Special Economic Zones and Industrial Cities in Saudi Arabia

E. S. Biryukov S. Biryukov () and A. A. Kolomeytseva ()

International Trade and Trade Policy, 2025, vol. 11, issue 2

Abstract: Saudi Arabia's policy of creating special economic zones and industrial centers has been studied. It shows both new trends in Riyadh's policy (the creation of specialized economic zones starting in 2023) and the continuing traditional approach for the Kingdom aimed at creating industrial centers with housing and logistics infrastructure. The characteristics of each of the five new special economic zones, including their industry specialization, are given. It was noted that the dynamics of foreign direct investment is lagging behind the planned schedule, and therefore public investment plays an active role. The process of creating special economic zones is considered in the general contest of the Saudi reform program "Vision 2030". It is shown that so called industrial cities played key role in the spatial development and creation of Saudi Arabia's manufacturing landscape from scratch, and they are of greater importance for the Kingdom, than special economic zones. Saudi approach to planning territorial location of industrial cities and their specialization is shown.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:acl:journl:y:2025:id:788

DOI: 10.21686/2410-7395-2025-2-137-154

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