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WT/TPR/W/103  
29 April 2016  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente . 
  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 4 AND 6 APRIL 2016 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat (Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 16 May 2016. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
 
ROYAUME D 'ARABIE SAOUDITE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 4 ET 6 AVRIL 2016 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat (Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 16 mai 2016 au plus tard. 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
 
REINO DE ARABIA SAUDITA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 4 Y 6 DE ABRIL DE 2016 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sra. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 16 de mayo de 2016 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones. 
 
 
_______________ 
 WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: Ms Irene Young (Hong Kong, China) 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 3  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI 
ARABIA ........................................................................................................................ .... 5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT ................................................................................ 8  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 11  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 47  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 51  
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/333/Add.1 and 
will be available online at http://www.wt o.org/english/tratop_e /tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The second Trade Policy Review of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was held on 4 and 
6 April 2016. The Chairperson, Ms. Irene Young (H ong Kong, China), welcomed the delegation of 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by Dr. Abdolazeez Al Otaibi, Ambassador, Permanent 
Representative to the WTO; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Alvaro Cedeño Molinari 
(Costa Rica). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of th e Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was contained in 
document WT/TPR/G/333 and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/333. 
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadline and 
had been transmitted to the delegation of th e Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Switzerland; Oman; 
Colombia; México; Singapore; Australia; China; Chinese Taipei; European Union; Canada; Turkey; 
and the Dominican Republic. The following delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: United States; Chile; New Zealand; Korea; Kenya; Ecuador; Thailand; Argentina; and 
Malaysia. These questions had also been transmitted to the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia. 
1.4.  Saudi Arabia's last TPR took place in 2012, at a time when oil prices – and related export 
earnings and Government revenues – were high , and the economy was growing strongly. This 
trend had continued for a number of years, until oil prices started to fall in 2014, altering considerably the economic landscape. Understandably, for this review, many of the questions from Members focused on this development, and on how the Government reacted to it. If back in 2012, 
there had been already a strong case for economic diversification; the case could only be stronger 
now. It would be useful to know what measures the Government took to achieve this key objective of its Tenth Development Plan. 
1.5.  At the last TPR, Members had praised Saudi Arabia for its commitment to the multilateral 
trading system, and had encouraged it to take more of a leadership role in line with its growing importance in trade and economic terms. Members were pleased to know that, four years on, 
Saudi Arabia was still keeping its tariffs relatively low for most products, and still had not used any 
contingency measures. Also worth noting was that , during this period, the Government had taken 
additional steps to facilitate trade, resulting in substantially modernized customs procedures. Meanwhile, Category A notification of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation had also been 
submitted. The next obvious question, for many  Members, was when that Agreement would be 
ratified.  
1.6.  Regarding investment, the previous TPR had indicated that the Kingdom had a generally open 
regime. Since then, new sectors had been opened to foreign investment. However, some sectors 
remained excluded, and restrictions remained on the level of foreign ownership in some other sectors. Furthermore, new requirements to enco urage employment of Saudi nationals had been 
introduced, which could discourage foreign investment and thereby compromise diversification 
efforts. This was another area that Members would like to learn more about.  
1.7.  Competition policy had also attracted some attention at the last TPR, mainly because the 
Kingdom's competition law did not apply to state-owned enterprises which were present in many 
sectors of the economy. This was still the case. Although some changes had been made to the 
legislation in 2014, they dealt with fines for non-compliance only, and did not affect SoEs. Related to this issue was privatization policy. How to increase private sector participation in the economy 
and scale-back reliance on the public sector had been identified as a key challenge in the last 
review. The Chairperson believed Members would li ke to know more about the progress in this 
regard. 
1.8.  Also in the last review, some Members had urged Saudi Arabia to accede to the WTO 
Government Procurement Agreement and to remove  the price preferences for domestic and GCC 
products. The membership understood that positions had not changed. 
1.9.  Intellectual property was another area that continued to attract Members attention. In 2013, 
Saudi Arabia had joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Patent Law Treaty. Members WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  wished to have more information on how the Kingdom had strengthened its domestic laws and 
stepped up enforcement accordingly.  
1.10.  Apart from the above, issues such as TBT and SPS measures, taxes and incentives, 
agricultural policies, and transport policies had also been raised by Members. The Chairperson did 
not intend to go through them one by one, but hoped this meeting would allow the membership to 
discuss many of them in greater detail, particularly those of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. She looked forward to a fruitful exchange. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
(DR ABDOLAZEEZ AL OTAIBI) 
2.1.  I am very pleased to introduce an overvi ew of the trade policies of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia in its second Trade Policy Review.  
2.2.  On behalf of the Saudi delegation, I would like to start by thanking Mrs Irene Young, our 
Chairperson, as well as our discussant Ambassador Alvaro Molinari of Costa Rica.  
2.3.  Our special thanks go to the Secretariat of  the WTO for their outstanding efforts and support.  
2.4.  We also would like to express our deep gratitude to all of you for showing interest in our 
Trade Policy Review.  
2.5.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes that this periodical exercise is a main transparency 
instrument which provides opportunities for a process of collective evaluation of the trade policies 
and practices of each Member. We welcome this opportunity to acquaint the WTO Membership with 
the Saudi economy and our Government's policies particularly our trade policy framework. Saudi Arabia has always maintained an open, free, and transparent economy. 
2.6.  As a member of the G-20 and an active Member of the WTO, we would like to seize this 
opportunity to reaffirm our full commitment to the multilateral trading system and to the WTO rules and disciplines.  
2.7.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the achievements of the last two Ministerial 
Conferences in Bali and Nairobi and encourages  all Members to capitalize on the momentum 
generated by such achievements to conclude the remaining issues of the Doha Development Round.  
2.8.  Since our last Trade Policy Review, the global economy has been hampered by some new 
challenges, including a number of unexpected shocks, such as the geopolitical tensions and the decline in the world oil prices. Despite these challenges, the Saudi economy has always shown its 
resilience and ability to cope with shocks. This is due to the strength of the fundamentals of the 
Saudi economy. 
2.9.  Saudi Arabia has adopted multi-annual development plans including the Ninth Development 
Plan (2010-2014) and the Tenth Development Plan  (2015-2019). The implementation of the 9th 
Development Plan has resulted in a positive economic performance in the past few years in terms of GDP growth, moderate inflation, and surpluses in both its overall fiscal position and external current account. The Kingdom has had one of the strongest performing economies in the G-20. 
Real GDP growth averaged 5.3%  annually between 2010 and 2014.  
2.10.  In order to mitigate the adverse impact s of the turmoil of global economy, the Saudi 
Government, led by the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is determined to 
inject new dynamism into its economy through a productivity and investment-led transformation 
that could ensure future growth, diversificatio n of the economy, employment, and prosperity. 
2.11.  Major new policies that will help achieving these objectives over the coming five years 
include increasing average annual growth of government consumption to 5.2%; growth of 
government investment to 10.1%; growth in the value added of the oil and gas sector to 2.2%; enhancing competition in the Saudi market; adopti ng new reforms to investment policy; and the 
elaboration and implementation of a new investment road-map for each sector. 
2.12.  Key national priorities that aim to boost domestic investment, enhance competitiveness, 
and facilitate trade include: (1) reducing the regulatory burden and increasing government 
investment; (2) shifting to greater private sector funding and management of investment through 
public-private partnerships; (3) improving institutional frameworks including rules and regulations; 
(4) enhancing technical and vocational training; (5) boosting female labour force participation; (6) implementing the Trade Facilitation Ag reement; and (7) improving port capacity. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  2.13.  The diversification of the economy is a central and integral objective of our 10th 
Development Plan. Although, hydrocarbons continue  t o  p l a y  a  c e n t r a l  r o l e  i n  t h e  e c o n o m y ,  t h e  
Government is pursuing a successful diversific ation strategy to encourage the development of 
value-added activities in non-oil sectors such as services and manufacturing. 
2.14.  Consistent with the 10th Development Plan , the Kingdom has adopted significant number of 
structural, monetary, and fiscal reforms serving its objectives. Saudi Arabia has always been committed to national human resources develo pment agenda. Investments in education and 
training has been increased and labour market reforms were undertaken to increase participation 
of skilled Saudi nationals, particularly women, in sectors that offer significant value added and drive our transition to a knowledge-based economy. 
2.15.  Trade liberalization and investment are of a significant importance to Saudi Arabia’s 
economy. The Government encourages investment across nearly all economic sectors, including 
investments in industry, transportation, educatio n, health, communications technology, sciences, 
and energy. 
2.16.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undertook vari ous steps to facilitate and promote an increased 
role of the private sector in the economy and to improve the ease of doing business. According to 
the "2015 Doing Business" report of the Worl d Bank, Saudi Arabia ranked 49th out of 
189 economies in terms of ease of doing business. 
2.17.  Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) currently represent approximately 90% of all 
businesses in the Kingdom. In order to develo p and support this important segment of the 
economy, the Kingdom has recently established the General Authority for Small and Medium 
Enterprises with the aim of regulating SMEs as well as supporting and developing them in line with 
the best international practices.  
2.18.  In order to improve the investment envi ronment and enhance predictability and certainty 
for foreign investors, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has amended its 
regulation in 2014. SAGIA has also amended the negative list where several sectors were removed. Foreign investment in mining, petrochemicals, gas and communications are now 
permitted. 
2.19.  More recently, a royal directive has been issued to review the commercial and investment 
regulations so as to allow foreign companies to invest up to 100% in the wholesale and retail sector, which would boost the Kingdom's economy and make it more competitive while generating 
more jobs for Saudi nationals. 
2.20.  Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of the competition policy and believes that it is 
crucial to create an efficient market conduct and promote overall productivity, innovation and 
competitiveness. 
2.21.  The new Saudi Competition Law is expanding the scope of application of the Law to all 
establishments, organizations and authorities that conduct commercial and economic activities, 
notwithstanding their ownership. Progress is bein g made in developing a unified GCC Competition 
Law and it is expected to enter into force in the near future. 
2.22.  Saudi Arabia undertook a comprehensive revision of its laws covering intellectual property 
rights to bring them in line with the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights and promulgated changes in coor dination with the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO). The Kingdom has established oversight committees and applied a set of procedures to enforce the protection of Intellectual Property Rights. The Committee for Examining 
Patents Lawsuits has the power to grant injunctions to prevent infringements related to patents, 
industrial designs, layout-designs of integrated circuits and plant varieties. A total of 122 cases were filed against the Saudi Patent Office's decisions during the period 2012-2015, of which 
93 cases have been resolved. 
2.23.  The Kingdom considers privatization as a key tool that plays an important role in enhancing 
economic growth, generate revenue and increase efficiency. The Tenth Development Plan clearly 
envisages accelerating the privatization of some government services and underlines the WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  importance of studying the possible privatization of social services. For example, Saudi Post is 
considered to be a potential short-term privatization target, as well as the privatization of international and national airports. 
2.24.  With regard to customs, the Kingdom has completed the implementation of all its accession 
obligations in the goods sector, with the implementation of the sixth and last phase of the 
reduction of customs duties on 11 December 2015. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has substantially modernized its customs procedur es. The Kingdom has submitted its Category A 
notification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and the ratification of the TFA is in its final stage. 
2.25.  The Saudi Customs Department applies a fu lly automated system in most cases, allowing 
electronic submission and processing of import declarations. According to OECD trade facilitation indicators, Saudi Arabia performs better than th e averages of Middle East and North Africa and 
high-income countries in the areas of simplification and harmonization of documents, internal 
border agency cooperation and governance and impartiality. 
