Investment leader, Samer Choucair, said: “The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) program is not just a passing investment license, but a deep strategic shift in the economic power center of the entire region. The question today is no longer ‘Should we enter the Saudi market?’, but ‘When do we move before we miss the train of opportunities?’ Riyadh today has become an indispensable strategic necessity for any global company aspiring to steer the helm of business in the Middle East and Africa.”
This vision comes in light of the brilliant success achieved by the program, as the number of approved headquarters exceeded the 600 mark, with reports indicating the commitment of more than 780 global companies to move their decision centers to the Saudi capital, surpassing the original goals of the Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City by many years.
The Essence of a Regional Headquarters.. A Transcontinental “Command Center” The report explained that a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) is legally defined as an independent entity that takes the Kingdom as a center for strategic and administrative support for the company’s branches in the “META” region and beyond. Its main tasks focus on strategic planning, regional direction, financial management, and risk management. While the headquarters acts as a “command center” that does not engage in direct commercial activities, it constitutes the mastermind of the company’s operations. This was tangibly embodied in “Lenovo” opening its regional headquarters in “Majdoul Tower” in Riyadh recently, supported by an advanced factory aiming to produce 8 million devices annually under the “Made in Saudi” slogan.
Qualification Criteria and Strict Operating Controls Samer Choucair clarified that joining the program requires meeting precise conditions to ensure the seriousness of the investment; the company must possess a legal entity in its home country and at least two active branches in two different countries outside the Kingdom. Companies also commit to implementing at least three mandatory activities, including strategic planning and human resources development, with the possibility of adding optional activities such as Research and Development (R&D). On the operational level, the company must hire 15 full-time employees during the first year, including three officials in senior executive positions, with actual operations commencing within six months and board meetings being held periodically in Riyadh.
Golden Incentives.. 30 Years of Tax Exemption and Operational Flexibility Samer Choucair pointed to the exceptional incentive packages that made the program an offer not to be missed, where companies are granted a 0% tax exemption on corporate income and on withholding tax for dividend distributions for a renewable 30-year period. Beside the financial benefits, the program provides unprecedented human flexibility, including a ten-year exemption from “Saudization” and immediate work visas for up to 250 visas, in addition to top priority in winning major government contracts and tenders, which is a primary driver for the growth of global companies within the Saudi market.
Choucair’s Roadmap for the Future.. The Investment “Snowball Effect” In his analysis of long-term results, Samer Choucair confirmed that the RHQ program has created a “snowball effect” that attracts qualitative investments and enhances knowledge transfer and the localization of innovation. Choucair believes that companies moving today gain an irreplaceable competitive advantage, as they benefit from direct access to sovereign projects and tax stability that supports long-term planning. Samer Choucair concluded his vision by emphasizing that Riyadh is no longer just a business destination, but has become a strategic partner building an integrated ecosystem with global companies that serves the objectives of Vision 2030 and changes the face of the digital economy in the region.