Al-Baha, Eastern Province municipalities now offering over 1,000 investment opportunities

An image from Al-Baha showing houses constructed by stones laid one atop another. File/SPA
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Updated 03 April 2024
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Al-Baha, Eastern Province municipalities now offering over 1,000 investment opportunities

RIYADH: Investors can now access over 1,000 opportunities in sectors, including tourism, across the Al-Baha and the Eastern Province municipalities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.   

The borough of the southwestern region of Al-Baha has presented a total of 1,088 acquisition prospects, both permanent and temporary, throughout the district, the SPA report noted. 

Additionally, in collaboration with the Sharqia Development Authority, the Eastern Province municipality has introduced an opportunity to establish, develop, operate, and invest in Saihat Lake as a tourist and recreational park. 

The Al-Baha municipality has disclosed the identification of over 1,000 investment sites between 2023 and the initial quarter of 2024, with the number of municipal incubators reaching 31. 

Saleh Shaiban, deputy mayor for investment for Al-Baha, clarified that these prospects are designed to involve the private sector, including investors and entrepreneurs, in municipal funding ventures and to enhance the capital operations of the region in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. 

He added that their approach to attracting funding interest to the region has been instrumental in drawing prominent local and global business. 

Moreover, the Al-Baha municipality invited interested investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of investment regulations and incentives, such as contractual periods of up to 50 years and exemption periods to support investors, which can reach up to 10 percent of the contract duration. 

It added that these advantages also include a 25 percent reduction in bank guarantees for the tender value. 

The municipality noted that information on business opportunities can be accessed via the digital portal or the Forsah platform. 

The Eastern Province municipality, on the other hand, emphasized that the lake opportunity encompasses the establishment of recreational, tourist, and sports projects, along with restaurants and cafes. 

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the lake area spans over 600,000 sq. m., with a construction ratio capped at 5 percent. This restriction is intended to offer extensive space for visitors and park attendees. 

The mayoralty also highlighted that the project incorporates a range of supportive activities in line with the Saudi Green Initiative. Furthermore, it emphasized that the contract could extend up to 25 years as an incentive for investors. 

These schemes are part of the municipalities’ ongoing efforts to stimulate economic activity and enhance regional development. They also aim to improve the urban landscape, develop waterfronts, and enhance tourism and entertainment attractions. 


Free trade negotiations between GCC, India mark new phase of partnership, says sec-gen

Updated 24 February 2026
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Free trade negotiations between GCC, India mark new phase of partnership, says sec-gen

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general affirmed that the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the GCC and India, and the signing of the joint statement, represents a new phase of strategic partnership.

Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi said that this contributes to enhancing close cooperation and strengthening economic and trade ties, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This came during the signing ceremony of the joint statement on launching the free trade agreement negotiations between the Al-Budaiwi and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, which took place in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

During the signing ceremony, Al-Budaiwi said that the Terms of Reference, signed on Feb. 5, provide a comprehensive and clear framework for these negotiations. The two nations agreed to discuss enhancing cooperation in vital strategic areas, including trade in goods, customs procedures, and services.

Additionally, the framework covers Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, intellectual property rights, cooperation on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, along with other topics of mutual interest. This reflects the comprehensive nature of the agreement and its ability to keep pace with the future economy.

Al-Budaiwi expressed hope that these negotiations would lead to a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement that works to remove customs and non-customs barriers, enhance the flow of quality investments in both directions, and achieve further liberalization in trade and investment cooperation between the GCC and India for mutual benefit. 

This would provide a stimulating economic environment and an investment climate that opens broad horizons for the business sector, supports supply chains, and accelerates the pace of economic growth in line with the ambitious developmental visions of the GCC states. 

The top official affirmed the full readiness of the General Secretariat to host the first round of negotiations at its headquarters in Riyadh during the second half of this year.

The two sides held a meeting during which they reviewed the existing cooperation relations between the GCC and India and discussed ways to develop and elevate them to broader horizons, serving mutual interests and enhancing opportunities for strategic partnership between the two sides, particularly in the economic, investment, and trade fields.

They praised the role undertaken by the negotiating teams from both sides, appreciating the efforts contributing to reaching a comprehensive agreement that enhances economic integration and supports the smooth flow of trade between the two nations.