Etimad is the Ministry of Finance’s platform for government tenders in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-registered company creates a supplier account with its CR and valid certificates; creating the account is free, while private companies typically pay an annual subscription to take part in tenders. Tender documents are bought per tender, and bids usually need an initial bank guarantee.
- Run by
- Ministry of Finance
- Who can register
- Companies with a Saudi CR and valid certificates
- Account
- Free to create
- To bid
- Annual private-sector subscription (confirm amount on Etimad)
- Per tender
- Tender documents and initial bank guarantee
What is Etimad?
Etimad is the unified electronic platform through which Saudi ministries, authorities and other government entities publish tenders, receive bids and award contracts under the Government Tenders and Procurement Law.
Requirements
- Valid Commercial Registration with the relevant activities
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- Zakat and VAT certificates
- GOSI and Saudization (Nitaqat) certificates
- National Address and bank IBAN
- An authorized person with a national digital identity to sign in
Step by step
- Create the supplier account and verify it with your CR details.
- Complete the company profile, activities and contact details.
- Pay the annual subscription when you are ready to bid (confirm the current amount on the platform before paying).
- Follow tenders in your activities, buy the tender documents, prepare the technical and financial offers and submit the initial guarantee.
Costs to plan for
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Account creation | Free |
| Subscription to bid | Annual, for private companies (commonly cited as SAR 1,500; confirm on Etimad) |
| Tender documents | Priced per tender by the government entity |
| Initial guarantee | Bank guarantee as set in the tender documents |
Local content and SMEs
Government procurement in Saudi Arabia gives preference to local content and local SMEs in many tenders, overseen by the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA). A local content certificate can strengthen your bids.
How Luba helps
We register and verify your Etimad account, set your activities, prepare tender documents and offers, and coordinate guarantees. See our vendor registration service.
Frequently asked questions
Is Etimad registration free?
Creating and verifying a supplier account is free. Private companies typically pay an annual subscription to take part in tenders; confirm the current amount on Etimad before paying.
Can a foreign company register on Etimad?
Etimad is designed for companies registered in Saudi Arabia, so a foreign company normally needs a Saudi entity (MISA investment registration and CR) first.
How long does Etimad registration take?
With valid documents, an account can usually be created and verified within days. Preparing for and winning tenders takes longer.
What is an initial guarantee on Etimad?
It is a bank guarantee submitted with your bid to show commitment. The amount and form are set out in each tender’s documents.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current rules with the official authority or our team before applying.
