Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi intellectual property ecosystem is increasingly shaping the growth and valuation of small businesses, according to Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Swailem, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

Speaking during a panel session at the Innovation Week, organized by Monsha’at in partnership with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Al-Swailem revealed that SMEs holding intellectual property rights can see their economic value increase by up to 65% compared to those without.

He noted that investment attractiveness rises significantly depending on the type of IP owned, increasing fivefold with patents, sixfold with trademarks, and up to tenfold when both are combined.

Al-Swailem added that awareness of intellectual property in Saudi Arabia has grown from 52% in 2018 to over 70% today, while compliance levels rose from 54% to 71%, reflecting stronger recognition of IP protection’s importance.

He emphasized that intellectual property has become a key economic pillar, enabling the establishment and expansion of SMEs into new markets. The authority is currently working to build an integrated ecosystem that maximizes the value of intangible assets and ensures their sustainable growth.

Innovation Week concluded with strong participation, hosting nine panel discussions, 51 entrepreneurial meetups, and over 1,380 advisory sessions, with more than 2,300 entrepreneurs and innovation enthusiasts in attendance.