The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority ”Monsha’at” organized a panel discussion as part of the Franchise Tour held in the Hail region, under the theme: “The Role of Franchising and Entrepreneurship in Driving Economic Growth in Hail.” The session brought together a number of specialists and entrepreneurs to discuss the region’s unique advantages and promising investment prospects.

During the session, participants shed light on Hail’s competitive strengths and the emerging opportunities across various sectors. The discussion also emphasized the importance of franchising as a dynamic and sustainable business model that supports economic expansion and entrepreneurial growth.

Hussam Al-Dulaigan, Director of Strategic Planning and Studies at the Hail Region Development Authority, presented the region’s key geographic and economic features. He highlighted Hail’s central location, which connects the north and south of the Kingdom as well as the east and west, in addition to its diverse landscape, moderate climate, and its rich cultural and historical heritage, including several UNESCO-recognized sites. These characteristics have contributed to the growth of strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, food industries, and logistics.

Al-Dulaigan also pointed to significant market growth in several sectors within the region, including a cumulative growth rate of 11% in the food and beverage market, 23% in the restaurant sector, 16% in general goods and services, 30% in petroleum services, and 7% in healthcare services.
Dr. Maali Al-Shammari, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director at Hail University, explained that the center plays an active role in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the university. This is achieved through specialized training and research programs, initiatives supporting intellectual property registration, and connecting projects with incubators and accelerators.

Meanwhile, Musab Al-Rakhis, Secretary-General of the Hail Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the franchise model in empowering entrepreneurs and minimizing investment risks. He noted that the Chamber has launched several training and awareness programs for entrepreneurs and SME owners, aimed at helping them seize franchising opportunities and connect with financing and support entities