The total value of the fashion industry in Saudi Arabia reached SAR 92.3 billion ($24.6 billion) during the first quarter of 2024, with local fashion accounting for SAR 46.9 billion ($12.5 billion), according to a report by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at).
The value of spending on imported brands amounted to SAR 27.4 billion ($7.3 billion), increasing the expected cumulative growth of the fashion sector by 48 percent between 2021 and 2025.
In its report for the first quarter of 2024, Monsha’at highlighted the importance of the fashion sector in the Kingdom and the great investment opportunities available to entrepreneurs.
In his opening letter of the report, CEO of the Fashion Commission Burak Cakmak said the future of fashion in Saudi Arabia will witness further progress and prosperity thanks to the Kingdom’s designers and the visions of its entrepreneurs that will leave an impact on the global fashion scene.
The report featured an interview with Saud Al-Sabhan, Deputy Governor for Entrepreneurship at Monsha’at, who emphasized the Authority’s role in supporting entrepreneurs and owners of SMEs through various programs and initiatives.
CEO and Founder of MAGNiTT Philip Bahoshy said the Kingdom continued to excel in the volume of venture capital investments at the beginning of 2024, with investments worth a total of SAR 900 million ($240 million).
He added that Saudi Arabia has the largest share of the volume of venture capital investments in the Middle East and North Africa region, at 65 percent.
The report reviewed success stories of male and female entrepreneurs in the field, including Princess Deemah bint Mansour bin Saud al-Saud, the founder of Personage, designer Mohammed Khoja, co-founder of Hindamme, and others.