Saudi Arabia investment licence secured by North East firm

The permit, granted to Woolsington-based Architects-Group by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, allows foreign investors to set up and run businesses within the country.

The acquisition of this mandatory license forms part of a larger strategy to expand into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East markets, a move prompted by robust growth in the last year and a slew of project wins.

This development will see a dedicated regional office in Riyadh, expected to be operational by late spring.

The license also allows the practice – trading as SadlerBrown in the region – to bid for numerous government and private sector contracts.

Additionally, the firm is now protected under Saudi regulations as it seeks to tap into the Middle East’s construction industry.

To aid this international expansion, architectural director Dan Cogdon and BIM manager Husham Taha have become members of the Saudi Council of Engineers.

The firm said Saudi Arabia is on track to become the world’s largest construction market, with its value estimated to exceed $180 billion by the end of 2028.

Minister of Investment Khalid AlFalih has confirmed that the country has already exceeded its Vision 2030 targets, with investments expected to reach $3.3 trillion by 2030.

The license was secured following successful in-country projects, including design work on two new metro stations in Riyadh.

The practice now plans to build on this success as it further expands.

Managing director Tony Harmieson said: “Now that we have secured the MISA license, we are extremely excited to be able to start to lay down some real foundations with clients and contacts as the next step to our expansion within the international marketplace.

“The sheer scale and number of potential developments within Saudi Arabia require experienced international design consultants with the requisite expertise and experience.

“Local consultants will undoubtedly struggle to cope with the volume of developments over the next five to 10 years.

“It was on this basis that we have teamed up with local partners to enter the Saudi market and look forward to engaging in this exceptional country’s growth.”