Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce, Majid Al-Kassabi, inaugurated a new branch of the Saudi Business Center (SBC) at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce on February 15, 2026, marking a significant expansion of the Kingdom’s integrated business services network. The opening ceremony was attended by Abdullah Kamel, Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Makkah Chamber, alongside regional business leaders. Minister Al-Kassabi emphasized the Kingdom’s leadership’s strong support for the private sector, highlighting ongoing efforts to streamline services and cultivate a globally competitive investment environment.
Context and Background
The inauguration of the Makkah branch represents a strategic step in the nationwide deployment of the Saudi Business Center, a key government initiative designed to consolidate and simplify business-related services. The SBC, which operates under the Ministry of Commerce, functions as a one-stop-shop for investors and entrepreneurs, integrating thousands of government procedures into a single, accessible platform. This expansion into Makkah, a region of profound religious significance and growing economic importance, underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring business facilitation services are available across all key commercial hubs in the Kingdom.
Key Details and Official Statements
During the opening ceremony, Minister Al-Kassabi, who also chairs the SBC’s Board of Directors, outlined the center’s role in empowering the national economy. "The Saudi business sector enjoys strong support from the Kingdom’s leadership, which has made the empowerment of all economic sectors a national development priority," he stated. The minister specifically highlighted the competitive advantages of the Makkah Region, noting its unique appeal to the business community. He also extended appreciation for the support provided by Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, and his deputy, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, for initiatives benefiting trade and business sectors.
The new branch will provide local businesses and investors with direct access to the SBC’s comprehensive suite of services. Currently, the SBC network offers approximately 6,000 government services through 20 branches located in 15 cities across Saudi Arabia. This physical expansion is complemented by a robust digital business platform that provides specialized, high-value services, enabling entrepreneurs to start, manage, and grow their ventures with greater efficiency.
Implications for Business and Investment
The establishment of the SBC branch in Makkah is expected to have a direct positive impact on the region’s commercial landscape. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and centralizing essential services, the center lowers the cost and complexity of doing business. This move is strategically aligned with attracting both domestic and international investment into the Makkah Region, leveraging its status as a global destination. The enhanced ease of starting and operating a business contributes to a more dynamic private sector, fostering job creation and economic diversification beyond the region’s traditional sectors.
Furthermore, the event signals the continued rollout of Saudi Arabia’s business environment reforms to an international audience. The presence of chamber heads and business leaders at the inauguration demonstrates the public-private partnership model that is central to the Kingdom’s economic transformation. It reinforces the message that Saudi Arabia is systematically building a transparent, efficient, and supportive ecosystem for enterprise at both the national and regional levels.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The expansion of the Saudi Business Center network, exemplified by the new Makkah branch, is a direct implementation of Saudi Vision 2030’s economic diversification objectives. By simplifying procedures and empowering the private sector, the initiative directly supports the Vision’s goals of increasing small and medium enterprise (SME) contribution to GDP, raising foreign direct investment, and reducing reliance on oil revenues. This development underscores the Kingdom’s methodical approach to building a thriving, knowledge-based economy where entrepreneurship and innovation are key drivers of growth. As Saudi Arabia continues to open new chapters in its economic story, initiatives like the SBC provide the essential infrastructure and services that enable businesses to succeed, thereby solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a leading investment destination and a proactive player in the global economy.