Discover new Russian – Egyptian business opportunities and updates on the Saudi Arabia investment law

Date: 19 January 2026 at 11.00 am Cairo time

The Online Round Table provides insights for the Russian business community through meeting our experts from the corporate department team to identify untapped investment potential in the Egyptian and the Saudi Arabia market.

Egyptian investment opportunities

Egypt represents one of the most promising investment destinations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With its strategic geographic position bridging Africa, Asia, and Europe, Egypt serves as a natural hub for trade and investment — offering direct access to a consumer market exceeding 1.4 billion people through numerous free trade agreements, including those with COMESA, GAFTA, the EU, and the UK.

For the Russian companies, Egypt is not only a local market but also can be used as a regional export base for reaching Africa and Europe with preferential trade terms. The Egyptian government has implemented a series of investment-friendly reforms, including the modernization of the Investment Law, simplified company incorporation procedures, enhanced investor protection guarantees, and the establishment of industrial and free zones that provide significant tax and customs exemptions.

Given the recent developments and remarkable progress in its economic conditions, the Arab Republic of Egypt (“Egypt”), has become one of the most attractive investment destinations in the Arab world. Egypt has countless investments and many investors in the Middle East.

Additionally, Egypt’s cost-effective labor force, developed logistics network, and ongoing mega projects such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) and the New Administrative Capital further strengthen its attractiveness to foreign investors seeking long-term stability and regional expansion.

An investor wishing to make an investment in Egypt shall establish a legal entity with legal controls and regulations. Under the Egyptian law, a company is a distinct legal entity formed by contract for commercial purposes, separating owners from the business, with liability typically limited to capital contributions (e.g., shares or quotas) for types like LLCs and JSCs, under the primary regulation of Law No. 159 of 1981, which defines various structures including Joint Stock Companies, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), and newer One-Person Companies (OPCs).

Saudi-Russian trade exchange

The establishment of the Russian-Saudi Joint Committee and the Russian-Saudi Business Council has contributed to developing relations between the two countries in various fields, diversifying and expanding the base of economic cooperation, and creating a commercial and investment foundation capable of driving trade exchange forward. In 2023, the total trade volume between the two countries reached SAR12,514,345,134, with non-oil national exports amounting to SAR48,525,652, including aluminum and its products, plastics and their products, various types of common metals, fruits, and organic chemical products.

To strengthen economic and business cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia, the Russian-Saudi Business Council was established recently with an emphasis on developing sustainable partnerships in strategic industries. Special attention is paid to creating favorable business conditions and developing bilateral economic cooperation, including removing barriers, supporting entrepreneurship and exploring new opportunities in technological and tourism sectors.

On the sidelines of the Russian-Saudi Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh on December 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Russia signed an agreement granting mutual visa-free entry for citizens of both countries. Under the new arrangement, passport-holding citizens of both countries will be allowed visa-free entry for tourism, business or family visits.

Investment is of fundamental importance in the roadmap drawn up by the Kingdom through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, where the Kingdom aims in the second pillar of its vision to become a global investment force through stimulating the economy and diversifying total revenues, improving the investment and business environment, and upgrading the Kingdom’s rankings and classification in key global indicators to create a more resilient, diverse and sustainable economy.

Saudi Arabia also offers diverse company types, with the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Joint Stock Company (JSC) being most common, alongside Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships (General & Limited), Simplified Joint Stock Companies (SJSC), and Professional Companies, allowing for 100% foreign ownership in many sectors under Vision 2030, catering to small businesses to large enterprises with varying liability and capital needs.

The National Investment Strategy issued by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (134) and dated 28/2/1443 AH, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the investment environment in the Kingdom by benefiting from the investment capabilities of the Kingdom, its geographical and strategic location that connects three continents, and providing facilities for investors and easing regulatory procedures related to the entry and establishments of investments.

Sadany & Partners Law Firm, with more than 10 years of experience in corporate, investment, and commercial law, provides comprehensive legal support for foreign businesses looking to establish or expand in Egypt. In addition, our law firm, with its office in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, assists investors at every stage from market entry strategy and due diligence to company formation, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and ongoing legal advisory services.

We look forward to welcoming you to this insightful session and to fostering stronger Russian –Egyptian business collaboration for the years ahead!

At the same time for those companies wishing to enter the Saudi Arabia market we are glad to provide legal support through our office in Riyadh to explore the investment environment in the Kingdom.

Topics to be discussed:

1. Building trust in doing business in Egypt. Overview of the applicable legislation.

2. Common mistakes in starting a business in ARE.

3. Types of legal entities that can be registered in the Egyptian jurisdiction.

4. Types of legal entities that can be registered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

5. Brief overview of the Egyptian Arbitration Law.

6. Questions from companies.