The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) has launched the second edition of its Esterdad (Refund) initiative, which will reimburse startups for paid government fees. The initiative, with a total value of 1.5 billion SAR, is designed to support emerging enterprises in their first three years of operation.
Program Overview and Mission
The Esterdad initiative is a tangible reflection of the Kingdom’s leadership in creating a stimulating and sustainable business environment. The mission is to enhance the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to building a diverse and prosperous national economy, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative aims to provide a unified and efficient digital experience for verifying eligibility and refunding government fees.
What Participants Will Receive
The initiative includes the reimbursement of the financial equivalent for ten government fees and costs. These include:
- 80% of the financial fee for expatriates.
- Publication of the articles of association.
- Commercial registration.
- Municipal license.
- Subscriptions for Saudi Post and Chambers of Commerce.
- Trademark registration.
- Economic activity licenses.
- Patent registration, which was newly added in this edition to enhance innovation.
Who Should Apply?
The initiative targets:
- Startups and emerging enterprises in their first three years of operation.
Key Dates and How to Apply
Application Deadline: Registration for the initiative is open from its launch date until the end of 2026.
Disbursement Period: The disbursement of due amounts will be done periodically for eligible SMEs and will continue until the end of 2028.
How to Apply: Eligible startups can apply through the official initiative page: Estrdad.monshaat.gov.sa
About the Organizer
The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) is a key government entity in Saudi Arabia responsible for supporting and developing the SME sector. The first edition of the Esterdad initiative benefited more than 27,000 establishments, which contributed to the creation of 89,000 jobs and had a continuity rate of 75%.
Source: Rowad Al A’mal
