Agri-food · Industry · Energy

Russia & CIS guide: entering Saudi Arabia the right way

Saudi Arabia is an important market for grain, industrial products, energy services and technology from Russia and the CIS. We help companies set up, license and find partners in the Kingdom, with compliance screening built into every step.

Talk to us Sectors

Sectors where we see demand

Grain and agri-food

Wheat, barley, oilseeds and processed foods are steady import categories. Products need SFDA compliance and a reliable Saudi importer.

Industry and machinery

Equipment, metals, chemicals and industrial services fit the Kingdom's drive for local manufacturing.

Energy and mining services

Engineering, maintenance and technology for energy and mining projects, often through vendor registration with large Saudi buyers.

Compliance first

International sanctions affect many companies, banks and transactions connected to Russia. Before we start, we screen the company, its owners and the planned activity, and we decline work that applicable law does not allow. Banks and Saudi partners carry out their own checks, so a clean, documented structure from day one saves time.

How we work

Screening and review

Compliance screening, then a review of your products, customers and the rules that apply.

Entry route

Distributor, branch, Saudi company or joint venture: we compare the options and the banking reality.

Licenses and partners

MISA, commercial registration, SFDA, SABER or industrial files, and introductions to Saudi partners.

Food and agricultural exports

Food sold in Saudi Arabia must meet Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) requirements: product registration where required, Arabic labelling, and for meat and poultry, establishment approval and halal certification from an accredited body. Exporters usually sell through a registered Saudi importer. See SFDA food registration.

Setting up a company

A foreign company usually starts with a Ministry of Investment (MISA) license and a commercial registration. Manufacturers add an industrial license, and suppliers to large Saudi buyers often need vendor registration. Opening a bank account can take longer when owners or payment flows are linked to sanctioned jurisdictions, so we plan it early. See investing in Saudi Arabia.

Russia & CIS guide: frequently asked questions

Do sanctions apply in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia applies its own laws and UN measures, but banks, partners and foreign suppliers often apply other sanctions regimes as well. That is why we screen every project and structure it to stand up to those checks.

Can we open a Saudi company with Russian shareholders?

It is often possible with a MISA registration, subject to the activity and to screening by authorities and banks. We review your case before you invest time and money.

Do you work with companies from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other CIS countries?

Yes. This desk serves Russian-speaking companies from across the region.

Will you take on any project?

No. We decline projects involving sanctioned persons, prohibited goods or end uses, or unclear ownership.

Planning your entry into Saudi Arabia?

Send us a short description of your company and products. We start with screening and an honest assessment.

Talk to us info@rdo.sa