Saudi Arabia: Changes in the Energy Efficiency Sector

Aleqtsiadiya, 27 May 2024: The Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre Etihad ESCO has announced it is working to create a suitable environment for service providers in this sector to obtain available investment opportunities.

The centre has also implemented a licensing mechanism for those interested in investing in this sector after they have the necessary technical requirements to provide the service and obtain available investment opportunities for energy audit projects.

Eight initiatives have been launched, including an updated regulation for licensing energy efficiency service providers, aimed at identifying the necessary requirements for licensing investors who are interested in the sector in Saudi to ensure the quality of their work and protect the rights of their customers. In addition a second edition of the “National Measurement and Verification Guide” has been issued.

The guide has been aligned with the global “EVO” organisation to ensure there is compliance with the latest international practices in this field. Furthermore, a regulation for independent energy auditors has also been introduced to grant licenses to individuals to provide energy audit services for the residential and commercial sectors and offer energy audit services to facility owners on a wide geographical basis.

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Saudi Arabia: Insurance Authority Cybersecurity Subcommittee Established

Al-Watan, 19 May 2024: The Insurance Authority has approved the establishment of a Cybersecurity Subcommittee.

This initiative aims to strengthen the cybersecurity framework within the Kingdom’s insurance sector.

The Cybersecurity Subcommittee aims to ensure the Saudi insurance sector’s commitment to implementing, supporting, and following up on comprehensive cybersecurity programmes, legislation, and strategic frameworks approved by regulatory authorities.

In its role, the subcommittee will focus on several key areas, including facilitating the integration of new cybersecurity regulations and practices into the daily operations of insurance companies, providing expert guidance, and supervising cybersecurity trends and performance in the insurance sector.

It will also follow up on the implementation of approved cybersecurity programmes and initiatives, and improve collaborative efforts among stakeholders to share best practices on cyber security.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee for Insurance Companies has stated that the creation of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee marks a significant commitment by regulators and stakeholders to safeguard the Saudi insurance sector amid digital transformation.

He has also noted that the committee includes experienced stakeholders and cybersecurity specialists, fostering a collaborative approach. for the full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry To Start Wage Protection Service

The Human Resources Ministry and Social Development has announced its decision to implement a Wage Protection Service related to salaries of domestic workers through the Musaned platform.

In the first phase, the Wage Protection Service will be implemented for domestic workers arriving under new contracts, starting from 1 July 2024.

Existing house workers will gradually transition into the system in stages, based on the number of domestic workers each employer has.

By 1 January 2026, all categories of domestic workers will be covered by this service.

This service continues the ministry’s initiatives to develop the domestic workers sector and safeguard the rights of both workers and employers.

It aims to ensure salary payment transparency and facilitate it through digital wallets and approved banks via the ministry’s Musaned platform.

Enhancing the security and reliability of wage transfers preserves the rights of all parties involved in the contracts.

The new service will be implemented for employers with more than four domestic workers starting from 1 January 2025.

For employers with three or more workers, it will begin on 1 July 2025, while those with two or more workers will have it on 1 October 2025.

The service has been available on the Musaned platform since 1 April 2022, receiving positive feedback and interaction from customers and contractual parties.

The service of paying domestic workers’ salaries through specific official channels offers several benefits for the employer.

It improves the verification of salaries, simplifies procedures related to the worker’s termination or travel, and provides protection for both the employer and the worker in case of disputes.

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Saudi Arabia: Draft Regulations on Road Work Permits

Okaz, 2 May 2024: The General Authority for Roads has drawn up a draft regulation on road permits, to clarify the requirements and procedures for obtaining permits to conduct roadworks.

According to the regulations, the permit holder must collaborate with relevant authorities on the planned work.

They must also submit a plan outlining temporary safety measures for road users during the work and, if necessary, a plan for permanent safety measures.

The draft has also outlined the application submission process for obtaining permits.

Those intending to conduct road works must submit an application to obtain the necessary permit via the platform.

The Authority must review the permit application within 10 working days to ensure completeness and verify that all necessary requirements have been met.

This period can be extended for similar length depending on the nature of the permit and the planned work.

The permit may also be extended for a specific period if there is a request from the applicant 60 days before the expiry of the term.

Those granted permits will be subject to oversight, follow-up, and evaluation by the Authority.

The Authority, or its appointed representatives, will have the right to ensure compliance with permit requirements, as well as on the application of approved specifications and standards.

For the full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: Fuel Stations Must Provide Electric Chargers

Aleqtisadya, 30 April 2024: It has been claimed by informed sources that petrol stations in Saudi Arabia, in particular those located on highways, are to be required to provide places and devices for charging electric cars.

The petrol stations will have to adopt particular specifications and standards for the charging devices and on their locations.

It is also thought likely that public parks will also be required to provide special locations for charging electric cars, as these location are accessible and have a large amount of space.

According to the sources, government and private meetings have recently taken place on these new requirements. Service stations will be given the opportunity to suitably equip their premises when these regulations are issued.

For the full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: MOU on Enforcement

Alwatan, 16 April 2024: The head at The Board of Grievances and Chairman at the Administrative Judicial Council , along with the Justice Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Support and Liquidation Centre have signed a memorandum of understanding.

The aim of this memorandum is to hasten the fulfillment of rights issued by the Administrative Enforcement Court.

The memorandum outlines the delegation of asset selling and liquidation responsibilities. It allows for a digital link between the Administrative Enforcement Court and the Enforcement Centre, facilitating collaboration. This initiative aims to speed the execution of judgments and the fulfillment of rights.

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Saudi Arabia: Port Authority Warns Companies against Non-compliance

Aleqtisadiya, 15 April 2024: The Saudi Port Authority has stated it will implement stricter measures against companies found not to be complying with port operations and customs procedures in Jeddah and Dammam.

The Authority has informed operating companies that new measures will be implemented, which will include fines of about 10,000 riyals per container.

The Authority issued a warning after noting operators were not fully complying with requirements on operational performance, timeliness, and follow-up in unifying, unloading, repacking, and transporting containers. This breached an agreement signed between the Ports and Customs authorities on performance indicators by operating companies.

For the full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: Customs Duty Exemptions Expanded

Saudi Gazette, 1 April 2024: An expansion of customs duty exemptions for various industrial products and materials has come into force.

The exemptions came into force on 1 April 2024 following the issuing of a Decision by the Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry last month.

These industrial products and materials include raw materials, semi-finished materials, finished materials, packaging materials, machinery, equipment and spare parts, which are directly required for industrial production operations without any restriction.

The Ministry also clarified that the customs duty exemptions also apply to fully manufactured products as well as materials and items essential for production processes.

The Ministry added that certain items manufactured domestically, either as final products or imported as necessary materials, supported by valid justifications for customs duty exemptions, could be considered for inclusion on the list of domestic industrial capacities.

These exemptions will benefit all industrial entities that have a valid industrial licence from the Ministry.

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Saudi Arabia: Second Phase of Consultancy Professions Saudisation to Begin

Saudi Gazette, 25 March 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Ministry has announced it is going to start implementing the second phase of the Saudisation programme in consultancy professions.

The second phase covers 40% of professions related to consulting services, specifically financial consulting, engineering and architectural consulting, health consulting and senior management consulting.

Professionals including financial consulting specialists, business consulting specialists, cyber security consulting specialists, project management managers, project management engineers and project management specialists are included.

They have done so together with the Finance Ministry, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority or EXPRO and the Human Resources Development Fund or HADAF.

The second phase starts on 25 March 2024.

Also reported in Al Riyadh on 25 March 2024. For the full story, click here.

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