LEGAL STATUS & INSTITUTIONAL POSITION
The Saudi Business Council (SBC) is an independent, non-profit, private-sector association legally registered in the National Register of Associations (Registro Nacional de Asociaciones) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Spain (Ministerio del Interior del Reino de España) under National Registration Number 633101.
Established in accordance with Spanish law, the Council possesses its own legal personality and operates in accordance with its registered Statutes as an independent association dedicated to advancing economic diplomacy, international cooperation, strategic partnerships, responsible investment dialogue, and knowledge exchange in support of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Council conducts its activities within the framework of its registered Statutes and in full compliance with the legal obligations applicable to non-profit associations in Spain. Registration confirms the legal existence of the association under Spanish law and does not confer governmental authority, sovereign powers, or public functions.
Institutional Independence
The Saudi Business Council operates independently of any government while maintaining constructive relationships with public institutions, private organizations, academic institutions, development agencies, and international partners.
Institutional independence enables the Council to serve as a neutral platform for dialogue, cooperation, research, and partnership development across sectors and jurisdictions.
This independence is fundamental to the Council's mission and supports collaboration based upon professionalism, transparency, mutual respect, responsible governance, and long-term institutional trust.
Institutional Role
SBC serves as an international institutional platform supporting qualified stakeholders through:
- Economic diplomacy
- International cooperation
- Strategic partnerships
- Responsible investment dialogue
- Strategic research
- Knowledge exchange
- Partnership architecture
- International convening
- Capacity building
- Institutional connectivity
The Council develops structured institutional pathways that assist organizations in identifying opportunities for responsible international cooperation while encouraging engagement through appropriate institutional channels.
Relationship with Public Institutions
The Saudi Business Council is not a chamber of commerce and does not operate as a governmental authority, ministry, regulator, licensing body, investment authority, diplomatic mission, or public institution.
Unless expressly authorized in writing for a specific purpose, SBC does not represent the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, or any ministry, authority, sovereign wealth fund, public agency, or other sovereign institution.
Governmental powers, regulatory responsibilities, licensing functions, public policy decisions, and sovereign authority remain exclusively within the competence of the respective public institutions of their jurisdictions.
The Council complements the work of public institutions by promoting dialogue, responsible international cooperation, and structured partnership development while fully respecting their legal mandates, governance frameworks, and independent decision-making authority.
Institutional Cooperation
The Council believes that effective international cooperation depends upon clearly defined institutional responsibilities.
Accordingly, any engagement involving ministries, authorities, sovereign investment entities, public agencies, universities, or other public institutions remains subject to the legal mandate, governance framework, internal procedures, and independent approval processes of the respective institution.
SBC neither replaces nor exercises the statutory functions of any governmental or sovereign body.
Its role is to strengthen institutional understanding, facilitate structured dialogue, encourage responsible engagement, and support the development of sustainable international partnerships.
Compliance and Good Governance
The Saudi Business Council conducts its activities in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Spain and with full respect for the legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Compliance is a fundamental principle of the Council's governance.
SBC is committed to operating with integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for applicable legislation governing associations, financial administration, data protection, intellectual property, and international cooperation.
Every programme, publication, partnership, and institutional initiative is developed within a compliance-first framework that promotes responsible organizational conduct.
Institutional Principles
The Council is guided by principles that safeguard its credibility and institutional independence.
These include:
- Integrity
- Independence
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Respect for Sovereignty
- Responsible Governance
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making
- Long-Term Stewardship
These principles govern the Council's relationships with governments, businesses, investors, universities, development institutions, civil society, and international organizations.
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030
The Saudi Business Council aligns its activities with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by encouraging international cooperation that contributes to economic diversification, innovation, knowledge exchange, responsible investment, entrepreneurship, human capital development, sustainable development, and long-term strategic partnerships.
As an independent association, SBC complements the work of relevant Saudi and international institutions while fully respecting their respective legal mandates and institutional responsibilities.
The Saudi Business Council continues to strengthen its institutional capacity as an independent platform for economic diplomacy and international cooperation.
By combining legal certainty, responsible governance, strategic research, and structured partnership development, SBC seeks to contribute to a more connected international ecosystem in which governments, businesses, universities, investors, development institutions, and international organizations can cooperate with confidence.
The Council remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of institutional integrity, transparency, professionalism, and lawful conduct while supporting responsible international cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through structured, governance-based, and implementation-oriented engagement.
The Saudi Business Council believes that effective international cooperation depends upon respect for the rule of law, institutional responsibility, and good governance.
Through compliance, transparency, and responsible institutional practice, SBC seeks to strengthen confidence among stakeholders while contributing to sustainable international cooperation in support of Saudi Vision 2030.