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Saudi Arabia Improves Tax, Customs Procedures by Merging Two Govt. Agencies

The Saudi Cabinet approves merging the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the General Authority of Customs to form an umbrella unit named “Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority", Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Cabinet approves merging the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the General Authority of Customs to form an umbrella unit named “Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority", Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Improves Tax, Customs Procedures by Merging Two Govt. Agencies

The Saudi Cabinet approves merging the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the General Authority of Customs to form an umbrella unit named “Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority", Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Cabinet approves merging the General Authority of Zakat and Tax with the General Authority of Customs to form an umbrella unit named “Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority", Asharq Al-Awsat

The latest Saudi efforts to optimize and restructure government agencies to speed the implementation of the national transformation plan “Vision 2030” saw the merger of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) with the General Authority of Customs.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, approved merging the two bodies under an umbrella authority named “Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZTCA).”

Moreover, the Cabinet approved the regulation of the new organization.

Efficiency-driven restructuring of government bodies helps resolve obstacles standing in the way of achieving the goals of Vision 2030, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the merger has produced a valuable agency in terms of contribution to the Kingdom’s economic growth.

Despite reaffirming that establishing the ZTCA will help in overcoming authority-related challenges, Saudi Shura Council member Fadl al-Buainain pointed out the need to ensure a smooth integration.

“It is important to point out the importance of the merger procedures, and the necessity for their streamlining and non-impact on the procedures of the two relevant bodies associated with them in the business sectors,” said al-Buainain.

“Saudi Arabia’s decision to merge GAZT with the General Authority of Customs will enhance security, business and trade exchange, in addition to other Zakat, tax and customs procedures,” Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance and GAZT chairman, said in a statement.

“The newly merged entity is in line with the latest international practices and will boost operating as well as cost efficiency,” Al- Jadaan affirmed, adding that the government’s efforts to develop the state-owned entities continuously came within Saudi Vision 2030.

According to the minister, the great deal of attention Saudi leadership gives to the nonstop advancement of all state agencies and human capital represents one of the essential pillars for realizing Vision 2030.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.