The Growing Role of Saudi Cooperatives in Boosting Regional Development
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia marked the International Day of Cooperatives with 581 cooperative societies operating across the Kingdom, comprising more than 75,000 members and contributing approximately SR2.673 billion ($712 million) to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP.
The societies work across agriculture, tourism, culture, housing, and other sectors, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting local development, community participation, and the growth of the third sector.
Observed on the first Saturday of July, the day highlights the role of cooperatives in advancing sustainable development by enabling people to pool resources and expertise for the benefit of local communities. The Kingdom’s cooperative sector is supported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through the General Directorate of Cooperative Societies, which works to strengthen the regulatory environment and support the growth of cooperatives.
The directorate also helps cooperatives expand their developmental and economic roles while improving the efficiency and sustainability of their operations. In 2025, more than 8,000 people benefited from cooperative empowerment programs, reflecting the sector’s growing role in supporting local communities, economic empowerment, and sustainable development across the Kingdom.
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