General Authority for Zakat and Income gears up on mutual agreements with ministries to enforce VAT
Updated 19 November 2017
Mohammed Al-Sulami
JEDDAH: The General Authority for Zakat and Income (GAZI) is geared to sign a cooperation deal with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs following similar agreements with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the Customs Department in the context of its preparations to enforce the value added tax (VAT) on Jan. 1, 2018.
Meanwhile, the governor of GAZI, Suhail Abanami said the authority seeks to sign these deals to encourage government agencies to register and achieve the required preparedness before the launch of the VAT system, and provide all means of support and quality services in this regard.
Government agencies have many steps to undertake in preparation for the application of the VAT system and, therefore, GAZI exerts its best to support agencies and upgrade their efficiency, he said.
The GAZI governor urged qualified government establishments, whose annual revenues exceed SR1,000,000 ($266,649), to register for the VAT system before Dec. 20, 2017 through the website vat.gov.sa
For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Hamad Al-Omar, lauded the efforts being exerted by the authority to ensure the application of the VAT system, adding that they were working smoothly with GAZI to serve the national interests.
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
Updated 02 February 2026
SPA
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
A view of the experimental farm in Al-Lith. (SPA)
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
