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

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 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