2.26.  Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of government procurement and believes that it is 
crucial to its economic development and diversification. Therefore, a review of the laws of 
government purchases and tenders is currently under way. With regard to the GPA’s accession, the 
Kingdom is currently conducting an impact assessment study of this agreement.  
2.27.  The Kingdom believes that regional trade agreements can be a useful complement to the 
multilateral system, by deepening the integration of markets, reinforcing the role of trade in economic growth, promoting economies of scale , and encouraging regional cooperation. The 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with the other Gu lf Cooperation Council Members, will engage 
more actively in negotiations aimed at concludi ng free trade agreements to create and enhance 
market access opportunities for non-oil exports. To date, the GCC had signed two FTAs with Singapore and EFTA. 
2.28.  Saudi Arabia clearly recognizes the centrality of development and the need for positive 
efforts to ensure that developing countries, an d especially the least-developed ones, get their 
share in the growth of international trade. Its co ntribution and support to the Enhanced Integrated 
Framework, the trade program to deliver real and concrete support to the LDCs helping them to 
use trade as a tool for growth, sustainable develo pment and poverty reduction, is a clear proof of 
the commitment of the Kingdom to support the development dimension. 
2.29.  In conclusion, I have briefly outlined th e framework that underpins our trade and economic 
policies, our goals for economic and social development, as well as trade policy initiatives 
implemented since our last TPR. We welcome the large number of questions that we have received from our partners in the WTO. We have endeav oured to provide answers to these questions and 
we look forward to your comments and suggestions today and on Wednesday regarding our trade 
policies. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  It is an honour to serve as discussant for the Trade Policy Review of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia. I had the privilege of attending a conferen ce at the Madinah Institute for Leadership and 
Entrepreneurship in 2014 and I was very positively impressed by what I saw in terms of the digital 
transformation that Saudi Arabia is experiencing . More concretely, I learned about the fast-paced 
implementation of an E-government platform that allows the Saudi population to have access to as many as 500 government procedures from their computers or mobile phones. Coming from a 
country like Costa Rica, which is also striving to  become a knowledge-based economy, I can relate 
to the Saudi challenges. 
3.2.  Precisely because of that personal experience , I would like to focus my intervention on what I 
consider the main aspect of this review: the diversification of the Saudi economy and the 
structural reforms needed to transform it into  a knowledge-based one. The Kingdom aspires to 
achieve this ambitious goal by the year 2030, in accordance to the Tenth Development Plan 
(2015-2019). This topic is quite relevant given the current worldwide context of a decline in oil 
prices, Saudi Arabia’s main export produc t and main source of Government revenue. 
3.3.  What is the roadmap needed to achieve the ambitious goal of becoming an economy that can 
rely on knowledge, information and high skilled labour? What type of policies could Saudi Arabia 
pursue in order to facilitate its transition? What sort of trade and investment measures may 
contribute to a successful transformation? These qu estions will hopefully be addressed during the 
next couple of days, and we will have a clearer picture of where Saudi Arabia is heading to and what we, the multilateral trading system, can do to help one of our own. 
3.4.  Before we address these questions, it would be relevant to know where Saudi Arabia stands 
at present. Despite a fall in oil prices, Saudi Arabia manages to maintain economic stability. Inflation remains low, averaging close to 3% in the last five years, GDP has been growing steadily 
at a rate of approximately 4 to 5%, and its fiscal situation remains under control. Oil reserves are 
abundant. Caution, however, should be observed since the fall in oil prices is fairly recent and there is uncertainty as to how much longer this scenario will persist. One thing is clear: economic 
diversification is essential in order to cope with a post-oil era and it is, therefore, something that 
should not be postponed. Saudi Arabia understands this and has strategically decided to work on the transition to a knowledge-based economy. It is a wise decision to make and the timing to 
implement changes seems appropriate.  
3.5.  We understand a "knowledge-based economy" as an economy that is directly based on the 
production, distribution and use of knowledge an d information. This is reflected in the trend 
towards productivity gains associated with high -technology investments and industries, and more 
highly-skilled labour. It implies transversal cooperation such as public-private partnerships, and 
diversity among the human capital expected to creatively drive innovation.
1 
3.6.  It is interesting to note that Saudi Arabia has identified economic diversification, 
improvement of competitiveness and active particip ation of its private sector as key components 
within its transformation strategy into a knowledge-based economy. What measures has Saudi Arabia taken so far in these areas and what improvements could still be identified? 
3.7.  In terms of economic diversification, to increase the participation of non-oil sectors in the 
country’s GDP is one of the objectives pursued. Given the large amount of oil reserves, it would be 
useful to identify economic incentives that could assist the Kingdom in achieving diversification, both of public revenues and exports. These objectives are, anyway, on-going processes towards a 
long-term goal.  
3.8.  In the short term, improvement of competit iveness and a more active participation of the 
private sector seem more achievable. The introduction of a new Companies Law and the opening 
of certain sectors to foreign direct investme nt, such as mining, petrochemicals, gas and 
telecommunications are all welcomed contributions in that sense. Other sectors, such as commercial services, communications and insurance, where restrictions to private participation remain, could further contribute to the transfer of knowledge and information. Learning how 
                                               
1 OECD, "The knowledge based economy" (OCDE/GD(96)102), 1996, p.7. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  Saudi Arabia plans to reform these other sectors could give potential investors and trading 
partners the opportunity to engage constructively towards the main diversification goal.  
3.9.  Other trade and investment measures could improve the business climate and boost 
competitiveness. Among them, deeper trade facilitation measures; stronger intellectual property laws; and improvements to amend government proc urement provisions in order to allow greater 
participation of foreign bidders. Members have expressed strong interest in these issues.  
Human capital 
3.10.  The road towards an economy based on knowledge must also comprise innovation, 
particularly through the development of a skill ed workforce, able to generate new ideas, 
technologies and inventions adapted to the era of information. The OECD states that "to compete successfully in today's global economy, countries need to develop the potential of all of their 
citizens. They need to ensure that men and wome n develop the right skills and find opportunities 
to use them productively".
2 
3.11.  Certainly, the trigger for innovation is education. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made 
remarkable progress closing education gaps for upper secondary level in young adults, and, in 
addition, more people are accessing tertiary education, including women, although at a slower 
pace.  
3.12.  To tackle the new challenges, it is fundamental to face the global realities and generate a 
supply and demand for skills towards the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution. According to the 
World Bank, Saudi Arabia's adult literacy rate exceeds 94% for both genders. Together with the 
fact that 70% of the population is under 30 years of age, opportunities to develop its human capital are enormous. Nevertheless, the interest of young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers remains low and humanities, social sciences, law 
and education are still the most sought fields. Women represent 55% of graduates from Saudi 
universities, mostly focusing on the field of education. Their insertion in the labour market is a priority for the Government. They represent over half of the country's idle workforce in an 
economy with great potential for diversifying and competing in more knowledge based areas. 
Contributions from the World Bank and the World Economic Forum indicate that Saudi Arabia women do better in math and science than men, but they remain so far unable to pursue STEM careers. 
3.13.  Creating capacities and skills enable entrepreneurship: for an economy that has been based 
predominantly on the oil industry, opportunities to explore and diversify abound. The involvement 
of the private sector on this matter is essential to enter into broader areas, such as services, high tech, and digital communications. The developmen t of start-ups may be promoted along with 
better access of foreign investment into the country, so the younger populations can have a wider 
range of employment options in the private sector. Investment - both local and foreign - on research and development can prompt a more knowledge-based human capital in information and 
communication technologies, clean energy production, and new manufacturing processes, among 
others.  
Transparency 
3.14.  Allow me to shift to the topic of transparen cy, which is the main driver of any TPR exercise. 
The application of this principle in trade allows economic actors and investment partners to monitor the effective implementation of rules, while ensuring fairness and peer review in 
decision-making processes. The proximate object ive of transparency is reducing information 
asymmetries among Governments, and between the State, economic actors, and citizens. As for 
Governments, information asymmetry exacerbates power imbalances. By reducing such information gaps, the WTO helps to level the playing field.
3 
3.15.   Therefore, it is of note that the Secretariat report on Saudi Arabia indicates that objectives 
and strategies for development are set out in multi-annual plans. The details of the operation of 
                                               
2 Education at a Glance 2015 Report (OECD, 2015). 
3 Robert Wolfe , Letting the sun shine in at the WTO: How transparency brings the trading system to life . 
School of Policy Studies Queen’s University, World Trade Organization, Economic Research and Statistics Division, 6 March 2013. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  the Tenth Development Plan should be published in order to increase the predictability and 
stability needed to encourage investment, create jobs and improve consumer welfare. The Secretariat report also indicates that, at the end of 2015, Saudi Arabia had 13 outstanding notifications. As part of this important transparency exercise, we encourage the Saudi Government to bring these notifications up to date. 
A knowledge based economy, and a low carbon economy? 
3.16.  I can't help but notice that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country marked by deep 
contrasts. On one hand, the Arabian Peninsula is one of the world's driest regions (with rainfall averaging less than 130 millimeters per year), wh ere securing sustainable sources of water and 
food, has always been a challenge. On the other hand, it also holds some of the world’s largest oil 
reserves, a circumstance that has enormously contributed to the economic development of the 
Kingdom during the last century. 
3.17.  However, today the country is facing challenges that are, in a certain way, a more extreme 
version of the ones the rest of the world must face. The upcoming decades will see a global energy 
system shifting towards a low carbon economy: with the rise of solar energy and its more 
widespread use by the general public; projections of lower energy demand, particularly in developed economies; the emergence of more effi cient energies and technologies; and the rising 
threat of climate change. In the medium term, a more prolonged period of lower oil prices cannot 
be ruled out either.
4 
3.18.  How the Kingdom can "fuel" its growth to become a knowledge-based economy, and 
hopefully a low carbon one in the process, is a difficult question, with seemingly incompatible objectives and means at first glance. But in every challenge lies also an opportunity: Saudi Arabia 
could become a model for other countries, as it invests in new technologies; fosters innovative 
industries; and develops its human capital to find creative solutions for the energy challenges of 
the XXI century. 
3.19.  We are already seeing a first approach. The Kingdom already holds a comparative 
advantage in downstream refining, processing and converting industries, as well as other 
energy-intensive industries that have relatively low production costs. This is why it is very encouraging that the Saudi Government is steadily planning to integrate renewable energies into 
the power grid with different technologies and sizes
5 including photovoltaic, concentrated solar 
power, wind, geothermal, and waste to energy.  
3.20.  We cannot overlook either the ever presen t need to secure a sustainable source of water 
and food for a growing population of 30.8 million. As a net food importer, a strong and transparent multilateral trading system is not only a sound strategy for Saudi Arabia, it is a necessity. Once 
again, the future of Saudi Arabia is heavily entwin ed with the economic performance of the rest of 
the world, and particularly with the developing one, where there is still a lot to be done in creating more transparent, stronger and more efficient agricu ltural value chains. In that sense, it is very 
positive to note that support notified under the Amber Box (including de minimis ) has been 
declining steadily since 2008.
6 It is also noteworthy that the agricultural policy in the Ninth 
Development Plan included provisions to increase the size of investments in agricultural activities abroad, and to boost regional and international cooperation in this sector.
7 It would be of great 
value to have more detailed information regarding the application and results of such policies.  
3.21.  As a final consideration, my country, Costa Rica, has no significant reservoirs of minerals or 
hydrocarbons. Instead, the country has relied on it s biodiversity, forest coverage, fertile land and 
water to build its comparative advantages in agriculture, renewable energies and services. 
