Sudan to Raise Import Duties on 130 Items

Sudanese Customs Headquarters (Sudanese Customs Authority)
Sudanese Customs Headquarters (Sudanese Customs Authority)
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Sudan to Raise Import Duties on 130 Items

Sudanese Customs Headquarters (Sudanese Customs Authority)
Sudanese Customs Headquarters (Sudanese Customs Authority)

The Sudanese authorities have raised customs duties on 130 commodities, including gasoline and wheat, to cover the expected deficit in this year's budget.

The tariff hike, which immediately entered into force, would increase the prices of many imported and local goods amid the country's stagflation.

The Customs Authority stated that the amendment of customs categories came following the government's decision.

The increase in customs duties for transport vehicles of various weights ranged between 25 and 40 percent, while electric cars were exempted from any customs duties, and no new amendments were made to the customs of four-wheel drive vehicles.

Customs increases affected meat, fish, fruits, spices, and luxury goods, between 20 and 40 percent.

In February, Sudan's Sovereignty Council and the government approved the 2023 budget after a delay of over a month.

Budget revenues amounted to 7.363 trillion Sudanese pounds, and public spending amounted to 8.196 trillion pounds, with a deficit of 1.4 percent of GDP.

The state seeks to increase revenues and bridge the budget deficit by expanding the tax umbrella instead of raising taxes and rationalizing government spending.

The inflation rate in January dropped to 83 percent, compared to December last year, which recorded 87.32 percent.

The US froze aid worth $700 million and European Union countries announced the suspension of any financial assistance after Sudan’s military coup in October 2021.

The World Bank also suspended all aid to Sudan and halted decisions on any new operations after the military seized power.

The funds allocated to help civil transition are estimated at two billion dollars, in addition to supporting the budget and large economic projects that contribute to achieving estimated growth in the coming years.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had granted Sudan financial support to reduce its external debt by half under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The debt was reduced to $28 billion.



Saudi Arabia Makes Significant Progress in 2025 International IP Index

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Makes Significant Progress in 2025 International IP Index

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)
The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia made significant progress in the 13th edition of the US Chamber of Commerce's International IP Index, recording a 17.55% increase in its overall score and ranking among the top countries for progress out of 55 global economies.

This milestone highlights the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its intellectual property ecosystem and fostering innovation in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

The report highlighted a series of advancements in Saudi Arabia’s legislative and regulatory framework for intellectual property. Key developments included extending the term of design protection to 15 years, establishing a dedicated prosecution office for IP offenses, and strengthening the electronic enforcement of copyrights and trademarks.

These efforts contributed to raising the Kingdom’s overall score from 36.6% in 2019 to 53.7% in 2025—a cumulative increase of more than 40% over six years.

This progress reflects the efforts of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, in collaboration with relevant entities, to build an integrated system that enhances investor and innovator confidence.

It also reaffirms the Kingdom’s growing position as a regional hub for the creative and knowledge-based economy.