Economic decisions a positive step

The Cabinet has decided to review some of the fees contained in a number of laws.
This aims to provide quality services at reasonable rates. In the past, the government imposed a small fee on services. This policy is disproportionate to the reality and the requirements of a market economy, which requires reasonable fees to provide good services.
Introducing new fees on visas is an international practice that happens in every country. Saudi Arabia has decided a fee of SR2,000 for an entry visa, but at the same time in a gesture of generosity has decided to bear the cost of the new fee for those arriving for Haj and Umrah for the first time.
This initiative reflects the keenness of the Saudi government to give special treatment to pilgrims. Haj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is mandatory once in a lifetime.
Saudi Arabia is a country that offers huge economic advantages, compared with many other countries in the region and the world. In the Kingdom, there is no income tax and many of the services are supported by the state, which comes at a great economic cost.
Expatriates in Saudi Arabia enjoy significant benefits in terms of the absence of taxes and the lack of restrictions on their remittances.
The fee revision is an important and positive step, and reflects the government’s determination to address the structural imbalances in the economy and achieve a healthy economic structure. Such trends are important economic indicators of a fully integrated Saudi project.
The Cabinet’s decisions include imposing fees for municipal services as well as setting new rules governing advertising billboards.
These decisions come as one complete set of measures aimed at serving the interests of the Saudi economy and boosting the level of services.