Regardless of these differences, we share the same goal with Saudi Arabia: to become a 
knowledge-based economy pillared by strong and competitive human capital. My final question 
would therefore be: how can we, the WTO Members, following this House’s rules, principles and 
tools, develop synergies that help Saudi Arabia achieve that common goal? I look forward to the 
answers that this transparency ex ercise will certainly provide. 
                                               
 4 Sources: Bloomberg, New Energy Finance: New Energy Outlook 2015, Powering a changing world; 
International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2015 . 
5 Source: TPR, Government  Report paragraph 6.10. 
6 Source: TPR, Secretaria t Report, paragraph 4.35. 
7 Source: TPR, Secretaria t Report, paragraph 4.22. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
SWITZERLAND 4.1.  In the ten years since joining WTO, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established itself as an 
active and influential member of our Organization and supporter of the multilateral trading system. 
4.2.  Looking at the period under review, we we lcome the positive overall economic performance 
of Saudi Arabia, the prudent fiscal management and the steps taken to promote a more diversified and sustainable economy. 
4.3.  The sharp decline in oil prices has come to underscore the importance of the objectives for 
economic development as set out in Saudi Arabia’s Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019).  
4.4.  Making the private sector more attractive  for entrepreneurs, investors and employees – as 
well as further developing human resources and broadening participation in the labour market – 
seem to be among the key elements towards a more balanced and competitive economic 
structure, especially in non-oil sectors.  
4.5.  We note the efforts made in the framework of the Nitaqat programme aimed at expanding 
employment of Saudi nationals. Implementing this programme in a way that is consistent with 
WTO rules and does not unnecessarily complicate business activities should remain a central consideration. 
4.6.  Switzerland welcomes the Kingdom’s recent initiatives aimed at reducing its high 
hydrocarbon consumption and at promoting renewabl e energies. We would like to encourage Saudi 
Arabia to further strengthen these efforts, including throug h the avoidance of fossil fuel subsidies.          
4.7.  We commend Saudi Arabia’s trade profile with full binding coverage and relatively low 
average bound and applied rates for goods. Further reducing tariff and – probably even more 
importantly – non-tariff barriers would positively affect the ease of doing business in the country, along with a more transparent and predictable implementation of regulations.  
4.8.  We welcome recent steps simplifying the Kingdom’s customs procedures, such as electronic 
submission and processing of import declarations. We encourage Saudi Arabia to pursue the Single Window project and to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement as soon as possible. 
4.9.  In this context, Ms. Chairperson, we have noted that Saudi Arabia has been downgraded very 
significantly by the World Bank’s Doing Business  reports over the reporting period, from an 
excellent 12th rank to the 82nd position. Explanat ions in the respect of these worrying findings 
would be appreciated. 
4.10.  Recently, Saudi Arabia raised the applied duties for cigarettes within its WTO commitments. 
We expect the impact of such increase on the GCC’s common external tariff to be considered carefully, in line with respective WTO rules. 
4.11.  Before concluding, let me mention that bilateral economic relations between Switzerland 
and Saudi Arabia have evolved dynamically since 2011. Merchandise trade has more than doubled, and direct investments have also increased substantially, with a workforce of about 10’000 now 
employed by Swiss companies in the Kingdom. 
4.12.  In 2014, a Free Trade Agreement between the four EFTA and six GCC States entered into 
force. Full implementation by all Parties will further enhance the trade and investment framework 
between both sides. 
4.13.  We look forward to Saudi Arabia’s continued engagement for the multilateral trading system 
and wish the Saudi Arabian delegation a productive Trade Policy Review. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  OMAN 
4.14.  Saudi Arabia has secured positive economic development between 2010 and 2014, with 
adequate GDP growth and moderate inflation. The fall in oil prices from the middle of 2014 has been met by determined efforts by the authorities to accelerate diversification of the economy 
through privatization, encouragement of foreign investment, transformation into a knowledge 
economy and development of national human resources. This process is led by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs led by His Ro yal Highness the Deputy Crown Prince. We have 
no doubt that the Kingdom is on the road to greater economic development resulting in more 
prosperity and welfare to its people and wish Saudi Arabia all the success in its diversification endeavours. 
4.15.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an import ant and active Member of the WTO. It considers 
the multilateral trading system as central to the conduct of its trade policies. 
4.16.  Over the past few years the Permanent Repr esentative of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr Abdulazeez 
Al-Otaibi, has chaired the Council for Trade in Se rvices, the Council for Trade Related-Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the Work ing Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology. 
His Excellency’s team in Geneva has also been active, Dr Maha Al Gabbani having chaired the Committee on Trade in Financial Services and Mr. Saqer Al-Moqbel has chaired the Working Party 
on GATS Rules. 
4.17.  Moreover, Dr Abdulazeez has been the coor dinator for the Arab Group several times and has 
previously chaired the Asian Group of Developing Countries. 
4.18.  Saudi Arabia has also increased its participation as third party in a number of WTO disputes 
and has thereby contributed positively in the dial ogue on implementation of a number of important 
WTO rules and obligations.  
4.19.  This impressive track record is a testament to the importance Saudi Arabia attaches to the 
multilateral trading system and its positive contribution to the work of the WTO. 
4.20.  The Kingdom is also an active participant in Doha Round negotiations and it strongly 
supports efforts to bring the multilateral negotiations to a successful conclusion. 
4.21.  Oman and Saudi Arabia, along with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, 
are bound together in a liberal, outward looking, trade creating arrangement in the framework of 
the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Kingdom’s trade policies are rooted in this GCC arrangement. 
4.22.  Saudi Arabia has joined the WTO in 2005 and has made extensive, commercially meaningful 
commitments in agriculture, goods and services along with many systemic commitments. 
4.23.  Saudi Arabia bound practically all tariffs at an average bound rate of 11%. Its actual applied 
MFN tariff is the low figure of 5.2%. It has also made specific commitments on more than 100 
sub-sectors of services. 
4.24.  The Kingdom does not use any internal taxes such as sales tax or excise duties. It does not 
resort to prohibited quantitative restrictions, does not apply illegal Trade Related Investment 
Measures, has no export subsidies and has not resorted to any trade remedy measures. Thus, 
Saudi Arabia faithfully adheres to the principles and rules of the WTO and to its obligations. 
4.25.  One of the aims of the Trade Policy Revi ew Mechanism is to evaluate the impact of a 
Member’s trade policies on the functioning of the multilateral trading system. In light of Saudi 
Arabia’s record of strict observance of WTO rules, we urge this Body to conclude that the impact of 
Saudi Arabia’s trade policies on the functioning of the multilateral trading system is highly positive. 
COLOMBIA 
4.26.  Desde el último examen de política comercial en el 2012, el Reino de Arabia Saudita ha 
tenido un destacable desempeño económico. Como registra el informe de la Secretaría, el crecimiento del PIB real entre 2010 y 2014 se situó en 5,3%, lo que posicionó a la economía saudí WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  entre las de mayor crecimiento del G-20. En particular, siendo el segundo productor y primer 
exportador mundial de petróleo, los elevados precios que este recurso mantuvo hasta el año 2014 resultaron en superávits fiscales y reservas de divisas equivalentes a tres años de importaciones que permitieron reducir la deuda pública. Además, impulsaron el desarrollo de importantes 
sectores como el turismo (por motivos religiosos) los servicios financieros y la construcción.  
4.27.  No obstante, la caída de los precios del petróleo a partir del año 2014 ha tenido un impacto 
negativo en los indicadores económicos de la economía del Reino, especialmente en la balanza de 
pagos, el paso del superávit a un déficit fiscal, y en la tasa de crecimiento económico. 
4.28.  Como respuesta a tal coyuntura, el Reino de Arabia Saudita ha venido apostándole a la 
diversificación de la economía mediante sus más recientes planes de desarrollo, cuyo fin es reducir la dependencia de los ingresos generados por la industria petrolera. Alcanzar tales objetivos 
supone considerables esfuerzos de apoyo a actividades diferentes a la producción y refinación de 
hidrocarburos y la gestión de un mejor ambiente de inversión. Vale la pena destacar proyectos de inversión de gran escala como la construcción de cuatro "ciudades económicas" para el fomento de 
varios sectores competitivos y la generación de empleo. 
4.29.  Ahora bien, reformar la economía no es una tarea exenta de retos que merezcan nuestra 
atención. Por un lado, el Programa Nitaqat exige que un porcentaje mínimo de empleados sean 
ciudadanos sauditas. Como señala el informe de la Secretaría, esto podría repercutir sobre el costo 
de las actividades comerciales y provocar el cierre de empresas en sectores importantes como el de la construcción, donde la mayoría de los trabajadores no son nacionales sauditas. Por otro lado, se busca la diversificación de las exportaciones diferentes al petróleo mediante medidas que 
aplican a productos que cuenten con un valor añad ido nacional de al menos del 25%, como apoyos 
de financiación y garantía. Es importante que dicha estrategia se encuentre en armonía con las normas que rigen el sistema multilateral de comercio. 
4.30.  En materia de inversiones, aplaudimos los esfuerzos del Reino para mejorar el clima de 
inversión. Sin embargo, consideramos que aún hay espacio para una mayor ampliación y diversificación de oportunidades para los inversionistas extranjeros. En concreto, podemos 
mencionar restricciones como la lista negativa para inversionistas extranjeros y limitaciones a la 
propiedad extranjera, que esperamos puedan ser progresivamente reducidas.  
4.31.  Celebramos que se estén dirigiendo esfuerzos hacia la privatización de empresas públicas 
para dar una mayor participación al sector privado en la economía saudí, teniendo en cuenta el 
papel preponderante del gobierno en el capital de varias empresas comerciales de relevancia 
mundial como lo es la petrolera Saudi Aramco.  
4.32.  En materia aduanera, es de resaltar que el Reino de Arabia Saudita cuenta con un régimen 
aduanero sencillo, con promedios de aranceles consolidados y aplicados relativamente bajos. 
Además, el 100% de las líneas arancelarias, salvo aquellas en los que ciertos productos se encuentran restringidos, están consolidadas. No obstante, notamos que aún persisten líneas en las 
que la brecha entre el arancel consolidado y aplic ado es amplia, tal y como fue señalado en el 
anterior examen de política comercial. Esta podría ser un área se avance en nuestras futuras negociones. 
4.33.  No podemos pasar por alto los notables avances en materia de propiedad intelectual, 
puntualmente en el aumento de las solicitudes de patentes. Esperamos que dichos progresos sigan 
en materia de marcas de fábrica y marcas comerciales. 
4.34.  Respecto de las relaciones bilaterales, Arabia Saudita es el primer socio comercial de 
Colombia en el Golfo. En 2015 fue un importante comprador de café, productos de confitería, 
pigmentos a base de cromo, material eléctrico y equipos de radiografía. Colombia importó sobre todo productos de la industria petroquímica. 
4.35.  Arabia Saudita es miembro activo de la OMC, y a la vez pertenece a la Zona Panárabe de 
Libre Comercio y al Consejo de Cooperación de los Estados Árabes del Golfo. En general, los acuerdos regionales concluidos por Arabia Saudita se concentran en los países árabes y Europa, y otros se han venido gestionando con países asiáticos. Nos preguntamos si Arabia Saudita WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  estudiaría una eventual ampliación de la actual política de negociaciones comerciales para 
proyectarla a otras regiones del mundo.  
4.36.  Finalmente, le deseamos el mayor de los éxitos en su segundo examen de política comercial 
y los animamos a continuar su rol activo al interior de la OMC. 
