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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Saudi Arabia: Initiative to Evaluate E-stores with Artificial Intelligence Launched

Saudi Gazette, 17 March 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Ministry has announced it has launched an initiative to evaluate e-stores with artificial intelligence.

The initiative was launched to mark World Consumer Rights Day and is aimed at helping merchants understand store evaluations.

It is also aimed at offering them opportunities to improve their scores by adhering to 11 standards.

These standards include displaying the commercial registry number, necessary licences and tax number on the homepage. They also include registering the store’s link in the registry and the Saudi Business Centre platform and providing policies for protecting consumer data and privacy.

In addition, they include policies for replacements, returns and refunds as well as dealing with customer complaints and suggestions.

They include polices on consumer rights and duties for shipping and delivery too.

The standards require e-stores to offer easy means of communication for customer service as well.

They also require e-stores to ensure the website is secure and of high quality. This will take the site speed, ease of use, and HTTPS link with cybersecurity protection into account.

Finally, they include verifying all fines imposed on the e-store have been paid.

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Saudi Arabia: SDAIA Consults on Regulation on Personal Data Transfer

Saudi Arabia: Supply of Services Regulations Come into Force

Saudi Gazette, 12 March 2024: The Regulation to Suspend Government Services has come into force.

The Saudi Arabian authorities said that the Regulations came into force on 11 March.

They specify that services can only be suspended after a grace period for rectifying the violation has been given.

Services related to treatment, education, jobs, commercial registration or documentation cannot be suspended in a way that would hurt a beneficiary or their dependents.

As well as allowing a grace period, services should only be suspended in line with a legal document.

The suspension of services should be carried out in three phases.

There should be 15 days in the first and second phases. This can be extended for another 15 days.

The period in the third phase will be determined in line with the specifications in the statutory document for the suspension.

This will be submitted by the government authority, requesting the suspension.

Where the reason for suspending services is rectified, the suspension will have to be lifted within 24 hours by the relevant government entity.

Individuals and institutions can submit a request to extend the grace period before services are suspended.

They can also request details of the entity suspending the services.

This is aimed at protecting the rights of the parties involved as well as improve compliance and commitment.

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Saudi Arabia: Insurance Authority Now Responsible for Health Insurance

Saudi Gazette, 4 March 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Insurance Authority has announced it is now responsible for health insurance in the Kingdom. It assumed responsibility today.

The powers were transferred to it from the Council of Health Insurance.

The Authority’s CEO said the transfer of powers won’t affect current insurance policies or claims because the current laws and regulations will continue to be implemented.

Policyholders and health insurance beneficiaries will also be able to continue to exercise all their rights under the current laws and regulations and there won’t be any change in the current terms and conditions of insurance policies.

In terms of complaints and claims, all complaints and enquiries related to health insurance will be transferred to the Insurance Authority from today.

The Authority will follow up on old complaints and claims and new complaints will be filed through the Authority’s via the appropriate channels.

These are the complaints hotline, which can be reached on 800124055, via care.ia.gov.sa or via the customer protection account @ia_care_gov on X.

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Saudi Arabia: New Railway Law Approved

Arab News, 28 February 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved new railway regulations.

They have been approved to support the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy being achieved.

They have also been approved to help the governance of the railway sector and regulate the relationship between infrastructure owners, operators and beneficiaries.

They will ensure railway service providers continue to apply the highest standards and requirements for safety and quality.

They will also develop policies and legislation to ensure fair competitiveness.

They will encourage the use of railways, ensure the protection of railways and their infrastructure and facilities in line with internationally approved standards.

They also specify penalties to protect railway tracks and prevent damage to the network.

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