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Saudi Arabia for Business Travelers

Overview

Due to its vast area and tourism appeal, Saudi Arabia provides various opportunities for foreign businesses. The world's top petroleum exporter, Saudi Arabia, has used its riches to create a slew of prospering cities. Doing business in Saudi Arabia has it's own pros and cons like any other prospering countries.

Business Customs

Although Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, English is extensively used in commerce and on signs and announcements, making it simple for non-Arabic speakers to live and work in the country. Modern Saudi Arabia has embraced many Western business practices and approaches, although there are still significant distinctions. The most important thing to remember is that business will only be done when a level of trust and familiarity has been built. It's possible that a significant amount of time will be spent trading courtesies and that numerous trips may be required to win business. Typically, tea, soft beverages, and traditional Saudi coffee are available. For courtesy, one to three cups of Saudi coffee should be consumed, following which the cup should be wiggled between thumb and forefinger before returning it to the waiter.

Many Saudi business people have been educated in the West or have traveled extensively there, and they are well-versed in dealing with business prospects all over the world. Travelers may rely on the usual Western manners and norms of civility to get them through most of their journey, with a few exceptions. Eating should be done with the right hand and sitting with the sole pointing towards the ground should be avoided at all costs. Instead of inquiring about a man's wife or daughters, ask about his family. Before entering a Saudi Majlis, shoes are sometimes removed (living room). If you're invited to a Saudi's house for a party or reception, dinner will usually be provided after the evening, and visitors will not stay long. Because customs and etiquette vary per region, stay aware of your surroundings, and adjust your conduct to your host's.

Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country with stringent Islamic standards that must be followed. Muslims are required to pray five times a day in the direction of Makkah, the holy city. Dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening are the prayer times reported in the newspaper. At certain times, stores and restaurants close for about a half-hour. These prayer pauses must be anticipated while planning promotional events or product presentations.

Business Customs

Different areas of the nation have different business hours. Companies in Saudi Arabia often close for two hours in the afternoon for the midday prayer and reopen in the early evening. The typical workweek lasts from Saturday to Wednesday, with many employers demanding a half-or full day on Thursday. The Muslim holy day is Friday.

Alcohol, weapons, pig products, religious objects, and pornographic things are prohibited in the Kingdom. Catalogues and films deemed suitable in the West are occasionally confiscated if they depict men and women mingling or dressed in revealing clothing. Drugs prescribed by doctors should be kept in their original, labelled containers.

Holidays

Most companies close for at least three working days during two Islamic religious holidays, while all government offices close for a lengthier time. Making relationships and conducting business is extremely tough over the holidays. The Eid al-Fitr festival comes after Ramadan, the Muslim holy month (a month of fasting). Eid al-Adha commemorates the time of year when pilgrims from all over the globe converge on Mecca for the Hajj. The Islamic lunar calendar governs their schedule.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. Travel to the Kingdom for business during the holy month of Ramadan is likewise discouraged. Since office hours are cut and transferred to the evening, people may be influenced by fasting and traditional late-night social events. Business Travelers should avoid drinking, eating, or smoking in public during daylight hours or in the company of fasting Muslims throughout Ramadan. Hotels offer non-Muslim guests specific midday meal options.

The 23rd of September is Saudi Arabia's national day. With the noteworthy exception of Saudi Aramco, almost all companies and government offices are open on this day.

Business Infrastructure

Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam/Al-Khobar/Dhahran have international airports served by several foreign airlines. Inter-Kingdom travel is mainly by air, with public service limited to Saudia, the country's single national airline.

The Kingdom has a well-developed highway infrastructure, with rental vehicles and taxis/limousines accessible at all airports; driving is done right, as in the United States. The primary international seaports for transporting containerized and bulk goods are Jeddah and Dammam. Between Dammam and Riyadh, one train line transports people and freight.

Telephone, fax, telex, and courier services are among the modern communication options accessible. Al-Waseet, a PTT Ministry trunk line service, provides access to the United States database. Furthermore, several agreements have already been negotiated between the United States and other countries. The service will be launched in Saudi Arabia by Internet service providers and Saudi enterprises. Many of the best restaurants are located in the hotels, and four and five-star hotel rooms are easily accessible in the central business districts. In each of the three major population centers, there are several excellent eateries. Popular fast-food eateries from the United States are likewise trendy. The food reflects the country's diverse expatriate population and is generally deemed safe.

Employers generally provide accommodation for expatriate employees residing in the Kingdom, or the employee receives a housing allowance. The main cities offer a diverse selection of homes and flats at rentals. The majority of Western expatriates reside in housing complexes with amenities such as cable television, leisure facilities, childcare, limousine services, and security.

The Giga Projects

The four mega projects—Neom, Qiddiya, Red Sea Project, and Amaala—are billed as the world's most ambitious, combining technology, sustainability, and natural environments.

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's monarch and prime minister, pushed the projects in the run-up to the country's hosting of the G20 conference.

NEOM: The NEOM project, which stands for "a new future," is being developed in Saudi Arabia's northwest on the Red Sea.

