Saudi Arabia approved on Monday a number of incentive initiatives for facilities affiliated with the Hajj and Umrah sector.
The initiative is based on the keenness of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to mitigate the financial and economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on individuals, private sector enterprises and investors, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The initiatives are part of the efforts being exerted by the government to cope with the financial and economic negative fallout of the pandemic on the most affected sectors operating in the Hajj and Umrah sector.
The initiatives are:
- Exempting accommodation facilities based in the cities of Makkah and Madinah from annual fees levied on licenses for municipal commercial activities. The measure is effective for one year.
- Exempting private sector enterprises operating in the Hajj and Umrah sector from paying the fees imposed on employed expatriates. The exemption lasts for six months.
- Renewing the Ministry of Tourism licenses for accommodation facilities in Makkah and Madinah, free of charge, for one year long, which can be extended.
- Postponing the collection of residency (Iqama) renewal fees for expatriates working in activities related to the Hajj and Umrah sector for six months. The sum will be paid in installments over a duration of one year.
- Extending the validity of traffic licenses for buses working with transport pilgrims facilities for one year and free of charge.
- Postponing for three months the collection of customs duties on new buses scheduled to operate during the forthcoming Hajj season. The sum will be paid in installments over four months, starting from the due date.
The Saudi government has launched more than 150 initiatives, with allocations exceeding SR180 billion, aimed at addressing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its effects on individuals, private sector and investors.
