Saudi Arabia Examines Mechanisms of Technical Services Pricing

The Non-oil Revenue Development Center seeks to achieve financial sustainability and diversify sources of income. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Non-oil Revenue Development Center seeks to achieve financial sustainability and diversify sources of income. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Examines Mechanisms of Technical Services Pricing

The Non-oil Revenue Development Center seeks to achieve financial sustainability and diversify sources of income. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Non-oil Revenue Development Center seeks to achieve financial sustainability and diversify sources of income. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi government is currently examining the legal tools by which fees are imposed for services provided by technology companies for the benefit of government agencies.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the government requested all public agencies to provide the Non-oil Revenue Development Center, within a period not exceeding 30 days, with all data related to fees and charges imposed by government, semi-government and private technology companies in exchange for operating electronic platforms or providing relevant services.

The Non-oil Revenue Development Center seeks to achieve financial sustainability and diversify sources of income. It enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence, and is organizationally linked to the Minister of Finance.

The center aims to support government agencies and programs related to increasing non-oil revenues in the country.

The center also follows up on the implementation of the approved initiatives, addresses difficulties faced by government agencies, and coordinates efforts with public agencies and vision realization programs regarding the implementation of joint initiatives.

The government has previously requested all public agencies to coordinate with the Non-oil Revenue Center when studying, evaluating, signing or renewing contracts that entail the collection of any sums of money in return for providing or facilitating the implementation of government agencies’ services, in addition to providing the center with a copy of all existing contracts.



US Excludes Smartphones, Computers from Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs

Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York. (AFP)
Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York. (AFP)
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US Excludes Smartphones, Computers from Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs

Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York. (AFP)
Apple iPhone 16 are on display during the launch September 20, 2024, at the Apple Store in New York. (AFP)

The Trump administration has granted tariff exclusions for smartphones, computers and other electronics imports supplied largely by China, sparing them from much of President Donald Trump's steep 125% duties.

In a notice to shippers, the US Customs and Border Protection agency published a list of tariff codes that will be excluded from the duties. The exclusions are retroactively to 12:01 a.m. on April 5.

The US CBP listed 20 product categories, including the very broad 8471 code for all computers, laptops and disc drives and automatic data processing. It also included semiconductor devices, equipment, memory chips and flat panel displays.

The notice did not provide an explanation for the Trump administration's move, but the late-night exclusion provides welcome relief to major US technology firms, including Apple Dell Technologies and countless other importers.

The move represents another step back from Trump's maximalist tariff approach, including several escalations of his duties on Chinese goods.