From Foundation to Growth: Outgoing Chairman Lorcan Tyrrell Reflects on ECCKSA’s First Two Years

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From Foundation to Growth: Outgoing Chairman Lorcan Tyrrell Reflects on ECCKSA’s First Two Years

As ECCKSA enters a new chapter, outgoing Chairman Lorcan Tyrrell looks back on the Chamber’s establishment, achievements and future priorities

Over the past two years, the European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ECCKSA) has grown from an ambitious initiative into a recognised platform for European-Saudi business engagement. Formally launched in May 2024, ECCKSA has rapidly established itself as a unified voice for European business in the Kingdom, supporting companies as they navigate Saudi Arabia’s transformation and contribute to the objectives of Vision 2030.

Following ECCKSA’s Annual General Meeting, we spoke with Lorcan Tyrrell, the outgoing Chairman of ECCKSA, to reflect on the Chamber’s first chapter: its origins, its milestones, the role of its members and partners, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Looking back at ECCKSA’s first two years, how would you describe this moment for the Chamber?

The Annual General Meeting was a big milestone for ECCKSA. It gave us an opportunity to look back at the Chamber’s first two years, but also to recognise how far we have come in a very short period of time.

ECCKSA was established in 2024, and since then it has moved very quickly from a start-up phase into a more established platform. What began as an ambitious idea shared by a group of like-minded business leaders has become a recognised organisation with strong visibility, a growing membership and trusted relationships with both Saudi and European stakeholders.

It is also a moment to acknowledge the people who made this possible. The remarkable achievements of the Chamber are the result of the work of the Secretariat, its CEO, the first Board of Directors, our members and our institutional partners. From the beginning, there was a shared commitment to building something practical and useful for European companies in Saudi Arabia.

Why was ECCKSA created, and what was the original mission behind the Chamber?

ECCKSA was created to provide a unified voice for European business in Saudi Arabia. European companies have a long-standing and significant presence in the Kingdom, but there was a need for a structured platform that could represent their collective interests, support business dialogue and strengthen engagement with Saudi and European institutions.

The Chamber was founded by business leaders who shared a common commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and to the deepening of European-Saudi economic relations. The idea was to establish an organisation capable of supporting companies, encouraging policy dialogue and helping European businesses contribute more effectively to the Kingdom’s transformation.

The support of the EU Delegation was also crucial. Its foresight and early engagement helped make ECCKSA possible. The Chamber was born from a broader EU-GCC dialogue that had been developing since 2022, and its launch in May 2024 marked an important step in giving European business a permanent and structured presence in the Kingdom.

ECCKSA is often described as a first-of-its-kind platform in the region. Why is this significant?

ECCKSA is the 52nd European Chamber established globally, but it is also the first European Chamber of Commerce in the GCC. That is significant because it gives the Chamber both a global European identity and a pioneering regional role.

Saudi Arabia is one of Europe’s most important economic partners in the Gulf. The scale of the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030 creates major opportunities for European companies across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, digital services, financial services, construction, advanced engineering and manufacturing.

In this context, ECCKSA plays a very important bridging role. It connects European companies with Saudi stakeholders, helps structure business dialogue and ensures that European expertise and investment are visible within the Kingdom’s development agenda.

What have been ECCKSA’s main achievements since its launch?

The Chamber has achieved a great deal in just two years. One of the most important achievements is the trust that has been built across governments, institutions, sectors and business communities.

In terms of growth, ECCKSA now has more than 50 members, whose companies collectively employ over 25,000 people in Saudi Arabia. We have developed a network of more than 3,000 business contacts, welcomed over 2,500 attendees to our events, and built an active community through our publications, newsletters, social media channels and WhatsApp group.

These figures matter because they show that ECCKSA has become a functioning and credible platform. But beyond the numbers, what is most important is the quality of engagement. We have built strong relationships with Saudi ministries and authorities, the European Commission, the EU Delegation, EU Member State representations, trade agencies, international organisations and industry associations.

This ecosystem is what gives ECCKSA its value. The Chamber is not only about events. It is about advocacy, representation, market intelligence, business support and creating the right spaces for dialogue.

How does ECCKSA fit into the wider European-Saudi economic relationship?

The European-Saudi economic relationship is already very strong, and it continues to deepen. Saudi Arabia is the EU’s largest trading partner in the GCC, and the EU is the second largest trading partner for the Kingdom.. In 2025, bilateral trade reached €88.8 billion, while the EU represented 29% of total foreign direct investment stock in Saudi Arabia, making it the leading source of FDI into the Kingdom.

There are also more than 2,500 European companies operating across Saudi Arabia. These companies are active in sectors that are essential to Vision 2030 and to the Kingdom’s diversification agenda.

ECCKSA’s role is to help ensure that this European presence is coordinated, visible and connected to the right stakeholders. As discussions continue around deeper institutional cooperation between the EU and Saudi Arabia, including a possible Strategic Partnership Agreement, the Chamber has an important role to play in translating this momentum into practical business engagement.

Sectoral committees seem to be central to ECCKSA’s work. Why are they so important?

The sectoral committees are one of the strongest examples of how ECCKSA creates concrete value for its members. They allow the Chamber to move beyond general business networking and focus on the specific priorities, challenges and opportunities that matter to European companies operating in the Kingdom.

Over the past two years, ECCKSA has built and activated several sectoral workstreams, each designed to support dialogue between European companies, Saudi stakeholders and European institutions. These committees have helped members exchange insights, engage with policymakers, better understand regulatory developments and identify opportunities linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.

