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Saudi Arabia blocks foreign online store for selling counterfeit gold bullion August 20, 2025

 The Ministry of Commerce blocked a non-compliant, untrusted online store based outside Saudi Arabia after it was found advertising counterfeit gold bullion made of copper and coated with gold. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce blocked a non-compliant, untrusted online store based outside Saudi Arabia after it was found advertising counterfeit gold bullion made of copper and coated with gold to deceive and mislead shoppers. The ministry detected the violation after the store, which targeted the Saudi market, promoted gold bullion of various weights at half the market value. The store was immediately blocked in cooperation with the relevant authorities to protect consumers and enforce the provisions of the E-Commerce Law and its executive regulations. The ministry stressed the importance for all consumers to verify the reliability of online stores before purchasing through the “Enquiry on E-Commerce Documentation” service on the Saudi Business Center platform, a...
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Saudi Arabia to launch voluntary pension and savings scheme for foreign workers

 August 21, 2025 As of the first quarter of 2025, Saudi Arabia had 12.8 million subscribers in the social insurance system, 77 percent of whom were expatriates. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia is preparing to announce a new voluntary pension and savings program that will be open to both Saudi and foreign workers, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest Article IV consultation report, cited by Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper. The program is designed to boost household savings and is expected to help curb the outflow of workers’ remittances abroad. The Public Pension and Savings Program is anticipated to be unveiled soon. Foreign remittances from Saudi Arabia rose 14 percent last year to SR144.2 billion ($38.4 billion). Over the past decade (2015–2024), they totaled SR1.43 trillion. As of the first quarter of 2025, Saudi Arabia had 12.8 million subscribers in the social insurance system, 77 percent of whom — nearly 10 million — were expatriates. The IMF report ...
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Saudi logistics council reviews SILZ strategy, King Salman airport, and NEOM-Arar corridor

 August 22, 2025 Saudi logistics council reviews SILZ strategy, King Salman airport, and NEOM-Arar corridor RIYADH — The Logistics Partnership Council with the private sector, part of the Logistics Services Committee under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), held its 27th meeting on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Riyadh Integrated Special Logistics Zone (SILZ Company). The session was chaired by Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Acting President of the General Transport Authority, with the participation of Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, alongside representatives from government entities and the private sector. The council discussed key topics to strengthen the efficiency and investment appeal of the Kingdom’s integrated logistics sector. Among the issues reviewed were the strategic directions of Riyadh Integrated under SILZ Company, updates on King Salman Intern...
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Saudi Arabia approves digital ID use for non-resident foreigners to own property

 August 15, 2025 Saudi Arabia approves digital ID use for non-resident foreigners to own property Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved the use of a digital ID to enable non-Saudi, non-resident foreigners to own property in the Kingdom. The General Real Estate Authority will coordinate with the Ministry of Interior, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the National Information Center, and other relevant bodies to develop mechanisms for activating the digital ID. The move aims to allow its use ahead of the implementation of the Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law. The Cabinet also endorsed a decision by the Strategic Committee of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs on governance for non-Saudi property ownership and usufruct rights, including forming a committee within the authority’s board to oversee these matters. The board of the General Real Estate Authority has been restructured under its CEO’s chairmanship, with m...
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SOCPA fellowship opens for professionals worldwide with exam slated for September

 August 14, 2025 The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) will make its fellowship available internationally by offering the exam in English alongside Arabic. The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) will make its fellowship available internationally by offering the exam in English alongside Arabic. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) will make its fellowship available internationally by offering the exam in English alongside Arabic. This marks a strategic step that positions the qualification among the world's leading professional qualifications and reinforces the Kingdom's strong standing in the accounting profession. With this change, accountants and professionals from any country can earn the fellowship by completing the program and taking the exam in English, starting with the third sitting of 2025, scheduled for September. The SOCPA fellows...
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SFDA publishes guidelines for travelers to obtain clearance permit for controlled drugs

 August 14, 2025 The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has outlined the procedures for obtaining a clearance permit for controlled drugs containing narcotics and psychotropic substances in the possession of passengers arriving in or departing from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has outlined the procedures for obtaining a clearance permit for controlled drugs containing narcotics and psychotropic substances in the possession of passengers arriving in or departing from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has outlined the procedures for obtaining a clearance permit for controlled drugs containing narcotics and psychotropic substances in the possession of passengers arriving in or departing from Saudi Arabia. This reinforces SFDA’s commitment to facilitating patients’ travel and ensuring a smoother journey while maintaining safety standards. SFDA confirms that all information related to controlled drug permits ...
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Ministry announces new regulatory requirements for factories within and outside urban areas

 Ministry announces new regulatory requirements for factories within and outside urban areas August 14, 2025 The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has formulated new regulatory requirements for factories within and outside urban areas. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has formulated new regulatory requirements for factories within and outside urban areas. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has formulated new regulatory requirements for factories within and outside urban areas. This comes within the ministry's efforts to improve the industrial investment environment and raise the level of compliance. It also aims to make available suitable and safe locations that align with urban development plans across the Kingdom. The ministry clarified that the requirements cover all types of factories, whether located within urban areas as well as within in support service areas, or within approved plans for industrial use. The ministry expla...
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