As part of its ongoing “Roundtable Dialogue” series, King Abdulaziz University, represented by the Faculty of Economics and Administration, hosted a panel discussion titled “Family Businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Bin Mahfouz Auditorium, the session focused on sustainability strategies and the evolving role of family businesses in supporting national economic growth.
The discussion featured Dr. Ayth Almubarak, CEO of the National Center for Family Enterprises, as the keynote speaker. It was moderated by Dr. Basma Khoja, an expert in entrepreneurship and family business, and attended by academics and professionals engaged in the entrepreneurial and private sector landscape.
Dr. Almubarak highlighted that family businesses represent nearly 95% of registered companies in the Saudi market and are responsible for approximately 48% of private sector employment, underscoring their vital contribution to economic resilience and job creation.
He also discussed government initiatives to empower family enterprises, emphasizing the potential impact of the new Family Business Law, which provides a structured regulatory framework to support governance and long-term sustainability.
The session addressed a range of pressing challenges facing the sector, including succession planning, corporate governance, and conflict resolution, while presenting practical solutions to modernize business structures in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The event reflects King Abdulaziz University’s ongoing commitment to bridging academia and industry and to fostering national dialogue on strategic development priorities.
