The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has unveiled advancements to the ‘Saudi Authorized Economic Operator Program,’ developed in collaboration with 14 government agencies. This initiative aims to boost Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector and enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of its trade ecosystem.
The program categorizes its benefits into three tiers for importers and exporters, with a fourth category dedicated to logistics service providers, including customs brokers, shipping agents, and related entities. Participants gain access to administrative, procedural, and financial advantages designed to streamline trade operations and strengthen global market accessibility.
Key objectives of the program include simplifying and expediting trade processes, ensuring smooth business operations, and improving supply chain efficiency. These measures aim to support Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector and align with its broader vision to establish itself as a global trade hub.
Since its inception in 2018, the program has welcomed over 550 commercial establishments. It is part of a global initiative endorsed by 80 countries under the World Customs Organization’s International Trade Security and Facilitation Standards Framework. Mutual recognition agreements, a critical aspect of this program, foster international cooperation and facilitate trade between member nations.
The program’s development involved input from several government entities, including the Ministries of Energy, Interior, Commerce, and others, alongside key regulatory authorities like the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
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