Cabinet Merges Trade Bodies Into New Authority

The Cabinet has approved the merger of two trade-related bodies into a single entity to be known as the General Authority for Foreign Trade and Export, bringing together the responsibilities of the General Authority for Foreign Trade and the Saudi Export Development Authority.

the merger takes effect once the new authority's organizational arrangements are approved. The bodies involved have been given a window of 180 days to prepare the merger requirements and to submit any matters that require regulatory action.

The new authority will report to the Supreme Committee for Trade, Industry, Localization and Exports for its strategic visions, targets, and overall direction. Its board will be chaired by the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, with the Minister of Commerce serving as vice chair.

Why it matters

Consolidating foreign trade and export development under one roof is intended to streamline how the Kingdom supports exporters and manages its trade agenda. For businesses and the wider community, a unified authority could mean clearer points of reference for trade and export matters over time.

No new fees, service prices, application steps, or digital procedures were specified in the Cabinet decision, and no separate service channel or fee schedule for the merged authority has been announced in the available details. Saudi Living will share further updates as the new authority's arrangements are finalized.

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