Saudi Arabia Launches $1b Real Estate Funds to Provide Thousands of Homes

The Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing during his tour of the Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing during his tour of the Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches $1b Real Estate Funds to Provide Thousands of Homes

The Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing during his tour of the Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing during his tour of the Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al Hogail inaugurated Restatex Riyadh Real Estate Exhibition 2023 on March 7.

The exhibition, being held at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, will continue until March 10.

Several senior officials from government agencies, financing agencies and real estate development companies are expected to attend.

During the opening ceremony, Al Hogail witnessed the launch of real estate funds with a total value of more than SAR 4 billion ($1 billion), according to a press release.

The funds aim to provide more than 4,000 housing units in Riyadh and Madinah on an area of over one million square meters (sqm).

The exhibition enjoys wide participation from real estate development and marketing companies, financing agencies, Saudi banks and institutions specialized in housing and real estate affairs in the public and private sectors, which provide unique housing and financing solutions that suit various Saudi families and meets with the Vision 2030.

In this edition, Restatex will include eight dialogue sessions mainly focusing on the real estate industry and the role of the public and private sectors, sustainability and quality of life in the real estate sector, urban development and Saudi innovation, digital transformation in the real estate sector, affordable housing, real estate brokerage, housing projects challenges and solutions, and a success story by balancing quality and price.

In other news, Al Hogail inaugurated a technical link between the “Tatweer Program” of the Real Estate Development Fund and the Real Estate Developers Services Center “Etmam.”

The link comes with the aim of strengthening the complementary partnership between the Tatweer Program and Etmam.

This will contribute to automating and speeding up the submission of applications and achieving the goals of the national housing program, which focuses on raising the proportion of Saudi families owning their homes to 70 % by the end of 2030.



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.