The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center announced the implementation of regulations governing licensing and permitting procedures for infrastructure projects in the region. This step serves as a regulatory document and a fundamental legal framework aimed at organizing the sector, enhancing implementation efficiency, and ensuring compliance with approved technical and procedural requirements, in line with the urban development witnessed by the capital.

A regulatory framework to keep pace with the growth of Riyadh

These new regulations come at a time when the Riyadh region is experiencing unprecedented development, requiring precise regulatory frameworks to ensure the quality of work and minimize visual pollution or traffic disruptions caused by excavations and infrastructure projects. These regulations are an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives, which aim to improve the quality of life in cities by developing infrastructure according to the highest international standards and ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure projects.

Scope of application and target groups

The center clarified that the new regulations apply to all entities operating in this vital sector, and the list includes:

• Project owners.
• Supervising authorities.
• The contractors who carry out the work.
• Consulting firms.
• Quality laboratories.

The regulatory framework precisely defined the requirements for obtaining licenses and permits, classifying them into 10 detailed types of licenses (planned and unplanned), in addition to 5 types of permits for various businesses, with the aim of governing the relationship between the concerned parties and raising compliance rates.

Strict requirements for issuance and renewal

To ensure quality, the center established strict licensing requirements, including the submission of a comprehensive implementation plan, an approved traffic management plan, the appointment of a licensed consulting firm and quality control laboratory, and photographic documentation of the work site. The regulations also emphasized the necessity of the project being included in the approved detailed master plan and the payment of inspection fees.

Regarding renewal, the regulations stipulated the possibility of renewal after fulfilling the requirements, with double fees imposed in case of delay, and setting maximum renewal periods not exceeding half the original license period, to ensure the speed of project completion and prevent disruption.

"Usul" program and digital transformation

The implementation of these controls is directly linked to the "Usul" program launched by the center, a comprehensive transformation program encompassing a range of technical and regulatory initiatives. The program aims to automate procedures and enhance operational efficiency, making it easier for investors and contractors to obtain licenses and monitor workflow, and achieving integration among the various service providers in the capital.

Suspension and compensation mechanisms

In order to preserve the rights of all parties, the regulations have organized cases of license suspension (in whole or in part) for reasons related to the public interest or spatial coordination, with the owner obligating the licensee to compensate the licensee for the suspension period, unless the reason is due to the licensee's breach of his obligations, which enhances the investment environment in the contracting and infrastructure sector.

The Saudi capital, Riyadh, concluded today the activities of “Riyadh International Dispute Resolution Week 2026”, which began at the beginning of February, bringing to a close one of the most prominent legal events in the region, which witnessed high-level participation that included government leaders, ministers of justice, judges, and an elite group of legal and arbitration experts, in addition to business leaders from various countries around the world.

Enhancing the legislative environment in light of Vision 2030

The success of this international event reflects the rapid development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's legislative and judicial environment, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to create an attractive and secure investment climate. Developing dispute resolution and commercial arbitration mechanisms is a cornerstone for reassuring both foreign and domestic investors. These mechanisms contribute to the swift resolution of complex commercial cases outside of traditional courtrooms, thereby enhancing the stability of economic transactions.

Discussing arbitration issues in a turbulent world

Under the theme “Reliable Dispute Resolution in a Turbulent World,” the conference addressed vital topics focusing on the importance of sound governance and legal clarity in fostering trust and stability. The intensive program included keynote speeches and five specialized panel discussions that explored the growth prospects of the global dispute resolution industry.

The Arab Judicial Forum on the New York Convention was a prominent event, bringing together 50 judges from 22 Arab countries with 20 international experts. Participants discussed challenges in implementing the 1958 New York Convention, the scope of judicial review of arbitration awards, and the interpretation of "public policy" as grounds for refusal to enforce awards. This contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms for enforcing judgments and enhanced judicial predictability.

International partnerships and building future capabilities

The week witnessed an international celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), in a move that reflected the depth of the partnership between the Kingdom and international organizations, and highlighted UNCITRAL’s role in unifying the rules of international trade.

In terms of capacity building, the seventh edition of the International Commercial Arbitration Competition concluded, with the participation of student teams from law and Sharia colleges from 25 countries. The students undertook a nine-month competitive journey, which included preparing legal briefs and oral arguments in hypothetical cases, contributing to the development of a new generation of qualified practitioners according to the highest international standards.

Record numbers and global participation

The final indicators revealed the event's resounding success, with 95 live events featuring 380 speakers. Actual attendance exceeded 6,100 participants representing 104 nationalities, while the week's digital platform recorded over 8,300 active accounts, underscoring Riyadh's growing stature as a leading regional and international hub for legal dialogue and shaping the future of commercial justice.