The Transport & Logistics Committee has been particularly active. It began with the Mobility Roundtable and the launch of the Transport & Logistics Committee, before expanding into a series of high-level engagements and site visits. These included meetings with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, exchanges with H.E. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, a visit to the Riyadh Metro depot, and discussions with the Saudi Logistics Academy, and the National Center for Privatization & PPP. This reflects the importance of mobility, infrastructure, logistics and public-private partnerships in the Kingdom’s transformation.

The Energy Committee is another key pillar. Energy remains central to both Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and Europe’s industrial expertise. ECCKSA has supported this dialogue through the Energy Roundtable, high-level discussions with the European Commission’s Director-General of DG ENER in Riyadh, contribution to the EU-IEF Energy & Climate Day Forum, as well as discussions on carbon management, hydrogen, circular economy and critical raw materials. These engagements show how ECCKSA can connect European expertise with Saudi Arabia’s long-term energy ambitions.

In Healthcare, ECCKSA has helped structure dialogue around a sector that is increasingly important for investment, innovation and quality of life. Activities have included the Healthcare Roundtable, Healthcare Working Group meetings, gatherings of European healthcare leaders during the Global Health Exhibition, and discussions with Saudi stakeholders, including MISA, Ministry of Health, SFDA, NUPCO and others This Committee is especially relevant as the Kingdom continues to develop its healthcare infrastructure, private sector participation and innovation ecosystem.

The Legal & Taxation workstream has also provided very practical value for members. Through working group discussions on Regional Headquarters regulations and dedicated workshops with MISA on the RHQ framework, ECCKSA has supported companies in understanding and navigating an evolving regulatory environment. This kind of practical, member-focused engagement is essential for companies operating in a fast-changing market.

Finally, the Women in Leadership initiative deserves particular attention. It has created dedicated networking and leadership opportunities bringing together senior female executives, business leaders and institutional representatives. What makes this initiative distinctive is its cross-sector and cross-border nature. It reflects both the growing role of women in Saudi Arabia’s business landscape and ECCKSA’s commitment to building a more connected and inclusive European-Saudi business community.

Together, these sectoral initiatives show that ECCKSA is an operational platform where members can engage, contribute and access meaningful opportunities across the sectors that are shaping the future of the Kingdom.

How would you describe ECCKSA’s current stage of development?

ECCKSA is now moving beyond the start-up phase into growth. In many ways, the Chamber has been scaling like a start-up. The foundations have been built, the membership has grown, the institutional relationships are in place, and the Chamber now has the opportunity to expand its impact.

The move into a dedicated physical office in Riyadh is an important part of this transition. It gives the Chamber a stronger presence on the ground, more flexibility to host meetings and activities, and greater capacity to support members.

What are ECCKSA’s priorities for 2026-2027?

First, ECCKSA will continue to deepen sectoral engagement. We want to strengthen existing committees and expand into new sectors where members see value.

Second, the Chamber will focus on reflecting member priorities. It is essential that ECCKSA’s agenda is driven by the full breadth of its membership, across different sectors, trade segments and business communities.

Third, we will continue to strengthen institutional ties with Saudi and European policymakers. These relationships are vital to the Chamber’s credibility and effectiveness.

Fourth, ECCKSA will work to expand its European outreach. The Chamber must continue to grow its visibility and relevance across Europe, helping more companies understand the opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

There are also several new sectors in focus, including banking and financial services, construction and real estate, tourism and entertainment, education and training, defence and retail. These sectors reflect the breadth of Saudi Arabia’s transformation and the diversity of European expertise.

What are the main challenges ahead for the Chamber?

The main challenge is to manage growth while maintaining quality. ECCKSA has built strong momentum, but growth needs to be sustainable.

That means strengthening and expanding member services, ensuring that members receive practical value, and continuing to create opportunities for deeper engagement. It also means growing the team, increasing operational capacity in Riyadh and securing a sustainable funding model.

Another challenge is to remain focused. Saudi Arabia is changing quickly, and there are opportunities in many sectors. ECCKSA must continue listening to its members and prioritising the areas where it can have the greatest impact.

Finally, the Chamber must continue building institutional support. Its strength comes from its ability to connect business with policymakers, and that requires trust, consistency and professionalism.

What should members expect from ECCKSA’s next chapter?

Members should expect a more established, more active and more responsive Chamber.

The next chapter will be about scaling impact. ECCKSA will continue to support European companies in Saudi Arabia, provide platforms for dialogue and strengthen its role as the unified voice for European business in the Kingdom. With the upcoming EU-GCC Summit scheduled to take place in Riyadh later this year, the European businesses will have an unprecedented opportunity to engage directly with policymakers. ECCKSA will serve as the central platform to gather its members, ensuring they take an active, coordinated role in shaping the economic dialogue of the summit and delivering beyond.

The first two years were about building the foundations. The next phase is about growth, delivery and long-term impact.

ECCKSA’s first two years have marked the emergence of a new platform for European business in Saudi Arabia. From its formal launch in 2024 to the development of sectoral committees, publications, events, partnerships and a dedicated Riyadh office, the Chamber has quickly become a trusted bridge between European companies and Saudi stakeholders.

ECCKSA now enters a decisive phase. The Chamber’s task is no longer only to establish itself, but to scale its services, deepen its engagement and strengthen its contribution to European-Saudi business relations.

With a growing membership, an active community and a clear 2026–2027 workplan, ECCKSA is well positioned to move from foundation to growth and to continue building the voice of European business in the Kingdom.

Figure: Invest Saudi Renewable Energy Brochure (MISA, 2024)