MÉXICO 
4.37.  De 2011 a 2014, periodo de este examen, el Reino de Arabia Saudita sigue siendo el 
segundo productor y primer exportador mundial de petróleo, habiéndose beneficiado de sus altos 
precios, de alrededor de los 100 dólares EE.UU. por barril. Esto le llevó a fortalecer su economía 
con crecimientos tan impresionantes como el de 10% registrado en 2011, cuyo dinamismo fue trasladado a sectores tales como manufacturas, construcción, transporte y comercio minorista.  
4.38.  Algunas variables económicas presentaron comportamientos muy estables, por ejemplo, la 
inflación se mantuvo en niveles de entre 2,7% y 3,7%, las tasas de interés reales y nominales 
muy similares a las de 2010, las de desempleo total en tasas de alrededor del 5,6%, y la deuda pública total incluso bajó de 5,4% del PIB en 2011 a 1,6% en 2014.  
4.39.  Sin embargo, durante los últimos tres meses de 2014, los precios del petróleo comenzaron 
a sufrir una caída drástica, hasta llegar a los 60 dólares EE.UU. por barril, caída que se pronunció aún más durante 2015 y en los primeros meses de 2016, cuando en febrero se vendió a 
31.5 dólares EE.UU. por barril.  
4.40.  Esto ha ocasionado que se comiencen a vislumbrar los efectos contrarios a los mostrados en 
los cuatro años anteriores. De acuerdo al Fondo Monetario Internacional, para 2016 el PIB crecerá a tasas menores del 3%, con la consecuente caída en el PIB per cápita de 24 a 20 mil dólares 
EE.UU. entre 2014 y 2016. 
4.41.  Se estima que para 2015 el déficit presupuestal alcance el 19% del PIB y si bien cuenta con 
importantes reservas internacionales, de acuerdo con algunos economistas, requeriría que el 
precio del petróleo regresara a los niveles de 100 dólares EE.UU. por barril para poder corregirlo. 
4.42.  Otro tema que debería requerir atención de parte del Reino de Arabia Saudita es la 
velocidad con la que el ahorro interno se ha reducido, al pasar del 50% del PIB en 2011 a 26% en 
2015, lo que indudablemente traerá consecuencias en el crecimiento futuro.  
4.43.  México reconoce los esfuerzos que el Reino de Arabia Saudita ha desplegado para mejorar 
varios aspectos relacionados con sus políticas comerciales, entre otros: 
 Eliminar de la lista negativa de inversiones extranjeras a la minería, productos 
petroquímicos, gas y telecomunicaciones. Sin embargo, creemos que hay ciertos sectores de 
servicios que también podrían verse beneficiados, como el de audiovisuales.  
 Otro aspecto importante es su adhesión al Tratado de Cooperación en materia de Patentes y 
al Tratado sobre el Derecho de Patentes, lo que sin duda ha dado mayor certidumbre a su 
legislación en materia de Propiedad Intelectual, lo que ha llevado a que la solicitud de patentes se haya multiplicado por 5 en el periodo de 2000 a 2013. 
 En cuanto a los aranceles, es de destacar que el 90% de sus líneas arancelarias apliquen 5% 
o menos de arancel, lo que le ha llevado a tener una de las estructuras tarifarias más simples. También es de aplaudir que Arabia Saudita no haya iniciado ni impuesto alguna medida antidumping, compensatoria o de salvaguardia.   
4.44.  En lo que respecta al sector agrícola, si bien, como señala el informe de la Secretaría, no ha 
habido cambios importantes en la política agrí cola durante el periodo del examen, nos parece 
pertinente destacar que los niveles de ayuda de compartimiento ámbar y de caja verde han 
disminuido en los últimos años. 
4.45.  En cuanto a los servicios, en particular el bancario, debido a una buena reglamentación de 
parte de las autoridades, este sector no se vio afectado en gran medida por los efectos de la crisis WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  financiera internacional. De hecho, sus activos totales aumentaron de 377 mil millones de dólares 
EE.UU. en 2010 a 568 mil millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2014, lo que representa más de tres cuartas partes del PIB. Sin embargo, es un sector muy concentrado, donde los seis mayores bancos representaron el 75% de dichos activos. 
4.46.  Antes de concluir, queremos agradecer las respuestas del Reino de Arabia Saudita a 
nuestras preguntas y expresar nuestros mejores deseos a su delegación para la exitosa conclusión del presente examen. 
SINGAPORE
 ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN 
4.47.  ASEAN and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have  strong and cordial trade relations. Over the 
past 10 years, total trade between ASEAN and Sa udi Arabia has grown significantly, from about 
US$17 billion to nearly US$45 billion. Although the fluctuation in oil prices has had an impact on 
the ebb and flow of ASEAN’s trade with Saud i Arabia, overall trade growth remains very 
encouraging, averaging at about 29% between 2010 and 2014.  
4.48.  At the WTO, Saudi Arabia has participated actively, such as through its contributions as a 
member of the Asia Group. ASEAN also commends Saudi Arabia for its transparent and simple 
tariff system and its intention to enhance its customs procedures with the view to facilitate trade. We hope that this will enable Saudi Arabia to soon accept the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.49.  Some of us in ASEAN have submitted written questions to Saudi Arabia and we thank Saudi 
Arabia in advance for its written responses. We also express our thanks to Ambassador Abdolazeez 
Al-Otaibi and his delegation for their constructive engagement with the ASEAN delegations here in Geneva. 
SINGAPORE 
4.50.  Singapore and Saudi Arabia share significant trade and investment linkages. Saudi Arabia is 
Singapore’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral trade driven largely by 
trade in oil and refined petroleum. Singapore companies have also invested substantially in 
Saudi Arabia, especially in the sectors of infrastructure development and transport and logistics. These trade and investment linkages were further strengthened with the entry into force of the 
Gulf Cooperation Council–Singapore Free Trade Agr eement, or GSFTA, on 1 September 2013. This 
agreement is the GCC’s first Free Trade Agreement outside the Middle-East, and continues to garner much interest from our businesses and traders. 
4.51.  It is thus with some concern that we note several problems in its implementation. Some of 
our exporters have encountered difficulties in ma king claims for preferential tariffs under the 
GSFTA at Saudi Arabia’s customs ports. While the 1 April 2015 had been set as the target date for the resolution of this issue and the full implemen tation of the agreement,  problems persist. We 
urge Saudi Arabia to redouble efforts to ensure full implementation of the agreement, which would 
benefit all parties. Saudi Arabia is the only GCC member that has yet to formally recognize Singapore’s MUIS Halal Standards, despite the GSFTA’s requirement for GCC countries to enter 
into negotiations to do so. We hope that th ese issues will be resolved expeditiously.  
4.52.  Singapore welcomes Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and move towards a 
knowledge-based economy under its Tenth Development Plan. This is particularly important with the current volatility in oil prices, and will also allow Saudi Arabia to fully tap on its immense 
potential, given the vastness of both its natural and human resources. We encourage Saudi Arabia 
to hasten its privatization efforts, and to take full advantage of the low oil prices to press on with its fuel subsidy reforms which would help to enhance competitiveness and market efficiency.  
4.53.  Finally, we note that Saudi Arabia has been an active and committed Member to the 
multilateral process since its accession in December 2005. It has commendably maintained a relatively low tariff regime and has avoided trade re medial measures. However, we note that it has 
lagged behind in some of its notification obligations, particularly on agriculture. We note also that 
Saudi Arabia has yet to ratify the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. We urge that the Saudi Government does so soon. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  AUSTRALIA 
4.54.  Australia welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Second Trade Policy Review of 
Saudi Arabia. Australia’s friendly bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia is based on increasing people-to-people links, and substantial trade and investment activities.  
4.55.  Saudi Arabia and Australia enjoy a strong, growing trading relationship, with two-way trade 
in goods and services valued at nearly AUD2.5 billion in 2014-15. Saudi Arabia is a key market for Australian-produced motor vehicles and agricultural commodities. Australia is an important 
destination for Saudi Arabian students with over 10,000 students studying in Australian 
educational institutions in 2014.  
4.56.  Australia commends Saudi Arabia’s efforts to  improve its investment environment, including 
through initiatives and programs launched by th e Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. 
Saudi Arabia was ranked 24th in the World Economic Forum’s 2014-15 Global Competitiveness 
Index and 49th in the World Bank’s 2015 Doin g Business report. Implementation of these 
initiatives will continue to make Saudi Arabia a more competitive investment destination. Australia 
encourages efforts to streamline visa issuance so as to encourage travel and mutual familiarity 
between investors and businesses of the two countries. 
4.57.  Australia supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts to continue economic and structural reforms. 
Continued trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation can be an important component of 
such reforms by encouraging long-term competitiveness and growth. Australia would also commend any new effort to facilitate, simplify and streamline procedures related to Custom’s 
clearance, noting the various indicators of logistics performance and time taken for documentary 
compliance by importers of goods into Saudi Arabia. 
4.58.  Australia would welcome enhanced exchange s of information with Saudi Arabia about SPS 
and TBT regulations and procedures by ensuring direct, government-to-government enquiries can 
be made to the relevant Saudi Arabian competent agencies.  
4.59.  Australia would welcome further informatio n about Saudi Arabia’s policy stance on Free 
Trade Agreements, including as a leading member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), noting 
that the GCC suspended all its GCC FTA negotiations in 2009 pending review. In this respect, we 
also note the pivotal role that Saudi Arabia plays in GCC affairs, including its Presidency of the GCC in 2016, and note that the GCC resumed FTA negotiations with China early this year. 
4.60.  Australia welcomes Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy through implementing 
measures from the Tenth Development Plan for 2015–2019. Australia recognizes Saudi Arabia’s 
commitment to transforming into a knowledge economy, including though ensuring productive human capital and an active private sector. Australia notes Saudi Arabia’s consideration of 
privatisation of government-owned companies as a way of generating revenue, increasing 
efficiency and encouraging private investment in Saudi Arabia. 
4.61.  Australia notes the recent announcement of the intention to implement a Value Added Tax 
(VAT) from 2018. This is a significant development in terms of diversifying taxation revenues, one 
which Australia itself undertook in July 2000 thro ugh the introduction of a 10% goods and services 
tax. 
4.62.  For this review, Australia has submitted a number of written questions relating to 
Saudi Arabia’s trade, investment and taxation regime. We look forward to Saudi Arabia’s response 
to these questions. 
CHINA 
4.63.  During the period under review, Saudi Arabia has achieved remarkable economic 
development, its average GDP growth rate (5.3%) was one of the fastest among the G20 countries. It is also commendable that Saudi Arabia’s development strategy continued to center on 
a liberalized trade and investment regime. In particular, there are many new sectors such as 
mining, petrochemicals and telecommunications have opened to foreign investments since last review. At the same time, we also noticed that the decline in oil and gas prices has affected the WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  economy and government revenues of  Saudi Arabia in the last 2 years. We believe that embark 
upon wider diversification and lift the non-oil growth is the best solution for Saudi Arabia to tackle these challenges.  
4.64.  Last year marks the 10th anniversary of Saudi Arabia’s accession to the WTO. We are glad 
to see that Saudi Arabia has well integrated in th e multilateral trading system and started to take 
leadership role in many areas in the WTO. We appreciate the important role that Ambassador Al Otaibi played in the Arab Group and in this organization during the DDA negotiations and look 
forward to work closely with our Saudi colleagues in the future. 
4.65.  Turning to the bilateral front, the economic cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia 
has developed by leaps and bounds, with rich results in in various fields. Today, China is one of the largest trading partners of Saudi Arabia. The bilateral trade volume amounted to US$52 billion 
in 2015. Two-way investment also flourished, by  the end of 2015, the stock of China’s direct 
investment in Saudi Arabia had reached US$2.6 billio n, Saudi Arabia’s investment in China totalled 
US$1.5 billion. This remarkable development has well testified the complementarity of our bilateral 
economic relationship. 
