In brief As you may know, on 14 September 2023, the Personal Data Protection Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. M/19, dated 09/02/1443H, amended pursuant to Royal Decree No. M/148, dated 05/09/1444H (the “PDPL”), officially entered into force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the PDPL came into force on 14 September 2023, organisations were afforded a further 12 Hijri months’ period from the date of entry into force to bring themselves into compliance…
ZATCA has published the Regional Headquarters Tax Rules (“RHQ Tax Rules”), approved and enacted by ZATCA’s board resolution no. (9-1-24) on 04/02/2024. Under the RHQ Tax Rules, RHQ licensed entities will enjoy the following tax incentives for a period of 30 years commencing from the date on which the RHQ license is issued: Any income derived by an RHQ entity that is not eligible for an exemption under the RHQ Tax Rules (such as income…
On 5 December 2023, the Saudi government announced the tax regime that will be applicable to Regional Headquarter entities (“RHQs”). RHQs will effectively be given a tax holiday for 30 years and outward payments by the RHQ would be subject to nil withholding tax. Specific details have yet to be announced. The Ministry of Investment, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced a tax holiday package…
In brief In September 2023, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) published the “AI Ethics Principles”, intending to support the Kingdom’s effort towards achieving its vision and national strategies related to adopting AI technology. SDAIA has analyzed global practices and developed the AI Ethics Principles to limit the negative implications of AI systems, help companies ensure the responsible use of those systems and protect the privacy of individuals and their rights concerning…
On 1 November 2023, the Board of the General Authority for Competition (“Authority”) announced that new financial thresholds would apply to determine whether a transaction is reportable to the Authority. By implementing such change, the aim of the Authority is to provide further clarity on the local nexus test required for a transaction to be notifiable to the Authority and to align the Saudi merger control regime further with international standards. This announcement follows the…