King Salman issues new economic initiatives to support private sector amid COVID-19

Saudi Arabia's King Salman approved a new package of economic initiatives to support the private sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new package aims at accelerating the payment of the private sector dues, as well as providing more liquidity to sector players to help them finalize economic activities amid the coronavirus pandemic outbreak as follows:  

- A sum of SAR 50 billion in funds will be allocated for the payment of the private sector dues;  

- A 30% discount will be applied on electricity bills of the companies operating in the commercial, industrial and agricultural fields for two months, to be extended if necessary;  

- Companies in the industrial and commercial sectors can optionally pay 50% of the electricity bills for April, May and June, provided that the remaining dues will be paid in six month installments as of Jan. 2021. Payments can be further delayed if necessary;  

- Those registered in the Kingdom's Public Transport Authority, and are not working in a certain firm, will receive the minimum payments of their salaries;  

- The companies, which the state owns more than 51% of its capital, should prioritize the local content and support the small and medium enterprises to boost economic activities. 

Additionally, the Kingdom allocated more than SAR 47 billion in funds to the healthcare sector to help provide additional beds, medications, artificial ventilation systems and other clinical trials.