4.66.  This January, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia. During the visit, both 
leaders agreed to further consolidate the bilateral cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, 
and in particular, welcomed the restart of the China-GCC FTA negotiations. In this regard, we look 
forward to working closely with Saudi Arabia to reach a comprehensive and high-quality agreement within this year. 
4.67.  While encouraged by the development of the bilateral economic and trade relationship, 
China believes that there is still room for improvement regarding some of Saudi Arabia’s trade 
policies, particularly on the transparency of the approving process on Halal certifications, and custom clearance procedures pertaining to rules of origins requirements.  
4.68.  China has raised some questions to Saudi Arabia and is grateful for the replies received, 
which we will study closely. 
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
4.69.  The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu enjoys a close 
economic relationship with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is currently our 12th largest trading partner in the world, with US$9 billion worth of two-wa y trade between us in 2015. And, as our main 
provider of crude oil, Saudi Arabia is our 6th largest source of imports. On the basis of this already 
close relationship, we look forward to further strengthening and expanding cooperation on trade 
and investment in the future to the mutual benefit of both our economies. 
4.70.  According to the Secretariat report, between 2010 and 2014 Saudi Arabia was one of the 
fastest growing economies among the G-20 Members,  with real GDP growth averaging 5.3% per 
year. We are also pleased to note the progress made since its last trade policy review in 2012 in implementing policies to liberalize trade and foreign investments.   
4.71.  Given the general turmoil in the global economy and the current instability in the price of 
oil, it is encouraging to see Saudi Arabia seeking to diversify its economy in its Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019), both geographically into new sectors, and vertically through processing and manufacturing sectors linked to the oil and gas industries.  
4.72.  We also welcome the initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia to facilitate trade and foreign 
investment, in areas such as customs procedures, the protection of intellectual property rights, and in its investment in new cities and infrastructure. In general, the Kingdom’s trade policy is 
quite clear and straightforward, and its average applied MFN rate is relatively low at 5.2%. 
However, we would urge Saudi Arabia to simplify its customs and licensing procedures still further by introducing perhaps a single window policy and possibly the Electronic Data Interchange 
system, which would allow import declarations to be submitted and processed online. Such 
measures will greatly facilitate trade and benefit the whole economy. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.73.  Saudi Arabia has played an active role in the DDA negotiations since its accession to the 
WTO in 2005 and as a fellow-member with us of th e Article XII Group, we look forward to further 
constructive engagement together in the negotiations that lie ahead. 
4.74.  With regard to the Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA), we welcome Saudi Arabia's 
submission of its Category A notification, and we look forward to the deposit of its instrument. In 
its WTO accession commitments, Saudi Arabia indicated its intention to start negotiations on its joining the Agreement on Government Procuremen t. We very much look forward to its early 
accession into the GPA family 
4.75.  Finally, I would just like to return to the subject of the recent plunge in oil prices, which has 
already led to Saudi Arabia running up a sizeable budget deficit due to the high level of public spending. According to the IMF Country Report last October, under the current policies, the 
country could be in danger of running out of financial assets in less than 5 years although it 
accumulated hundreds of thousands billions of do llars in the past. The need of developing 
sustainable non-oil revenue is therefore critical. We believe that the liberalization of its trade 
regime, with structural reforms and among others, that create a more friendly business 
environment, will help Saudi Arabia to reduce to diversify its economy away from fossil fuel industry and boost its economic competitiveness. 
EUROPEAN
 UNION 
4.76.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been one of the fastest growing economies among G20 
countries between 2010 and 2014 and, despite the drop in oil prices since middle of 2014, its economic growth is estimated at 3.6% in 2015. The Kingdom remains the world's top oil exporter 
and producer, accounting, in 2014, for about 50% of GDP (83% of exports and 90% of 
government revenue). 
4.77.  The EU acknowledges that Saudi Arabia has continued its efforts and commitments to 
economic diversification, including diversification of exports and increasing trade's contribution to 
GDP. The country has also taken important step s to improve the investment climate and to 
facilitate business cooperation. It is positive that these efforts will continue in the future, as 
demonstrated by the Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019). 
4.78.  However, despite these long-term commitments, the EU notes that the Saudi economy 
remains very dependent on crude oil products export s and that the presence of the public sector in 
the economy is still high. In the EU's view, this could have serious repercussions. 
4.79.  The EU also notes that delays in payments under existing contracts between EU companies 
and the Saudi Government are increasingly commo n. These delays have reduced the Kingdom's 
attractiveness as a destination for EU foreign investment.  
4.80.  Therefore, we would invite the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia to consider appropriate measures 
for further diversifying its economy, developing a strong private sector, and opening up to investment. These measures will further support ec onomic growth and employment, and also steer 
its economy towards sustainable energy sources.  
4.81.  A word on our bilateral relationship. The EU considers its trade relations with the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia to be very important. In 2015, the EU was the main trade partner of Saudi Arabia (1st in terms of imports and 4th in terms of exports), while Saudi Arabia was the EU's 12th largest 
partner for trade in goods.  
4.82.  Formal relations between the EU and the Ki ngdom take place mostly in the context of the 
1988 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cooperation Agreement. This Agreement contained a 
commitment from all parties to enter into negotiations for a free trade agreement. Negotiations 
have started and been suspended several times since 1990; lately since 2008. The EU remains committed to concluding the EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Both sides are missing 
out on opportunities that would be created, should the FTA materialize.  
4.83.  At a multilateral level, the EU encourages the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pursue its efforts 
for the quick implementation of the Trade Facili tation Agreement. In this context, the EU WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  acknowledges the notifications of its Category A commitments and is happy to learn that Saudi 
Arabia is pursuing its internal process toward rapid ratification of the Agreement, which represents a great step forward for international trade. 
4.84.  The EU would like now to raise a couple of concerns. 
4.85.  While the EU notes that a certain number of  initiatives have been undertaken to facilitate 
trade and foreign investment, in the EU's view furt her efforts would be necessary, in particular in 
the following areas:  
4.86.  First, the procedures for importing and exporting are still too complicated. We would 
therefore invite the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take the necessary steps to clarify its customs importation processes, in particular with reference to TBT and SPS requirements.  
4.87.  Second, the prevailing local ownership re quirements for investment and running businesses 
in Saudi Arabia continue to represent an obstacle for many. In particular, EU companies still 
encounter several impediments for obtaining a license by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority Board (SAGIA). The EU would therefore invite the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to streamline 
its procedures by moving towards a more expeditious and investor-friendly process. 
4.88.  Finally, the EU understands that the Saudisation of the workforce, introduced in 2011 with 
the Nitaqat programme, is important in order to integrate more citizens into economic activity, 
especially considering the growing youth unemployment rates in the population. However, it is 
important to ensure that quotas, rules and procedures for such Saudisation are predictable, transparent, and coherent and supported by a strong qualification and training scheme. 
4.89.  The EU is confident that this review will help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in examining its 
policies so as to ensure that they are most favourable for attaining its economic objectives, while 
respecting its international commitments in this forum. 
4 . 9 0 .   O n  b e h a l f  o f  t h e  E U ,  I  h o p e  t h i s  r e v i e w  w i l l  b e  v e r y  b e n e f i c i a l  a n d  s u c c e s s f u l  f o r  t h e  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
CANADA 4.91.  I would like to begin by acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s impressive economic transformation 
over the last several decades. As any visitor to  Saudi Arabia would remark, the rapid development 
of that country is a real success story. The count ry is now at a turning point, and we applaud 
Saudi Arabia’s continued efforts to divers ify its economy away from extractives.  
4.92.  Canada and Saudi Arabia maintain an ongoing dialogue on economic issues through the 
Canada-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission, which met very recently. Canada has a 
longstanding and robust trading relationship with  the Kingdom and we look forward to partnering 
with Saudi Arabia as it continues to pursue broad based economic development. 
4.93.  As Saudi Arabia pursues its economic goals we hope that it continues to look to the WTO as 
a source of guidance. An increasingly diversified economy is one that will rely evermore on trade 
with the rest of the world. Adherence to WTO rules and regulations will ensure that this trade flows 
smoothly and at maximum benefit to Saudi Arabia and its trading partners. We commend Saudi 
Arabia on keeping tariffs on most products low, and generally providing a welcoming environment for foreign investment. Canada also notes Saudi Arab ia’s continued work in other areas such as tax 
collection, which make the Kingdom an increasingly attractive market. 
4.94.  However, we note with concern the relative  complexity of import and export procedures. We 
note that, according to the World Bank’s annual report on the ease of doing business, Saudi Arabia ranks 150th out of 189 economies for trading across frontiers. The report notes that complying 
with regulations to export to Saudi Arabia takes considerably longer than other countries in the 
region. This continues to be of concern to Canadian businesses, and Canada encourages Saudi Arabia to ratify and implement the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) to help address 
these issues.  WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.95.  Canada welcomes the interest expressed by Saudi Arabia towards its eventual accession to 
the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and stands ready to assist the Kingdom as it conducts its study on the benefits of GPA member ship. We are pleased to note that Saudi Arabia 
has undertaken government procurement commitments similar to those found in the GPA as part 
of the free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and EFTA countries. Canada is 
looking forward to working with Saudi Arabia as it fulfills its commitment to initiate negotiations for membership in the GPA as called for in its WTO accession protocol. 
4.96.  Saudi Arabia has pursued an open trade policy since it joined the WTO in 2005. We 
encourage it to continue in this direction through the progressive steps I have highlighted today related to trade facilitation and government procurement. 
REPÚBLICA
 DOMINICANA 
4.97.  El primer elemento que se destaca al leer el informe de la Secretaría, y es la característica 
principal de la economía del Reino de Arabia Saudita, es la alta dependencia de la misma, de los ingresos generados por la industria del petr óleo. Debido a esto, en 2014 esta industria 
representaba casi el 50% del PIB, el 83% de las exportaciones y el 90% de los ingresos públicos. 
Durante los años 2010-2014, en los que se registraron altos precios del petróleo, la Arabia Saudita se situó entre las economías del G-20 de más rápido crecimiento económico y su PIB per cápita 
aumentó a más de 24.000 dólares EE.UU. Durante la mayor parte de este período, los elevados 
ingresos procedentes del petróleo se tradujeron en  superávits fiscales, la deuda pública total se 
redujo al 1,6% del PIB y las reservas de divisa s, cifradas en 732.000 millones de dólares EE.UU., 
eran casi equivalentes al PIB o a tres años de importaciones. También se registraron amplios 
superávits de la balanza del comercio de mercancías y de la balanza por cuenta corriente.  
4.98.  A partir del 2014, cuando comienzan a bajar los precios del petróleo, entonces se comienza 
a ver un proceso inverso, en el que la caída del valor de las exportaciones hizo que el superávit de 
la cuenta corriente disminuyera un 43% (respecto de 2013) para situarse en 77.000 millones de 
dólares EE.UU., y que dicha cuenta pasara a ser deficitaria en el primer trimestre de 2015; además, para 2015 se preveía un déficit fiscal cercano al 20% del PIB. 
