RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing issued 238,800 commercial licenses in 2021, down 31 percent from 2020, according to a report published in Argaam. In 2021, Saudi Arabia issued 62,300 new licenses were issued, accounting for 26 percent of the total licenses issued. That year, 176,500 licenses were renewed, which accounts for 74% of total licenses. In the same year, 88,100 of total issued licenses were in the wholesale trade and retail sector. In addition, 73,790 licenses were issued in the electricity, gas, steam supply, and air conditioning sector.