has long been one of Europe’s key agricultural exporters. Agri-food products such as dairy, bakery, and confectionery goods are already gaining popularity in the Saudi market. In the first half of 2025 alone, Polish exports to Saudi Arabia in this category exceeded €125 million ($146 million), underscoring the rising demand for Polish produce.

Saudi Arabia, for its part, is pursuing a national food security strategy aimed at reducing reliance on imports and attracting foreign expertise in value-added food industries.

These shared interests make agribusiness a particularly promising sector for Polish investors and the potential for partnerships in food processing, packaging, cold chain logistics, and agricultural technology transfer.

What makes Saudi a strategic destination for European companies is not only its market potential but also its ability to act as a regional platform for broader engagement across the Middle East.

Strengthening trade links in agriculture offers one of the most immediate and scalable routes for Polish businesses to establish a tangible presence in Saudi and beyond.

Therefore, establishing local production and processing facilities can also help Polish firms gain preferential access under Saudi localization policies while meeting the Kingdom’s rising demand for high-quality, traceable food products.

Polish Companies Join Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Push

Next in line is renewable energy, a sector well suited to Polish expertise. As the global energy transition accelerates, Saudi has positioned itself at the forefront of clean energy development.

Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to generate 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2030, reaching an expanded capacity of 130 gigawatts (GW), with major contributions from solar and wind power.

Saudi is not just adopting clean technologies; it aims to become one of its global architects. The country is already home to some of the world’s largest renewable energy investments, including the $8.4 billion NEOM Green Hydrogen facility, one of the largest projects of its kind. These ambitions are backed by strong government support and investor-friendly policies designed to attract international participation.

For European firms planning to establish a foreign business in Saudi, this sector aligns naturally with their strengths in solar and wind power, energy storage, and grid integration. These developments translate into opportunities in engineering, construction, equipment supply, and technology licensing within Saudi Arabia’s clean energy ecosystem.

As Saudi Arabia works toward becoming a major exporter of clean energy to Europe and Asia, Polish firms are well-positioned to play a strategic role in building the technological bridge that connects the two regions.

Polish IT Firms Power Saudi Arabia’s Digital Future

In recent months, Polish and Saudi officials have expressed a strong intention to deepen collaboration in the IT sector. During the 2025 Polish–Saudi Investment Forum, both sides confirmed that the IT sector is among the top fields where Polish businesses can develop a competitive edge.

Alongside sectors like agriculture and renewable energy, technology is growing at a remarkable pace in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is investing heavily in cloud computing, data centers, AI, and smart city infrastructure—all areas where Polish expertise is particularly relevant.

Whether in developing smart city solutions, managing digital twins, or building secure data infrastructure, Polish technology firms can leverage this momentum to enter the Saudi market through joint ventures, local partnerships, or R&D collaborations.

One notable example is Flying Bisons, a leading Polish digital consulting and design agency. The company recently secured a public-sector project through a semi-governmental entity and entered into a strategic partnership with the Saudi CX Association to enhance customer experience awareness for businesses.

In addition, Flying Bisons received recognition from the Digital Government Authority for its innovative solutions, a reflection of its commitment to excellence and cultural adaptability in Saudi Arabia’s growing digital sector.

The surge in business activity between the two nations is also supported by enhanced connectivity. On June 4, 2024, LOT Polish Airlines launched direct flights between Riyadh and Warsaw, creating easier travel links and strengthening economic ties.

Setting Up a European Company in Saudi Arabia: What’s Required from Polish Companies?

Setting up a foreign business in Saudi Arabia involves three key stages, as described below.

Phase 1: Establish Your Legal Entity (1 Month)

The journey begins with creating a strong legal framework to support future operations.

1. Obtain a MISA Investor License
2. Name Reservation
3. Draft Articles of Association (AoA)
4. Secure Commercial Registration (CR)
5. Obtain the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Registration

Phase 2: Authorize Operations and Build Your Team (2 Months)

Once the entity is formed, the subsequent step is setting up operations and hiring staff.

1. Obtain a company seal
2. Register with the Ministry of Labor
3. Register with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
4. Register a National Address
5. Issue a GM Visa
6. Register with the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) and VAT Registration

Phase 3: Finalize Residency and Banking Setup (3 Months)

The last stage ensures the business becomes a fully functional commercial entity.

1. Activate the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) account
2. Obtain Health Insurance
3. Get a Medical Check-up
4. Issue the GM's Iqama
5. Register with the Muqeem portal
6. Register with the Absher portal
7. Register with the Qiwa portal
8. Register with the Mudad Portal
9. Open a bank account

For companies ready to set up a business in Saudi Arabia, understanding the licensing, incorporation, hiring, banking, and compliance requirements is an important first step toward building a sustainable presence in the market.