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The General Authority for Statistics released preliminary short-term business indicators highlighting gains in construction activity and revenues during July 2026. Issued building permits climbed to 5,828 that month according to the authority’s data. This represented a 15.5 percent increase from 5,045 permits in June and a 4.4 percent rise from 5,582 permits issued in July 2025.
Operating revenues advanced 4.9 percent compared with July 2025 and increased 1.2 percent from June according to the General Authority for Statistics. Manufacturing activities drove much of the yearly gain with revenues up 13.5 percent from the prior year. Financial and insurance activities posted a 9 percent increase in the same comparison a GASTAT assessment found.
The authority’s earlier report on June showed 5,045 building permits issued that month for a 20.3 percent annual increase from June 2025. That figure reflected a slight 0.2 percent decline from May. The sequential shifts demonstrate variable yet generally expanding construction licensing activity throughout the first half of the year.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing stated that it issued more than 34,000 building permits in the first six months of 2026 with residential projects comprising more than 28,000 of the total. The ministry attributed the volume to improvements in the licensing system and expanded digital services through the Balady platform. Commercial permits exceeded 5,000 and government building permits surpassed 1,000 during the period according to the ministry’s July announcement.
The General Authority for Statistics short-term business statistics product monitors monthly performance across economic sectors with indicators focused on revenues compensation of employees and building permits. The authority’s latest release covers establishments operating in the business sector. July data adds to a series of reports that track construction momentum amid broader economic expansion.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing also reported issuing and renewing more than 274,000 commercial licenses in the first half of 2026 including more than 97,000 new licenses. This activity formed part of ongoing efforts to enhance the investment environment through digital platforms. Such measures have contributed to sustained growth in licensing across residential commercial and public sectors.
