Saudi Arabia Mandates 70% Saudization for Project Management and GCC Unifies Property Ownership Rules

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources has issued a decision requiring the localization of 70% of jobs in the project management sector, taking effect on February 14, 2027, as part of the Kingdom's efforts to increase localization rates in specialized sectors.

The decision targets project management companies operating in the Kingdom, mandating them to employ Saudis in seven out of every ten operational and managerial positions. The ministry explained that the sector currently comprises around 12,000 employees, which means the need to localize thousands of jobs over the coming months.

On the regional Gulf level, the Gulf Cooperation Council approved during its meeting held on July 22, 2026, a unified framework for governing real estate ownership, granting citizens of GCC countries equal rights to own real estate across the six member states, with the aim of stimulating cross-border real estate investment and boosting Gulf economic integration.

The two decisions come within the context of a Gulf legislative wave reshaping labor and investment rules in the region — as Gulf governments seek to strike a delicate balance between attracting foreign talent on one hand, and raising the level of citizen participation in the labor market and investment on the other.

What do these terms mean?

Saudization (Nitaqat): A Saudi government system that obligates companies to employ a specific percentage of Saudi citizens, varying according to company size and sector. Non-compliant companies face restrictions on recruiting foreign labor.

Real Estate Ownership Governance Framework: A unified legal framework established by the GCC states to regulate the right of Gulf citizens to purchase and own real estate in other GCC nations, replacing the current variations in each country's requirements.

Gulf Economic Integration: A process of economic convergence among the six GCC countries aimed at unifying economic policies and enabling the free movement of people, goods, and capital, similar to major regional economic blocs.