Saudi Arabia SSIC Code 360013: Water desalination

Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC 2026)
Classification Level: Activity | Official Code: 360013

Executive Summary & Classification Scope

SSIC code 360013 designates Water desalination (تحلية المياه) under the official Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (January 2025 / 2026 Edition, based on UN ISIC Rev. 4) administered by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Detailed Description: water production by desalination of sea water, by removing its pollutants and all or part of its salinity through a series of industrial processes, through desalination plants; To convert it into water suitable for urban, industrial and agricultural uses.

It serves as the mandatory regulatory benchmark for Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce, MISA foreign investment licensing (allowing up to 100% foreign equity ownership), municipal permits on the Balady portal, and Nitaqat Saudization quota determinations by MHRSD.

Key Classification Facts

Parameter	Official Value
Saudi SSIC Code	`360013`
Official Title (EN)	Water desalination
Official Title (AR)	تحلية المياه
Classification Level	Activity
Section Category	Section E — Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
Parent Entity Code	`3600` — Water collection, treatment and supply
Supervisory Authority	Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Licensing Entity	Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Standard Custodian	General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT)
Edition / Version	SSIC 2025 / 2026 Edition

Code	Title (EN)	Title (AR)	Details
`360011`	non-potable water abstraction	استخراج المياه غير الصالحة للشرب	View Code 360011 →
`360012`	Water Purification	تنقية المياه	View Code 360012 →
`360014`	water distribution and transfer	نقل وتوزيع المياه	View Code 360014 →
`360016`	distribution of treated water	توزيع المياه المعالجة	View Code 360016 →

Regulatory & Business Setup Use Cases in Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Commerce (MC): Required on your Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) to legally define the company’s business activities.
Ministry of Investment (MISA): Determines eligibility for 100% foreign-owned investment licenses and capital requirements. See our MISA Licensing Guide.
ZATCA Taxation & Zakat: Activity categorization for Corporate Income Tax (20%), Zakat (2.5%), and 15% VAT filing rules. See our ZATCA Tax Guide.
MHRSD / Qiwa (Nitaqat Quotas): Determines the required percentage of Saudi national employees. Check our Nitaqat Saudization Guide.
Balady Municipal Licensing: Establishes commercial shop, office, and warehouse zoning compliance.

Compliance & Regulatory Risk Assessment

Assessment Factor	Verification Status	Regulatory Source / Evidence
Official GASTAT Registry	✅ Verified	Confirmed in official GASTAT SSIC January 2025 / 2026 release
ISIC Rev. 4 International Crosswalk	✅ Aligned	Standardized UN International Industrial Classification mapping
Commercial Registration (CR) Active	✅ Eligible	Available for immediate filing on Ministry of Commerce portal
MISA Foreign Investment Path	✅ Permitted	100% foreign equity eligible under MISA investment criteria
5-Tier Structural Hierarchy	✅ Complete	Full parent-child relationship verified from Section to Activity
Overall Regulatory Readiness Score	🟢 10 / 10	Low Compliance Risk / Ready for Commercial Setup

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does Saudi SSIC code 360013 cover?

SSIC 360013 covers Water desalination (تحلية المياه) under Saudi Arabia’s official industrial classification system.

2. Which authority regulates activities under SSIC 360013?

Activities under this code fall under the supervision of Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

3. Can international investors establish a business with code 360013?

Yes. In most sectors, the Ministry of Investment (MISA) permits 100% foreign equity ownership. Refer to our MISA Guide for full requirements.

4. How does SSIC 360013 affect my company’s Nitaqat rating?

MHRSD calculates your Saudization tier based on your primary SSIC activity registered on your Commercial Registration.

Official Source Attribution & Disclaimer

Primary Data Source: General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) — National Classification for Economic Activities.

Commercial Portal: Ministry of Commerce (MC)

This page is an independent reference resource. Cross-verify critical licensing details on official government portals before filing commercial applications.