4.99.  A los fines de revertir esta dependencia, en el informe del Gobierno, se informa que el 
Décimo Plan de Desarrollo, que abarca el período 2015-2019, se refleja el objetivo del Reino de asegurar el desarrollo económico sostenible y mejorar los resultados y la competitividad de su economía desarrollando la estructura del sector público y acelerando el ritmo de transformación 
del país en una economía basada en el conocimien to. Entre los principales objetivos de este Plan 
de Desarrollo están: la diversificación económica, construcción de una estructura económica moderna, basada en una gran variedad de recursos económicos y caracterizada por un alto grado 
de integración interna entre los diversos sectores y actividades; así como la transformación en una 
economía basada en el conocimiento para 2030, con recursos diversificados, impulsada por un capital humano productivo y un sector privado activo; al mismo tiempo, el plan contempla el 
desarrollo de los recursos humanos nacionales y aborda las cuestiones y dificultades que se 
plantean en el mercado laboral del país para aumentar la participación de los nacionales saudíes, principalmente las mujeres, en la actividad económica. Exhortamos al Reino de Arabia Saudita a continuar por este camino, a los fines de lograr una verdadera diversificación y transformación de 
su economía, reduciendo así la alta dependencia de la misma de la industria petrolera, y 
contribuyendo a una modernización del mercado laboral.  
4.100.  Notamos con interés que también se han tomado varias medidas para mejorar el clima de 
inversión, como la de retirar los sectores de la minería, los productos petroquímicos, el gas y las 
comunicaciones de la lista de sectores en los que no se permite la inversión extranjera. También, en agosto de 2015, la Dirección General de Inversiones de la Arabia Saudita (SAGIA) publicó un 
manual en el que se establecen los requisitos para la obtención de licencias de inversión y los 
derechos de licencia correspondientes, así como los servicios disponibles para las diferentes categorías de inversores. Felicitamos al Reino de Arabia Saudita por estos avances.  
4.101.  Vemos con satisfacción que la política comercial es bastante sencilla y previsible con 
aranceles muy bajos, que en general no pasan del 5%. Sin embargo, el informe de la Secretaría 
destaca que los procedimientos de importación y exportación son complicados. A los fines de mejorar estos procedimientos, vemos asimismo, co mo muy positivo que se  han adoptado varias WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  medidas para simplificar el cumplimiento de los procedimientos aduaneros, incluido un sistema de 
intercambio electrónico de datos que posibilita la presentación y tramitación electrónica de las declaraciones de importación; y el procedimiento de verificación de documentos previo a la llegada de las mercancías (Sistema de despacho directo), que se aplica a determinados productos. Otras 
medidas están en fase de estudio o se aplican con carácter experimental, como la ventanilla única 
para los procedimientos aduaneros que se está utilizando en la Oficina de Aduanas del Puerto Islámico de Jeddah. También se han hecho mejoras en la protección de los derechos de propiedad 
intelectual.  
4.102.  Por último hemos presentado preguntas al Reino de Arabia Saudita, relativas al régimen de 
inversiones, transparencia en compras del sector pública, la aplicación de medidas sanitaras y fitosanitarias, las disposiciones aplicables al sector turismo, entre otros; cuyas respuestas 
esperamos con interés. 
UNITED
 STATES 
4.103.  Saudi Arabia’s economy currently faces many challenges, and the United States is proud to 
support Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and reform efforts to overcome them. The United States 
and Saudi Arabia enjoy a broad, deep and robust friendship and partnership, with cooperation spanning a range of the economic and security is sues confronting the Middle East region and the 
world. 
4.104.  I am pleased to note that trade between the United States and Saudi Arabia has steadily 
increased since 2005, with bilateral two-way goods trade between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia reaching US$42 billion in 2015, and the stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia was 
US$10.1 billion in 2014. 
4.105.  The United States continues to support Saudi Arabia’s economic reforms and efforts to 
diversify its economy away from reliance on trade in traditional commodities, and our 
governments continue to explore various means of further enhancing our trade relations. Our 
governments also regularly consult with each other on issues of mutual importance and recognize the value of continued cooperation on a range of issues. We appreciate our ongoing cooperation 
with Saudi Arabia in all fora, including in the WTO. 
4.106.  While Saudi Arabia has reason to be pleased with the results of its economic reform efforts 
to date, some concerns remain, and the written questions that the United States submitted in the context of this TPR address some of those concerns. Many of the questions we pose today reflect 
our desire to encourage Saudi Arabia to move forward expeditiously on important WTO initiatives 
and commitments, including formally  ratifying and accepting the Trade Facilitation Agreement. We 
also urge Saudi Arabia and its partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council to complete the 
transparency review of its customs union, as provided for under WTO rules. 
4.107.  In addition, it is important that Saudi Arabia fulfill its commitment to begin accession 
negotiations for to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, in accordance with Saudi 
Arabia’s 2005 Working Party Report. We strongly urge Saudi Arabia to begin its GPA accession by 
the end of April of this year and the United States stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia on its GPA accession. We also strongly encourage Saudi Arabia to join the recently concluded expansion of the Information Technology Agreement. These actions would be a good way for Saudi Arabia to 
work toward boosting its participation in the multilateral trading system, and we will be interested 
to hear the government’s plans in this regard. 
4.108.  Also related to government procurement, we understand that Saudi Arabia has recently 
instituted a change in policy that requires offsets in the form of domestic investment of 40% of the 
contract value for any awards over 400 million Saudi riyals. However, as of yet, no information seems to have been made public about how the offset program will be operationalized. We look 
forward to hearing from Saudi Arabia about the details of this program, including how investment 
proposals will be reviewed and approved, and whether there are any industries or sectors that are not covered by this policy. 
4.109.  The United States would also like to see Saudi Arabia continue to improve the adequacy 
and enforcement of IPR protection, including through the imposition of penalties that will deter WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  copyright violations, action to increase the use of legal software within the government and 
adequate protection for patented pharmaceutical products. 
4.110.  The United States urges Saudi Arabia to continue developing and expanding its efforts to 
ensure that technical regulations and standards are notified to WTO Members in draft form with 
enough advance notice that stakeholders have sufficient time to review and comment and that 
Saudi authorities can take those comments into account before finalizing the regulation or standard. The United States has found that consultation with, and involvement by, all interested 
parties in the regulatory process leads to rules and regulations that better meet their objectives 
while minimizing trade distorting effects. U.S. fi rms are committed to ensuring that their products 
meet relevant Saudi – as well as those of the Gulf Cooperation Council – technical regulations in order to access the Saudi market. These businesses would like to avoid past instances where they 
were unaware of technical regulations in advance of implementation, leaving them with little or no 
time to modify their manufacturing processes. In addition, as the GCC reduces trade barriers, harmonizes regulations and increases transparency, we encourage Saudi Arabia to work with its 
GCC colleagues to accelerate that important work  in line, of course, with its WTO obligations. 
4.111.  In closing, I would like to emphasize that Saudi Arabia is a valued partner of the United 
States, and we congratulate Saudi Arabia for its efforts to develop a more open trade and 
investment regime. We believe that its continued adherence to the rules and principles of the WTO 
will bring Saudi Arabia a brighter future. We hope  that this discussion today will encourage Saudi 
Arabia’s continuation of those policies and we look forward to continuing our work with Saudi Arabia to achieve those goals. 
CHILE 
4.112.  El pasado mes de noviembre de 2015, Chile participó al más alto nivel, con la presencia de 
S.E. la Presidenta de la República y el Ministerio de energía, en la IV Cumbre de Países árabes y de 
Sudamérica, que tuvo lugar en la capital saudí. Nuestro embajador concurrente ha presentado 
cartas credenciales en enero de este año, listos para continuar avanzando en nuestra relación bilateral. 
4.113.  En cuanto al intercambio comercial, durante el año 2015, éste tuvo un alza del 10% 
respecto al año 2014, aunque sigue habiendo un amplio espacio de crecimiento. El número de empresas chilenas exportadoras al mercado saudí tuvo un crecimiento del 10% en el mismo período, lo que es un dato interesante a tener en cuenta. En el año 2015, las importaciones desde 
el territorio saudí se concentraron en "industria metálica básica" mientras que nuestras 
exportaciones fueron principalmente en los subsectores "agropecuario y frutícola" y "forestal y muebles de madera". 
4.114.  Si vemos nuestra relación comercial a lo largo de la historia reciente, las exportaciones de 
Chile a Arabia Saudita han tenido un crecimiento promedio anual del 5% en términos de valor, en el período comprendido entre los años 2006 y 2015. Lo anterior es positivo, pero sin duda 
esperamos poder continuar expandiendo la relación comercial entre el Reino de Arabia Saudita y 
Chile. 
4.115.  Para este ejercicio, hemos formulado varias consultas en áreas de política de competencia, 
normas técnicas y medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, que esperamos sean respondidas para su 
análisis por nuestros equipos de Santiago. 
4.116.  Con respecto al informe presentado, observamos con gran interés que la Arabia Saudita 
esté haciendo esfuerzos para diversificar su economía con el objeto de reducir la dependencia del 
petróleo, incorporando además iniciativas para facilitar el comercio y la inversión extranjera. Así, 
el informe de la Secretaría destaca un aumento considerable de la contribución del sector de la construcción a la economía. 
4.117.  Celebramos los avances en su política sobre los derechos de propiedad intelectual, como la 
reciente adhesión al Tratado de Cooperación en materia de patentes, que tiene por objeto facilitar la internacionalización de las innovaciones en el mundo, facilitando los intercambios comerciales. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.118.  Nos pareció particularmente interesante en su política agropecuaria, los programas para 
una utilización más eficiente de los recursos, en particular el agua, recurso esencial para esta industria y la vida. El mismo modo, celebramos las iniciativas para incrementar el porcentaje de población activa femenina en la economía. 
4.119.  La Arabia Saudita está enfrentando los desafíos de los cambios en la economía tomando 
medidas que permitan adaptarse dichos cambios, introduciendo distintas formas para facilitar y 
dinamizar su comercio, algunas de las cuales hemos destacado. 
4.120.  Estamos seguros que la Arabia Saudita seguirá contribuyendo al avance de sus políticas 
comerciales y al avance de los trabajos en esta casa. 
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
4.121.  Saudi Arabia became the fourth largest trading partner of Korea in 2014. As the Korea’s 
largest petroleum supplier, Saudi Arabia has played a key role in Korea’s economic growth. Korea 
has also contributed to the economic development of Saudi Arabia by participating in building infrastructure such as highways, harbours and plants. 
4.122.  Although bilateral trade decreased in 2015 due to the decline of oil prices, I believe that 
both countries will continue to strengthen the comprehensive economic partnership based on close economic relations developed so far. 
Korea’s comment on the trade policies of Saudi Arabia 
4.123.  Turning to the report on the trade policies  of Saudi Arabia, it is noted that Saudi Arabia 
continues to rely on its oil production despite its seeking to diversify its economy. The current macroeconomic indicators of Saudi Arabia also show how its economy and fiscal situation are 
vulnerable to the price of oil.  
4.124.  In this regard, Korea would like to encourage Saudi Arabia to continue its effort to diversify 
its economy geographically, vertically in sectors linked to oil, and into new industry sectors under 
its 10th Development Plan.  
4.125.  Korea, as a close economic partner, would li ke to join Saudi Arabia in this effort. I believe 
that both countries can expand economic cooperation into promising sectors such as nuclear and 
renewable energy, and the service industry  including health and medical care.  
Korea’s concern on the trade policies of Saudi Arabia 4.126.  I would like to take this opportunity to express a concern on the trade measures of 
Saudi Arabia.  
4.127.  In last December, the GCC Secretariat in Saudi Arabia decided to initiate anti-dumping 
investigations on five Korean companies exporting automobile batteries. Although the investigations are currently underway, we hope Saudi Arabia conducts its investigation in careful 
consideration of the following facts.  
4.128.  First, there is no cause-and-effect relationship between the import of Korean products and 
actual damages to domestic manufacturers in Saudi Arabia. Second, battery manufacturers in 
Saudi Arabia do not have sufficient production capacity to meet the domestic demand, and 
therefore the imposition of countervailing duties is likely to cause a contraction of the battery 
market and infringe on consumers' rights.  
