Okaz has learned that the Saudi Business Center prohibits sole traders and individuals who own companies related to the same owner from “issuing, transferring ownership, or entering as a partner” until six months have passed since the individual last owned another commercial register.
There is no transfer of register between owners.
The Center said that if the ownership of a commercial register is transferred from one person to another in a private institution or company related to the same owner, it will not be allowed to transfer the ownership of the register again until six months have elapsed, and this restriction also applies to the commercial register itself.
In previous periods, a memorandum was issued if the owner of a recently issued sole trader wished to issue another new commercial register. The memo stated, “The new owner may not take possession of the sole proprietorship until six months have passed from the date of the last ownership transfer.”
According to the latest data until the end of 2025, the total number of commercial establishments in the Kingdom is approximately 1,765,667, distributed in various sizes, with the number of small establishments reaching 166,624, the number of small establishments reaching 4,302, the number of medium establishments reaching 1,572,780, and the number of large establishments reaching about 21,961. facility.
It is worth noting that last year the second phase of the ‘Recovery’ initiative was launched to refund government payments to businesses and to support and empower small and medium-sized enterprises. This initiative has enabled beneficiaries to recover fees for 10 government services, enhancing their sustainability and growth. Additionally, the financial allocation for this initiative amounted to R1.5 billion.
Al-Iqtisadia learned that the Saudi Business Center prohibits sole traders and individual owners of companies related to the same owner from “issuing, transferring ownership, or entering as a partner” until six months have passed since the individual last owned another commercial register.
No transfer of registration between owners
The Center clarified that if the ownership of a commercial register of a sole proprietorship or a company related to the same owner is transferred from one person to another, the ownership of that registration cannot be transferred again until six months have passed, and this restriction also applies to the commercial register itself.
Recently, a notice has been issued to sole traders who wish to issue a new commercial register: “The new owner cannot take possession of the sole trader until six months have passed since the date of the last transfer of ownership.”
According to the latest data up to the end of 2025, the total number of commercial facilities in the Kingdom has reached approximately 1,765,667 stores, distributed in various sizes, with the number of small facilities being 166,624, the number of small facilities being 4,302, the number of medium facilities being 1,572,780, and the number of large facilities being approximately 21,961.
It is worth noting that last year, the second round of the “Refund” initiative was launched to refund fees paid by the government to business establishments in order to support and empower small, medium and micro enterprises. This initiative enabled the benefited establishments to recover fees for 10 government services and strengthen their sustainability and growth, and the financial allocation for this initiative amounted to SR 1.5 billion.