By 2025, the first portion of the 26,500-square-kilometer complex, which stretches over Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, will be completed.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and international investors are anticipated to contribute more than $500 billion to the project.

It serves more than 1 million people and comprises towns, ports, research zones, entertainment venues, and tourism sites.

The world's largest renewable hydrogen plant would also be used to power the project.

According to the development website, the district's cornerstone would be liveability, with industry centred on 16 areas to pioneer economic growth.

The website for the 2020 G20 summit stated, "Neom is the most ambitious project on Earth, a daring concept, and a vision of what a new future for mankind will look like." “Neom will harness our greatest resource—imagination—to build an altogether new blueprint for sustainability and liveability,” says Sarah Leah Whitson, former regional executive director of Human Rights Watch.

The Giga Projects

Qiddiya: Qiddiya, a sports, leisure, and culture precinct 40 kilometres north of Riyadh, has also been named as a Saudi Vision 2030 mega project.

The cultural capital's construction began in 2019 to provide opportunities for young people and boost domestic tourism.

The first phase of the GIGA project, which is expected to be finished by 2023, consists of anchor attractions and infrastructure.

Phase two of the precinct extension is anticipated to be finished by 2026, with phase three continuing until 2031.

Seventy per cent of the 334-square-kilometre land was set aside for an eco-zone, with the remainder going to resorts, attractions, commercial enterprises, and a "thriving community" of dwelling units.

According to the 2020 G20 Summit website, “Qiddiya will define tomorrow's multi-sector economy, assist guarantee sustainable growth, and increase the quality of services to citizens.”

The Giga Projects

The Red Sea Project The Red Sea Project, which spans 28,000 square kilometres of land and more than 90 natural islands on Saudi Arabia's west coast, would strengthen the country's luxury tourism industry.

The project is being developed by a closed joint-stock company controlled by Saudi Arabia's national wealth fund.

The fund has SAR10 billion in tenderers for the Red Sea Project, with roughly a fourth already granted.

On two of the island's resorts and five islands, the concept by architecture firm WATG and engineering consultancy firm Buro Happold comprises 3,000 rooms spread over 14 premium and hyper-luxury hotels.

Work on the worker cabins has already begun, and by 2030, there will be a new airport, yacht marina, and 8,000 rooms for lodging.

According to the G20 Summit website, “the Red Sea Project will establish new sustainable development and service excellence benchmarks.”

Mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes, a barrier reef, desert panoramas, and old cultural and heritage monuments make up the destination's very varied terrain.

The Giga Projects

Amaala: The "Riviera of the Middle East," which will be headed by the Public Investment Fund in collaboration with the private sector, will be built on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea northwest coast.

The 28,000-square-kilometer Amaala property will include camel racing, falconry, golf, tennis, equestrian, and polo activities, as well as luxury resorts and health retreats.

There will be 835 villas and 30 hotels and condominiums to accommodate visitors and locals alike.

The construction of Amaala was supposed to begin this year and be finished by 2028, but the Covid-19 epidemic might put that date back.

Amaala and the other projects will lessen Saudi Arabia's reliance on oil and expand public service sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism, according to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's Vision 2030.

According to the 2020 G20 Summit website, “smart technology will also provide unique, personalized services from the moment Travelers begin researching their trip, all the way through to their return home, and beyond.”

“The destination will run on renewable energy 24 hours a day, and environmental markers will be tracked in real-time by a destination-wide system of sensors.”

Places to Stay

Ritz Carlton: The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, keeps its palatial heritage alive by welcoming visitors with a beautiful fountain, imposing arches, and traditional Saudi Arabian hospitality. The five-star hotel, which is located along the Al Hamra corniche and overlooks the Red Sea, is a popular location for international business visitors, honeymooners, pilgrims traveling to Makkah, and families looking for a weekend getaway.

Voco Jeddah North: Guests staying at Voco Jeddah North will enjoy a one-of-a-kind luxury experience in a fantastic location. The hotel will include 145 rooms with a strong, distinct personality, a variety of best-in-class amenities, and friendly service.

The hotel is ideal for upmarket business clients since it is one of the closest hotels to the new Jeddah airport and has 1,710 square meters of conference and banqueting space (containing two ballrooms of 500 square meters and 400 square meters). IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality firm headquartered in the United Kingdom, was crowned 'Green Hotel Chain of the Year' at the Finder Green Awards and rated second in the Business Traveler Asia Pacific awards for Best Business Hotel Brand in Europe and the Middle East/Africa.

Habitas Al Ula Resort: This eco-friendly resort mixes in with AlUla's scenery, bringing visitors closer to the art, history, and ecosystem. Guests may immerse themselves in ancient civilization and local culture, from Hegra to AlUla's Old Town and beyond, in the heart of the old Nabatean area. Guests may also enjoy local-inspired spa treatments and health experiences with a Habitas touch at the hotel.

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Overview

Business Customs

Business Customs

Holidays

Business Infrastructure

The Giga Projects

The Giga Projects

The Giga Projects

The Giga Projects

Places to Stay

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