How to sell to the Government of Saudi Arabia
Checked 2026-10-31
A Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) is required to access Etimad. Early 2026 changes to the regional-headquarters (RHQ) rule let non-RHQ foreign firms win only in two defined cases.
Procurement portals
How to take part
- Prepare CR, MISA investment licence, Chamber membership, Zakat certificate, corporate bank account, VAT and GOSI registration
- Sector approvals: construction (Bina), training (TVTC), insurance (SAMA)
- Open an Etimad account and check the method: general, limited (usually up to five firms), two-stage (RFI→RFP) or framework
- Consulting is often 70–80% technical score; construction and supply weigh price more
- Build an Arabic document library early
Local preference & limits
- Non-RHQ firms win only if (1) at most one technically compliant bid exists, or (2) they rank top technically and are at least 25% cheaper than the second-best
- Contracts up to SAR 1 million (about US$266,000) are exempt from the RHQ rule
- Check local content (LCGPA) requirements separately
Bid language · Mostly Arabic (portal not fully in English)
Good to know
- Monshaat-certified SMEs get extra points and bid-bond exemption
- Many buyers score technical and financial proposals separately
Sources
Summary of public sources. Check the original and latest rules before bidding.
