MISA Market Entry: A Global Technology Company's Saudi Commercial Launch

Client Profile

A publicly listed European enterprise software company with €800 million in annual revenue seeking to establish a Saudi commercial entity to bid on $2.3 billion in Vision 2030 digitisation contracts.

Business Challenge

The client had no Saudi presence, no Arabic-language capability, and no experience navigating Saudi regulatory processes. The target contracts required MISA licensing, Aramco vendor prequalification, and a demonstration of genuine Saudi market commitment — including a Saudization-compliant HR structure.

Strategic Solution

ILS Consultancy managed the end-to-end MISA licensing process, including investment licence application, commercial registration with the Ministry of Commerce, chamber of commerce membership, and ZATCA VAT registration. We simultaneously developed a Saudization (Nitaqat) compliance roadmap, identified and contracted three Saudi advisory board members, and established the Riyadh office operational infrastructure.

Outcome

The entity was fully licensed and commercially registered within the target timeline. The client successfully prequalified as an Aramco vendor within 6 months and was shortlisted for two Vision 2030 digitisation contracts worth a combined SAR 180 million in year one.

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