Cabinet amends Law on Precious Metals and Gemstones

The Saudi Cabinet decided to amend certain articles of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law, which was approved earlier this month. The amendments included the following key changes:

Article 1 was amended to read that the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources will oversee the production of precious metals, gemstones, and related crafts, as well as plated, coated, or inlaid items, and will regulate them according to the provisions of the regulations.

The Ministry of Commerce will oversee the trade of these items and ensure their regulation, as stipulated by the regulations.

Under Article 2, no one may engage in the production of precious metals and gemstones without obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, following the conditions and regulations set forth.

The financial fees for licenses and services related to this law will be determined by the regulations.

Under Article 10, the Ministry of Commerce, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry may require owners of precious metal factories to use specific hallmarks for their crafts, which must be registered according to the regulations.

The Minister of Commerce, in agreement with the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, will issue the necessary regulations to implement the law’s provisions.

The law’s amendments will take effect one year after its publication, and relevant authorities are required to issue the necessary regulations and decisions before the amendments become effective.

Additionally, all businesses involved in the production of precious metals and gemstones must adjust their status in accordance with the new amendments within six months of the law’s implementation. The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources may extend this period for an additional three months.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, along with the Ministry of Commerce, will develop a plan to transfer supervisory and regulatory responsibilities for the industry. This plan will include a timeline and address any issues that arise during the transfer process.

Furthermore, the determination of licensing and service fees will be coordinated with the Ministry of Finance and the Non-Oil Revenue Development Center until governance measures for fee imposition are in place and enforced.