Cabinet Merges Foreign Trade and Export Authorities

Saudi Arabia's Cabinet has approved merging the General Authority for Foreign Trade and the Saudi Export Development Authority into a single body named the General Authority for Foreign Trade and Export. The decision consolidates the Kingdom's trade and export functions under one umbrella.

Under the approval, the preparations needed to carry out the merger — along with any required regulatory measures — must be submitted within 180 days. This sets a clear timeline for integrating the two entities and their operations.

The new authority's board will be chaired by the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, while the Minister of Commerce will serve as deputy chairman. The leadership structure reflects the close link between the Kingdom's industrial base and its trade and export agenda.

What it means for residents and businesses

For companies involved in importing, exporting, or international trade, the merger aims to streamline oversight into one entity. However, no new fees, application steps, validity periods, or replacement service channels have been published so far.

Until implementing decisions and official service updates are issued, existing trade and export services should be assumed to continue as they are. Saudi Living will follow up with any confirmed changes to procedures or channels once they are officially announced.

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