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Vision 2030 has already changed how business is done in Saudi Arabia, and the next five years promise just as much change. On 29 September 2026, around 180 business, investment and policy leaders came together at Bab Samhan in Diriyah for the inaugural Economic Forum by Servcorp to discuss what comes next. Powered by EMIR (Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research), with the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA) as a strategic partner, the forum looked at what these shifts mean for companies building and growing here.
The discussion matters well beyond the room. Non-oil activity made up 55% of the economy in 2025, nearly 600 international companies have set up regional bases since 2021, and women's participation in the workforce has roughly doubled since 2017. For businesses in Saudi Arabia, that means more competition, more potential partners and more opportunity.
With so much being said about Saudi Arabia's growth, the challenge for any business is knowing what to act on. "Getting information is actually much easier, but there is much more noise," said David Godchaux, Servcorp's CEO for the Middle East, Europe and America. "The goal is to try and find the signal in the middle of the noise." Here are five signals that stood out.
What the forum's leaders said
Opportunity remains, but growth will be harder won
"Things are going to be tougher, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities," said one economist. With public spending under pressure worldwide, private investment will need to do more of the work. Saudi Arabia is well placed, but local businesses will have to compete harder for capital, talent and customers.
Resilience now comes at a price
From infrastructure to shipping, speakers kept returning to resilience, summed up by one as "Repair, redundancy and resiliency." A more resilient operation costs more, but it copes far better when conditions change. For local businesses, that means building some slack into their plans.
AI success depends on culture
With 2026 declared the Year of AI, speakers agreed that culture, not technology, is the hardest part of adoption. Real value comes from preparing data and choosing the right use cases. For most businesses, starting with one or two clear use cases beats a company-wide rollout.
Capital follows presence
Investors and policymakers agreed that reading about the market is no substitute for engaging with it. "You've got to be present," said one panelist. Businesses hoping to attract partners need a professional base and a clear story about how they are structured.
A smaller core, a more flexible workforce
Godchaux argued that AI enables a smaller permanent core, supported by technology, freelancers and specialists. The real question is redesigning roles around where people add the most value. For growing businesses, that means deciding which roles must be permanent before committing to more space and headcount.
How Servcorp can help
So how do you act on all this? Be present, stay flexible and keep fixed costs low. That's where Servcorp comes in.
Start lean with a professional address
For startups, freelancers and new ventures, a Servcorp virtual office provides a professional business address, a local phone number and a receptionist who answers your calls, with coworking access when you need a desk. Depending on your activity and legal structure, the address may also support your Saudi CR, and Servcorp's Saudi team can help eligible businesses with company setup.
Meet investors and partners in the right setting
Meeting rooms at addresses such as King Abdullah Financial District and Al Faisaliah Centre can be booked when you need them, giving you a professional setting for investor, partner and client meetings without the cost of a full office.
Grow without the fixed costs
There is no fit-out to pay for and no long lease to sign. One monthly fee covers reception, IT support and cleaning, and desks can be added or reduced without penalty. Members can also use more than 150 Servcorp offices in 19 countries, giving teams a base wherever business takes them.
Servcorp locations across Saudi Arabia
Servcorp opened its first Saudi location in Jeddah in 2009 and has since grown to 14 locations and more than 20 floors across four cities. Al Faisaliah Centre on King Fahd Road is the longest-running Servcorp location in the Kingdom.
In Riyadh, location often follows sector. Financial and professional services firms have long gravitated towards King Fahd Road and King Abdullah Financial District, while the city's newer business districts, home to developments such as STC Square, are drawing a growing mix of companies.
Beyond its nine locations in Riyadh, Servcorp has two offices in Jeddah, two in Madinah and one in Al Khobar.
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