Monsha’at Launches the Thakaa Digital Library to Support National Talent

The Thakaa Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, affiliated with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority “Monsha’at”, has launched the Thakaa Digital Library, the first of its kind in the field of artificial intelligence and data science, with the aim of supporting national talent and providing smart solutions in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence.
The library can be accessed through the Thakaa.sa website, and it is a rich source for collecting data, building studies, and carrying out projects in the fields of artificial intelligence, infographics, and digital data. It suits various levels, from students and beginners to entrepreneurs and business owners, in using the library’s features and services remotely.

Full story on the Saudi Press Agency website

In Implementation of the Directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Address the Repercussions of Preventing the Spread of the Coronavirus, Resident Identity (Iqama) Extended Free of Charge for Expatriates Inside and Outside the Kingdom

As part of the ongoing efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, to address the effects and repercussions of the global pandemic (COVID-19), to take measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents, and to confront the financial and economic effects, and in implementation of the royal directives, the General Directorate of Passports has begun automatically extending the resident identity (Iqama) of expatriates inside or outside the Kingdom who work in the private sector in commercial and industrial occupations and whose residence permits expire between 23/7/1441H, corresponding to March 18, 2020, and 9/11/1441H, corresponding to June 30, 2020, for an additional three months free of charge, in line with what was previously implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Full story on the Saudi Press Agency website

By Order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Government Bears 60% of Private Sector Employees’ Salaries Through the SANED System

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah support him, issued a royal order exempting Saudi workers in private sector establishments affected by the current repercussions of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Articles 8, 10, and 14 of the Unemployment Insurance Law, so that instead of terminating the Saudi worker’s contract, the employer is entitled to apply to the General Organization for Social Insurance for the payment of monthly compensation to its workers at 60% of the wage registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance for three months, up to a maximum of SAR 9,000 per month, with a total value of up to SAR 9 billion.

Full story on the Saudi Press Agency website

The General Authority of Zakat and Tax Launches Several Initiatives to Support the Private Sector Amid the Current Repercussions

In implementation of the royal order issued on establishing incentives and initiatives aimed at mitigating the economic and developmental effects on the private sector of the repercussions of the spread of the coronavirus and the measures taken to combat its spread, the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) announced the launch of several initiatives aimed at stimulating the economy and supporting the private sector, in step with the major efforts the state is making to combat the novel coronavirus and mitigate its potential financial and economic effects on the private sector.

Full story on the GAZT website

HRDF: The Employment Support Initiative Supports Saudis’ Wages in All Establishments and Jobs for Two Years

The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) stated that all private sector establishments can benefit from the Employment Support initiative, which supports the wages of Saudi men and women hired in all jobs and occupations in the private sector from July 1, 2019, unless the establishment is suspended by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development or the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).

Full story on the HRDF website

HRDF Launches a New Initiative to Support Saudis Working in App-Based Delivery

The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Communications and Information Technology Commission, announced the launch of a new initiative to support Saudi men and women working in app-based order delivery services, with monthly support of up to SAR 3,000.

Full story on the HRDF website

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Issues a Decision Regulating the Contractual Relationship Between Workers and Employers to Confront the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a decision regulating the contractual relationship between workers and employers, in support of the efforts of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to control the repercussions of the novel coronavirus. During the six months following the state’s adoption of any measures that required reducing working hours, or any precautionary measures that limit the escalation of any situation or circumstance covered by the definition of force majeure and that may prevent the fulfillment of obligations set out in the Labor Law, its implementing regulations, or the employment contract, the ministry has allowed the employer to agree with the worker, at the outset, to reduce the worker’s wage in proportion to the actual number of working hours, or to grant the worker leave counted against their accrued annual leave, or to grant the worker exceptional leave, in accordance with Article 116 of the Labor Law.

Full story on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development website

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Announces an Initiative Enabling Expatriates to Return to Their Countries

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working with several relevant government entities on an initiative to enable some expatriates to return to their countries on an exceptional basis.