Closing remarks 
4.129.  It is our hope that Saudi Arabia will cont inue to constructively participate in strengthening 
the WTO multilateral trading system. In this context, we encourage Saudi Arabia to facilitate its domestic procedure for the acceptance of the Trad e Facilitation Agreement. We also hope that 
favorable consideration could be given to Saudi Arabia for joining GPA and ITA expansion. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  NEW  ZEALAND 
4.130.  New Zealand has a longstanding trading re lationship with the Kingdom, underpinned by 
growing political and economic linkages and architecture. New Zealand is a strong supporter of the WTO and believes that the Trade Policy Review process is a valuable mechanism through which 
countries can share and exchange views on best practice in trade policy, while considering and 
reflecting on the systemic implications – both positive and negative – of particular policy approaches. 
4.131.  It is against this background that we have reflected on the Secretariat’s report. A key 
feature of New Zealand’s trade and economic relationship with Saudi Arabia is the yet to be finalized Free Trade Agreement with  the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is a core 
Participant. Once finalized, the Free Trade Agreement will both greatly ease trade restrictions and 
boost bilateral trade flows. This Agreement will underpin wider bilateral cooperation in food 
security, Halal certification, and across a range of sectors including investment, education, agriculture, construction and high-tech services. 
4.132.  Export education is an important fo undation for New Zealand’s relationship with 
Saudi Arabia. We welcome thousands of Saudi st udents annually to New Zealand universities, 
schools and training establishments. 
4.133.  The Secretariat’s review underlines Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to continue to 
work with and through the WTO to achieve its economic goals. 
4.134.  We recognize that at present, Saudi Arabia is facing a number of economic and political 
challenges in the region. In this regard, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated regional leadership and 
continues to be an influential economic power within the region as well as more broadly, including 
within the G20. 
4.135.  A heavy reliance on petroleum exports, and falling oil revenues, has underpinned the need 
for economic reforms and diversification. We congratulate the Kingdom on the wide range of 
initiatives undertaken in recent years to diversify its economy and introduce social and economic reforms under the leadership of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal 
Highness Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This is an important potential watershed in 
the economy’s development.  
4.136.  We applaud the fact that Saudi Arabia has responded to the economic challenges it faces 
by pressing for greater economic liberalisation, a more open economy, and privatization, in order 
to drive greater efficiencies. We welcome in particular Saudi Arabia’s privatization of airports and 
navigations a positive initial step towards freeing up the air transport market. We encourage further steps in this regard. 
4.137.  Coupled with positive environmental policies including a focus on renewable energy, 
reducing the reliance of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector on precious and increasingly scarce water resources, and a reduction in fuel subsidies, the changes Saudi Arabia is introducing promise 
a more sustainable – and we hope ultimately wealthier and fairer – domestic economy. We would 
encourage Saudi Arabia to continue this positive trend, including additional measures to further reduce fossil fuel subsidies in the Kingdom, and we would encourage Saudi Arabia to actively consider using the G20 peer review process on fossil fuel subsidies to highlight both its reforms to 
date and to inform further progress in this regard. We also welcome Saudi Arabia’s continuing 
support for the G20’s agenda and commitments to date on this important topic. 
4.138.  The range of questions New Zealand has posed as part of the Trade Policy Review reflect 
New Zealand’s interest in an open and transparent tax system, development of high-return and 
sustainable agricultural practices, greater relianc e on renewable energy, and ensuring sustainable 
practices in developing natural resources, part icularly fisheries. These are all areas where 
Saudi Arabia has focused reforms in recent years and we look forward to hearing more about how 
Saudi Arabia is dealing with these areas and continued intensive progress in this regard. 
4.139.  We hope that Saudi Arabia will find this review to be useful in its reform efforts and its 
greater engagement with the international tradin g system through the WTO. We look forward to WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  learning more about Saudi Arabia’s reforms and the mechanisms it is putting in place to diversify 
its economy, and also to working with Saudi Arabia in this and other fora, including our negotiations here at the WTO. 
KENYA 
4.140.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key business and commercial trade partner of Kenya. 
The relationship between the two countries which was heightened during early 19th Century continues to persist to date. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Kenya 37 years 
ago, bilateral relations between the two countries have consistently developed and strengthened.  
4.141.  There have been exchanges of visits by hi gh level dignitaries from both sides. Our former 
Head of State, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, visited Saudi Arabia in March 2007 when he attended the 19th Conference of the Arab League Summit in Riyadh. This was followed by the recent visit by 
high level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed. 
During the visit bilateral discussions were held in a number of areas including ways of enhancing coordination and cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual concern. 
4.142.  The Saudi Fund for Development has been the main channel through which Saudi Arabia’s 
bilateral aid has been delivered to Kenya. A num ber of projects in Kenya have benefited from 
Saudi Fund for Development particularly in priority sectors such as infrastructure, water, health, 
and education  
4.143.  Trade between the two countries has steadily been growing overtime. In 2014 
Saudi Arabia was the 8th largest source of Kenya’s imports whose valued stood at KES 28 billion. The main imports from Saudi Arabia included crude oil and petroleum products. Exports from 
Kenya to Saudi Arabia have also continued to grow both in volume and value and they include 
meat products, dairy products, coffee, tea and fruits. 
4.144.  New links have been emerging, such as immigration of Kenyans to the Middle East in 
search of both formal and informal job opport unities. It is estimated that about 20,000 Kenyans 
are living and working in Saudi Arabia. 
4.145.  We note from the reports for the review that trade continues to play an important role 
towards economic growth and development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, reliance on 
exports of oil continue to poses challenges to sustained growth mainly due to the current decline in international oil prices and instability in the region.  
4.146.  We encourage the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sustain its efforts in liberalizing trade and 
improving investment climate. We are glad to note that several steps have been taken to improve 
investment climate in a number of sectors where foreign investment was not required. We consider such steps being important in diversifying  and sustaining the growth of the economy. We 
also welcome steps that have been undertaken to facilitate trade and which include simplification 
of customs procedures and efforts towards implementing single window for customs procedures. We are also looking for expeditious conclusion of th e process of ratification of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. 
4.147.  Regional integration continues to be an important trade policy instrument for Saudi Arabia. 
We share the views of Saudi Arabia that regional  trade agreements can complement and reinforce 
the multilateral trading system and help deepen the integration of its economy into global 
marketplace. 
4.148.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been a strong supporter of the WTO multilateral trading 
system as demonstrated by the active participatio n in the work of the WTO by the delegation of 
Saudi Arabia here in Geneva led by Ambassador Abdolazeez Al-Otaibi and his team at the Mission. 
Kenya appreciates the support and close collaboration we have had from the delegation of Saudi Arabia particularly on issues of mutual interest in the WTO. 
4.149.  Finally, my delegation has submitted questi ons to the delegation of Saudi Arabia and look 
forward for responses. We wish the delegation of Saudi Arabia a successful trade policy review. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  ECUADOR 
4.150.  Ecuador participa con gran interés en este Examen de políticas comerciales, pues las 
relaciones bilaterales han ido fortaleciéndose a través de visitas de altas autoridades como la que efectuó al Ecuador el Subsecretario de Relaciones Económicas del Ministerio de Relaciones 
Exteriores de Arabia Saudita hace menos de un año para acordar medidas que faciliten el 
comercio, la cooperación técnica, las inversiones y los intercambios culturales entre los dos países para aprovechar las respectivas fortalezas y potencialidades. Esto es parte de la política del 
Gobierno ecuatoriano de diversificar sus relaciones internacionales mediante la interacción con 
otros actores importantes de la escena mundial. 
4.151.  Otro mecanismo que ha permitido afianzar las relaciones son las Cumbres de Jefes de 
Estado y de Gobierno de América del Sur y Países Árabes (ASPA), iniciativas que buscan acercar 
posiciones que se reflejan en la suscripción de acuerdos regionales de mutuo beneficio. 
Precisamente en el marco de la IV Cumbre efectu ada en Ryad en noviembre pasado, el Presidente 
de Ecuador y el Rey de Arabia Saudita establecieron las bases para la apertura de las respectivas 
Embajadas en los dos países. 
4.152.  En cuanto se refiere al informe presentado por la Secretaría, tomamos nota que la 
economía de Arabia Saudita, que sigue dependiendo de la producción de petróleo, se está viendo 
afectada por el final de un período de precios el evados en 2014, aunque el bajo nivel de su deuda 
pública y el alto nivel de reservas de aproximadamente 267.000 millones de barriles, le permiten contar con un cierto margen fiscal.  
4.153.  Asimismo, registramos varias dificultades que han afectado a la economía de 
Arabia Saudita señalados en el informe de la Secretaría que, si bien cuenta con una política 
comercial sencilla y los aranceles para la mayoría de productos son bajos, los procedimientos para la importación y exportación son complejos. Para hacer frente a esta situación, Ecuador reconoce 
la adopción de varias medidas por parte del Gobierno saudita tendientes a simplificar el 
cumplimiento de los procedimientos aduaneros, incluido un sistema de intercambio electrónico de datos que posibilite la presentación y tramitación de las declaraciones de importación y hace votos 
porque las medidas que se encuentran al momento en estudio o se aplican con carácter 
experimental, como es el caso de la ventanilla única para los procedimientos aduaneros, tengan éxito para su pronta ejecución. 
4.154.  Por otro lado, es importante destacar como hechos positivos la aplicación del Décimo Plan 
de Desarrollo en el que el Gobierno tiene como propósito implementar una diversificación 
geográfica, sectorial y vertical de la economía a través de actividades de transformación y fabricación en sectores relacionados con la industria del petróleo y gas.  
4.155.  Ecuador también  reconoce la contribución que ha representado el sector de la 
construcción a la economía de ese país, ya que ha aumentado de manera considerable en los últimos años debido al emprendimiento de proyectos tanto públicos como privados.  
4.156.  De otra parte, como logros obtenidos por Arabia Saudita mencionados en el informe de la 
Secretaría constan los avances que ha producido la aplicación de la Ley de Competencia modificada en 2014, lo que ha generado  modifica ciones en las sanciones. Así los infractores deben 
devolver los beneficios obtenidos como consecuencia de la infracción. 
4.157.  Para concluir, deseamos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación del Reino de 
Arabia Saudita por sus respuestas a las preguntas que hemos planteado sobre algunos aspectos concretos de su política comercial, lo que proveerá información importante para el fortalecimiento 
de las relaciones bilaterales y multilaterales en materia de comercio exterior. 
THAILAND 4.158.  Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN’s statement previously delivered by 
Ambassador Ms. Yee Woan Tan of Singapore.   
4.159.  Saudi Arabia and Thailand have a long-standing trade relation. During the past year, 
Saudi Arabia ranked Thailand’s 16th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade value stood at WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  US$7.8 billion. Saudi Arabia ranked as our 21st export destination and 11th import source. 
Although our bilateral trade has declined in recent years due to the slow-down of the global economy, we hope that our strong trade relation will help enhance these statistical numbers in the near future.  
4.160.  We congratulate Saudi Arabia’s healthy economic growth during the 2011–2014 period, 
averaging 3.87% per year. We are pleased with Saudi Arabia for its transparent and simple tariffs system and its intention to enhance its customs procedures through the introduction of the 
Electronic Data Interchange system, and the pre-a rrival document verification procedure, and the 
implementation of pilot project for the single window for customs procedures.  
4.161.  In this review, Thailand submitted a number of questions to Saudi Arabia, covering the 
policies and measures of our interests regarding Investment policies, competition policy, 
immigration policy, and investment and movement of natural persons in the construction sector. 
