G20 to Address Economic Pitfalls of ‘Taxation,’ ‘Digitalization’

G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
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G20 to Address Economic Pitfalls of ‘Taxation,’ ‘Digitalization’

G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat

The 2020 G20 Riyadh summit is actively seeking solutions to challenges facing the global economy and alternatives that facilitate business and protect supply chains in the age of digitalization.

G20 countries are supporting the digitalization of the global economy as a means to avert future crises and to ensure the rights of countries challenged by the rapid developments in mechanisms of modern digital technologies.

The summit is also expected to finalize an international tax policy agreement.

The Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan had said that G20 leaders in 2018 committed to tackling the tax challenges arising from the digitization of the economy.

Jadaan also had said that 2020 would represent a key test for tax transparency worldwide.

“It gives us the opportunity to assess what we have achieved collectively in the area of tax transparency and discuss possible ways to encourage further progress, and provides a platform to discuss the way forward to address the tax challenges arising from the digitization of the economy,” he said.

It is noteworthy that G20 states have already achieved major successes in supporting the international community’s fight against tax evasion.

Members of the G20/OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes work hard to implement the internationally agreed standards on tax transparency.

As for promoting the digitalization of economies, G20 member states are working to establish a data-based approach and to optimize the usage of digital economy tools.

G20 countries are counted on at this stage to face the challenges that may arise from the digitalization of the global economy. They are responsible for bridging gaps and creating effective policies and strategies with innovation, flexibility, and adaptability.

Preserving the integrity and stability of supply chains also figures high on the group’s list of priorities.

Economic experts believe that digital transformation both in G20 countries and worldwide gives rise to evidence-based policies that can substantially improve the standards of living of all people.

The digitalization of economies also helps in creating high-quality job opportunities.



Saudi Arabia Targets Bureaucracy to Attract Foreign Investment

The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Targets Bureaucracy to Attract Foreign Investment

The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is making serious efforts to cut through the red tape that blocks foreign investment by continually updating its regulations.

The Saudi Ministry of Investment, for example, has announced new and streamlined investment rules designed to facilitate foreign investment in the Kingdom.

These updated regulations are part of an effort to attract more international investors by simplifying the investment process and creating a more favorable business environment.

The ministry emphasized that the revised rules will remove the need for numerous licenses and prior approvals, significantly cutting down on paperwork and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

In addition, Saudi Arabia has recently launched an e-visa service for business visitors, known as the “Investor Visitor” visa. This service is available worldwide and is part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to attract more global investors, improve the investment environment, and facilitate business operations.

Saudi Arabia has also introduced a new investor business residency program for those interested in investing in the Kingdom. The program provides residency for investors and their families, including parents, spouses, and children. Benefits include no fees for expatriates and dependents, family visit visas, and the ability to conduct business and own property.

In December 2023, the Ministry of Investment, along with the Ministry of Finance and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, rolled out a 30-year tax incentive package. The initiative aims to attract global companies to set up their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia by simplifying the process and offering appealing benefits.

The program, a collaboration between the Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, aims to make Saudi Arabia the top choice for regional headquarters in the Middle East and North Africa by providing various benefits and support services.

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a 30-year tax exemption for companies setting up regional headquarters in the country. This includes a 0% tax rate on income and withholding taxes for approved activities. The benefits will be available from the date the regional headquarters license is issued.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia updated its investment system in August 2024, which will take effect in early 2025. This reform aims to attract global investments, improve the investment environment, support economic diversification, and create jobs in line with Vision 2030.

The new system, approved by the Cabinet and part of the National Investment Strategy launched by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, aims to attract over $100 billion in foreign direct investment annually by 2030.

Key changes include enhanced investor rights, better protection of intellectual property, and streamlined procedures.

The system replaces the old investment license with a simplified registration process, providing more protection and flexibility for investors. It treats local and foreign investors equally and aims to resolve disputes efficiently.

The National Investment Strategy, launched in October 2021, supports the goals of Vision 2030. These goals include increasing private sector GDP contribution to 65%, boosting foreign direct investment to 5.7% of GDP, raising non-oil exports to 50% of non-oil GDP, reducing unemployment to 7%, and improving Saudi Arabia’s position in global competitiveness rankings.