Key Takeaways
- • Private-sector bank credit in Saudi Arabia reached SR3.324 trillion (about $885 billion) in September 2026, up 6% year-on-year and SR27.8 billion month-on-month, according to the Federation of Saudi Chambers' "Voice of Business" report.
- • SME financing rose 16.5% year-on-year to SR490.8 billion in Q2 2026, representing 11.7% of total credit facilities.
- • New investment registrations hit 9,018 in Q2 2026 versus 2,561 in Q2 2025, though the federation noted a change in registration methodology.
- • Six regions outside Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province outpaced the national private-sector employment growth rate of 7%, led by Najran at 45.7%.
- • A new Commercial Transactions Law with 271 articles takes effect 180 days after publication, replacing three existing commercial statutes.
Summary
The Federation of Saudi Chambers, in its "Voice of Business" report, reported that bank credit extended to the Kingdom's private sector reached SR3.324 trillion in September 2026, a 6% increase year-on-year and a SR27.8 billion rise from August. The dollar equivalent of roughly $885 billion is derived from the riyal figure at the standard peg.
Small and medium-sized enterprise financing grew 16.5% year-on-year to SR490.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 11.7% of total credit facilities. The report also cited 9,018 new investment registrations in Q2 2026, compared with 2,561 in the same period of 2025, though the federation flagged a change in registration methodology that limits direct comparability.
The report highlighted labor market developments as well. Women hold 48% of active business registrations, the number of Saudi women employed in the private sector rose to 1.13 million, and female labor force participation reached 33.7%, up from 18% in 2017. Six regions outside Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province exceeded the national private-sector employment growth rate of 7% in Q2 2026, with Najran leading at 45.7%, followed by Hail (13.7%), Qassim (11.5%), the Northern Borders (10.5%), Asir (9%) and Jazan (7.9%).
On the regulatory front, the federation outlined the new Commercial Transactions Law, which comprises 271 articles and consolidates the Commercial Law, the Commercial Papers Law and the Commercial Books Law. The legislation governs commercial sales, supply, brokerage and agency activities and takes effect 180 days after publication, giving businesses time to review contracts and procedures.
Small and medium-sized enterprise financing grew 16.5% year-on-year to SR490.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 11.7% of total credit facilities. The report also cited 9,018 new investment registrations in Q2 2026, compared with 2,561 in the same period of 2025, though the federation flagged a change in registration methodology that limits direct comparability.
The report highlighted labor market developments as well. Women hold 48% of active business registrations, the number of Saudi women employed in the private sector rose to 1.13 million, and female labor force participation reached 33.7%, up from 18% in 2017. Six regions outside Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province exceeded the national private-sector employment growth rate of 7% in Q2 2026, with Najran leading at 45.7%, followed by Hail (13.7%), Qassim (11.5%), the Northern Borders (10.5%), Asir (9%) and Jazan (7.9%).
On the regulatory front, the federation outlined the new Commercial Transactions Law, which comprises 271 articles and consolidates the Commercial Law, the Commercial Papers Law and the Commercial Books Law. The legislation governs commercial sales, supply, brokerage and agency activities and takes effect 180 days after publication, giving businesses time to review contracts and procedures.
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