Saudi-Turkish Trade Summit Set for Istanbul in October

A ferry crosses the Bosphorus on a cloudy morning a day after heavy rains in Istanbul, Türkiye, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP)
A ferry crosses the Bosphorus on a cloudy morning a day after heavy rains in Istanbul, Türkiye, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP)
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Saudi-Turkish Trade Summit Set for Istanbul in October

A ferry crosses the Bosphorus on a cloudy morning a day after heavy rains in Istanbul, Türkiye, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP)
A ferry crosses the Bosphorus on a cloudy morning a day after heavy rains in Istanbul, Türkiye, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP)

The Türkiye Exporters Assembly, in coordination with the Turkish Ministry of Commerce, is organizing a Saudi-Turkish trade summit scheduled to take place on October 8-12.

The summit will feature the participation of 70 members from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy Chairman of the Assembly Ahmet Gulec has invited Turkish exporters to actively engage in this trade summit.

He highlighted that a delegation from the Assembly, representing 43 companies operating in various sectors such as food, non-ferrous metals, textiles, ready-made garments, chemicals, and furniture, had accompanied Turkish Minister of Commerce, Omer Bolat, during his visit to Riyadh in July 2022.

Bolat held meetings with 150 Saudi businessmen during his visit.

He also met with the Kingdom’s Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail, and Industry and Mineral Wealth Minister Bandar AlKhorayef.

During a visit to Türkiye last month, Al-Hogail met with Bolat and held several other meetings with Turkish ministers and officials.

The Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, arranged visits to four different trade bodies in Riyadh, Al-Hogail said.

A delegation of Turkish businessmen had visited Riyadh on September 11-14, holding meetings with Saudi officials with the aim of enhancing bilateral trade. Multiple cooperation agreements were signed between the two parties.

In a statement on Saturday, the Assembly disclosed a fourfold increase in Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia in the past eight months compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of $1.6 billion.



Saudi Arabia Implements Int’l Customs System to Facilitate Temporary Import of Goods

Jeddah Islamic Port (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Implements Int’l Customs System to Facilitate Temporary Import of Goods

Jeddah Islamic Port (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has started implementing an international customs system that facilitates the temporary import of goods for up to one year without the need to pay any fees, taxes, or undergo customs procedures.

In June, the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority started accepting the ATA Carnet temporary admission document at all its land, sea, and air customs points. This step is part of the Kingdom's commitment to the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission, supporting the business sector and enhancing Saudi Arabia's status as a global destination for events, exhibitions, and activities.

On Thursday, the Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the issuance of the first ATA Carnet since the official adoption of this system, making Saudi Arabia the 80th country worldwide to implement this international customs system. The document was delivered to Swiss company Richemont.

Logistics expert Zaid Al-Jarba told Asharq Al-Awsat that adopting the ATA Carnet system is a pivotal step in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s logistics environment, adding that the move aligns with the Kingdom’s national transportation and logistics strategy, facilitating international trade by streamlining customs procedures.

He stressed that this system strengthens the country’s infrastructure readiness, supports the growth of the logistics services sector, increases Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness, and boosts its ability to attract and host international events and exhibitions.

Businesses and interested parties can apply for the ATA Carnet through the Federation’s website and collect it from their headquarters in Riyadh.

The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority clarified when announcing the start of the ATA Carnet that eligible goods include items intended for display or use in exhibitions, markets, meetings, or similar events, professional equipment, containers, pallets, packing materials, samples, and other goods related to commercial operations. Additionally, goods imported for educational, scientific, or cultural purposes can also be temporarily admitted under the system.

The Federation of Saudi Chambers has been designated as the authorized guarantor in the Kingdom for the ATA Carnet, approved by the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority. The Federation is also the issuing body, with the right to delegate others. Beneficiaries can import goods temporarily under the ATA Carnet without needing to provide financial guarantees.