Saudi private-sector bank credit hits SR3.32 trillion as investment registrations surge in 2026

RIYADH — The Federation of Saudi Chambers has highlighted major shifts in the Kingdom’s economy and investment landscape, with private-sector bank credit reaching SR3.324 trillion in September 2026, up 6 percent year-on-year, and 9,018 new investment registrations recorded in Q2 2026, compared with 2,561 in the same period of 2025. The federation’s “Voice of Business” report highlighted several key economic indicators, including women’s ownership of 48 percent of active business registrations and an increase in the number of Saudi women employed in the private sector to 1.13 million. Saudi women’s labor force participation also reached 33.7 percent, compared with 18 percent in 2017. **media[2793026]** The report revealed that 9,018 new investment registrations were recorded in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 2,561 during the same period in 2025, noting a change in registration methodology. Meanwhile, bank credit extended to the private sector increased by 6 percent year-on-year to SR3.324 trillion in September 2026, marking a rise of SR27.8 billion from the previous month. Financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also increased by 16.5 percent year-on-year to SR490.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 11.7 percent of total credit facilities. The report also highlighted regional employment growth, with six regions outside Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province exceeding the national private-sector employment growth rate of 7 percent in the second quarter of 2026. Najran recorded the highest growth at 45.7 percent, followed by Hail at 13.7 percent, Qassim at 11.5 percent, the Northern Borders at 10.5 percent, Asir at 9 percent and Jazan at 7.9 percent. **media[2793027]** On the regulatory front, the federation outlined the provisions of the new Commercial Transactions Law, comprising 271 articles and replacing three existing laws: the Commercial Law, the Commercial Papers Law and the Commercial Books Law. The legislation consolidates regulations governing commercial sales, supply, brokerage and agency activities. The law will take effect 180 days after its publication, allowing businesses time to review their contracts and procedures ahead of implementation.