Full story on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development website

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Announces Seven Initiatives for the Private Sector During the Current Period

In support of the efforts of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to control the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent its entry and spread, and in concert with government action across all entities to confront the economic repercussions of the coronavirus crisis and the need to take a set of financial and regulatory measures that ensure business continues on its previously planned course without any impact on, or decline in, the rates of economic and developmental growth in the vital sectors that drive GDP indicators, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has adopted a package of decisions and measures aimed at easing the burden on the private sector, preserving its workers during the current period, and supporting its growth, to help them get through this period. These decisions include:

Full story on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development website

Worth More Than SAR 120 Billion: The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Takes Several Urgent Measures to Mitigate the Impact of the Coronavirus on Economic Activity and the Private Sector

As part of the ongoing efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, to address the effects and repercussions of the global pandemic (COVID-19), to take measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents, and to confront the financial and economic effects, His Excellency the Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Economy and Planning, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Aljadaan, stated that the government has taken several precautionary measures to help protect citizens and residents in the Kingdom, provide the financial requirements needed to implement preventive and direct measures to deal with the repercussions of the pandemic and work to limit its spread, and ensure the continuity of government agencies’ operations. He emphasized that the health and safety of citizens and residents come first among the priorities of government work, and that the government will provide all the additional appropriations required for the health sector and provide the health services needed for prevention, treatment, and preventing the spread.

Full story on the Ministry of Finance website

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority’s Program to Support Private Sector Financing

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) announces that, in line with its role in activating monetary policy tools and enhancing financial stability, including enabling the financial sector to support the growth of the private sector, and as part of supporting the efforts of the state, may Allah support it, to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigate its expected financial and economic effects on the private sector, especially the SMEs sector, SAMA has prepared an approximately SAR 50-billion program for the current phase, aimed at supporting the private sector and enabling it to play its role in enhancing economic growth through a package of measures that include the following:

First: Supporting SME financing.

Second: Supporting the fees of point-of-sale and e-commerce transactions.

Third: With regard to establishments affected by the precautionary measures adopted in the cities of Makkah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, SAMA is currently coordinating with banks and finance companies to facilitate payments related to the financing of these establishments.

Full announcement on the SAMA website

Saudi Arabia Defers Payment of Commercial Registration Fees for 3 Months

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce announced the deferral of payment of commercial registration fees due for 3 months.

In a statement on its Twitter account on Wednesday, the ministry said that the payment of commercial registration fees had been deferred for more than 116,000 commercial registrations, for registrations expiring in the period from March 18 to June 16, for 90 days from the registration’s expiry date.

Full story on Mubasher

The National Development Fund Announces Programs Worth Up to SAR 22 Billion in Support of Citizens and the Private Sector

The National Development Fund, in line with its role as a development institution that aims to enable its affiliated development funds and banks to serve development priorities and economic needs, and at the direction of the wise leadership, as part of the urgent initiatives announced by the government to confront the repercussions and effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and mitigate the expected economic effects, announced programs worth up to SAR 22 billion in support of citizens and the private sector.

Full story on the Saudi Press Agency website

The Agricultural Development Fund: Installments Due Deferred for 6 Months

The Agricultural Development Fund announced the deferral of installments due for the period from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020, for 6 months, for all contracts with annual installments that are current on payment and have not previously been rescheduled before this period.

Full story on Okaz

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund Announces an Initiative to Support Industrial Projects Affected by the Coronavirus

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund announced the launch of an initiative aimed at supporting the crisis management efforts launched by the state, may Allah support it, to mitigate the expected financial and economic effects on the private sector caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Full story on the Saudi Industrial Development Fund website

The Communications and Information Technology Commission Calls on Beneficiaries to Deal With Licensed Postal Service Providers and Registered Electronic Delivery Platforms

The Communications and Information Technology Commission issued a list of licensed postal service providers, in addition to another list of delivery companies operating through electronic platforms registered with it, in order to protect the rights of all beneficiaries.

Full story on the Saudi Press Agency website