We look forward to Saudi Arabia’s  responses, for which we will st udy carefully with great interest. 
4.162.  In conclusion, Thailand would like to express its appreciation to the Saudi Arabian 
delegation for today’s presentation. We are thankful for the cooperation with Saudi Arabia in every 
level, including that between our Geneva-based delegations. We wish Saudi Arabia every success in this trade policy review. 
ARGENTINA 
4.163.  We highlight the strong economic growth of  Saudi Arabia with a real GDP growth averaged 
5.3% annually between 2010 and 2014.  As this was primarily due to the increase of oil prices and 
production, it is true that there are immediate economic risks of sustained lower oil prices, and the 
instability in the region leading to lower consumption and higher unemployment. 
4.164.  This is why we recognize Saudi Arabia's efforts to enhance economic diversification, 
reflected, for example, with its Tenth Development Plan (2015-19). We hope that this strategy 
focused on a vertical, horizontal and spatial diversification helps to increase employment in Saudi 
Arabia. 
4.165.  It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia's effo rts to increase employment of its nationals and 
females are also pursued through other programmes such as the Nitaqat programme. As 
mentioned in the Secretariat Report
8, it is noted that the so-called "Saudization" of the economy 
established by the Nitaqat programme which se ts quotas for Saudi national employees in 
percentages arranged by sectors, in some cases has had an impact on the costs for foreign 
companies. Therefore, we would appreciate if  Saudi Arabia could detail the degree of 
implementation of Nitaqat, its impact on employme nt of Saudis and, if any, conclusions about its 
possible revision against the higher costs imposed on foreign companies. 
4.166.  The impact on foreign investment of programmes such as the Nitaqat has an important 
role when diversifying an economy that has been traditionally focused on oil revenues. This is very important for Saudi Arabia because, as mentioned by the Secretariat report
9, if oil prices do not 
recover in the medium-term, the Government may be forced to establish a fiscal consolidation plan 
to be able to sustain its growth objectives. In this respect, Argentina would appreciate if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could inform Members if there is already a plan of fiscal consolidation and specify what would be the objectives and sectors concerned. 
4.167.  We welcome other efforts made by Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy and, as it was 
mentioned by the Secretariat in its report
10, the Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019) aims to 
develop and enhance the role of non-hydrocarbon sectors. We kindly request the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia to inform Members the specific measures included in the new Development Plan to diversify 
the economy. 
                                               
8 Paragraphs 3 and 18 of the Summary of document WT/TPR/S/333 and paragraph 1.7 of the same 
document. 
9 Paragraph 1.11 of document WT/TPR/S/333. 
10 Paragraphs 2.13 and 2.14 of document WT/TPR/S/333. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.168.  Members were also informed11 that the Tenth Development Plan highlights the need to 
develop a regulatory framework to channel private sector investment in line with development priorities. In this sense, it would be appreciated if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could detail what 
the regulatory framework to be implemented und er the Tenth Development Plan, consists of. 
4.169.  Through these important exercises of trade policy reviews, we have been able to learn the 
importance of foreign investment in the growth of economies. This is why we have noticed with consideration what the Secretariat mentioned
12 about Saudi Arabia still maintaining a negative list 
for foreign investments, which is periodically revised and is subject to approval by the Economic 
and Development Affairs Council. It is also noted that since the last review, the negative list has been amended and some sectors have been removed. Thus, we would appreciate if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could explain the criteria by which the sectors in which foreign investment is 
prohibited are reviewed. 
4.170.  The Secretariat report
13 refers to the registration of food importers with the SFDA and to 
an evaluation that the establishments that wish to supply meat and poultry meat to Saudi Arabia 
must go through. Argentina would appreciate if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could detail the 
procedures required to import these products. And, in particular, if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could explain what establishm ent evaluations consist of. 
4.171.  We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
mentioned in its report
14 that one of the six key commitments of the Kingdom in its growth 
strategy is to "shift to greater private sector funding and management of investment through PPS". Likewise, the Secretariat report
15 also mentions "at least 30% of the value of the contract 
must be sub-contracted to wholly Saudi-owned companies". It is noteworthy to mention that the 
issue of public private partnerships was the main topic discussed during the Jeddah Economic Forum that took place between 1 and 3 March 2016. In this sense, we would appreciate if the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could explain the measures taken by the authorities aimed at enabling all 
foreign companies to set up their offices in the Kingdom without need for a local partner as was the case until 2015 when it was announced that at least U.S. companies will be exempted from the 
requirement of a Saudi business partner. 
4.172.  Argentina welcomes the opening of the stock exchange, called Tadawul, for foreign 
investment, as it was mentioned by Saudi Arabia
16 and the Secretariat17 in their reports. In this 
context, we would appreciate if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could explain (as regards the 
measures in force since 15 June 2015) if it has produced positive effects on investment and 
transparency, or if it is still in a stage of preliminary assessment? 
4.173.  Finally, the Argentinean Republic notes with great interest Saudi economic and trade 
development. In this respect, we value any init iative undertaken to facilitate trade, such as 
customs procedures measures. 
4.174.  The Argentinean Republic wishes to continue working together with the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia in search of strengthening our bilateral ti es, and we offer our best efforts to enhance our 
relations in the areas of agriculture, science and technology, and health. 
MALAYSIA 4.175.  Malaysia is pleased to participate in this second Trade Policy Review of the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia and associates ourselves with the st atement delivered earlier by Singapore on behalf 
of ASEAN.  
4.176.  Malaysia and Saudi Arabia enjoy a close bilateral economic relation through the years. Our 
bilateral trade for the last five years grew at an average of over 6.3%. The trend however was 
                                               
11 Paragraph 2.17 of document WT/TPR/S/333. 
12 Paragraph 2.37 of document WT/TPR/S/333. 
13 Paragraphs 3.73 and 3.74 of document WT/TPR/S/333. 
14 Paragraph 6.2 of document WT/TPR/G/333. 
15 Paragraph 3.125 of document WT/TPR/S/333. 
16 Paragraph 4.56 of document WT/TPR/G/333. 
17 Paragraphs 4.6, 4.96 and 4.101 of document WT/TPR/S/333. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  interrupted last year as our bilateral trade contracted by almost 16% due to the decline in trade of 
some major products including petroleum oil. We nevertheless remain committed to improve and diversify trade and investment between the two countries. 
4.177.  In terms of investment, more than 15 projects with Saudi Arabia’s participation had been 
implemented in Malaysia with a total investment of US$1.7 billion. It is also worth noting that 
some prominent companies like Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Kayan Petrochemical have established global trading headquarters in Malaysia, providing some 3000 job opportunities. Similarly, 
Malaysian companies are also actively investing in Saudi Arabia, particularly in chemical, food 
manufacturing as well as electronics and electrical sectors.  
4.178.  At the multilateral front, Malaysia appreciates Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to a rules-
based and transparent trading system. It is commendable that despite the challenges faced by the 
country as a recently acceded Member, Saudi Arabia remains fully committed in implementing her 
wide-ranging WTO commitments. Malaysia takes this opportunity to thank H.E. Ambassador Dr Abdolazeez Al Otaibi for his continued dedication to the task and we look forward to working 
closely with Saudi Arabia to achieve concrete deliverables ahead of the Ministerial Conference next 
year, in particular in areas of interest to developing countries. We look forward to the ratification of the Trade facilitation Agreement soon by Saudi Arabia.  
4.179.  The economic performance of Saudi Arabia since joining the WTO in 2005 has been 
impressive and we hope that it will continue on a path of sustained economic growth. We wish Saudi Arabia success in her goals of achieving higher growth rates, enhanced productivity and competitiveness, improving the standard of living of her people, developing human resources, 
diversifying its economic base and meeting the challenges of infrastructure development, 
education and health services.  
4.180.  Malaysia has submitted a series of questi ons in writing and we look forward to receiving 
the response. I wish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a productive and successful second Trade Policy 
Review. 
BRAZIL 
4.181.  It is a matter of particular satisfaction for Brazil to participate in the second Trade Policy 
Review of Saudi Arabia. 
4.182.  I am pleased to note that since its Accession to the WTO in 2005, Saudi Arabia has been 
strongly committed to the Multilateral Trading System, as well as to promoting the diversification 
of its economy. Such commitments are even more relevant in the current scenario, in which the 
lower prices of strategic commodities pose a challenge to many developing countries whose economies rely on the exports of those products.  
4.183.  In this regard, Brazil highlights Saudi Arabia’s Tenth Development Plan, which aims not 
only at enhancing the diversification of economic activity, but also to promote the transition towards a knowledge-based economy by attracting investment, improving labor productivity and 
developing small and medium enterprises, only to mention some of its main objectives. The Saudi 
Government has recently announced a comprehensive privatization program of airports, ports, roads and railroads and could benefit from the experience and information sharing with Brazil because we have been conducting similar program since the 1990s. Brazil also understands that 
measures undertaken by the Saudi government in order to increase female participation in the 
workforce, as mentioned in the Secretariat report, are to be praised and play an important role in 
its strategy to guarantee employment to Saudi nationals under the Nitaqat programme.  
4.184.  In November last year, the Brazilian Minister  of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, paid a visit to 
Riyadh in order to participate in the IV Arab-South American Countries Summit. On that occasion, Minister Vieira said that countries of both regions should bear in mind the objective of liberalizing 
international trade within the WTO. He also recalled that Arab and South American countries had 
decided in 2005 to work together in order to promote a fairer and more balanced international trading system as well as to promote democratization of international organizations so as to enhance the voice of developing countries. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.185.  Turning now to the bilateral front, it is worth mentioning that Brazil is the 10th largest 
exporter to Saudi Arabia, and the 8th largest de stination of exports from Saudi Arabia. On the 
other hand, it is important to note that our bilateral trade reflects both economies’ over-dependence on commodities. From 2005 to 2011, our trade increased 158%, and reached 
US$6.57 billion. Since then, however, it has ex perienced a continued decline, which can be 
attributed in part to the falling prices of th e main export products of both countries.  
4.186.  Last year, bilateral trade reached US$4.66 billion, a non-negligible value, but certainly far 
beyond its peak and potential. If prices of crude oil, which is Brazil’s main import from Saudi 
Arabia, fell more than 50% in the last five years, the situation of some of the main Brazilian products exported to the Saudi market such as poultry, iron ore, sugar corn/maize and soya is no different. The impact of the volatility of commodity prices on our trade only confirms that we need 
to diversify it.  
4.187.  In the case of Brazilian exports to Saudi Arabia, we understand that there is room for an 
increase in the short-term of the share of manufac tured goods. But it is important that companies 
of both countries take advantage of this context in order to pursue long-term partnerships. This is 
certainly the case of bilateral investments between Brazil and Saudi Arabia. At this point in time, we have identified 16 Saudi groups investing in Brazil and 5 Brazilian companies investing in Saudi 
Arabia in all fields of economic activity, from agriculture to IT, from chemicals to construction of 
low cost housing. As a result, the Brazilian Government has identified Saudi Arabia as a priority partner and last December proposed the negotiation of an Agreement on Cooperation and Facilitation of Investments which is now under evaluation of Saudi Arabian General Investment 
Authority (SAGIA). 
4.188.  I would also like to express our apprecia tion to the Saudi government for its hospitality 
during the visit of our Minister of Agriculture, Ká tia Abreu, who also visited Riyadh last November. 
It was a very important opportunity to reiterate to the Saudi authorities information regarding the 
quality of Brazilian meat and for the resumption of our exports to such an important market with the official announcement by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) of the end to the temporary 
ban on imports of beef and beef products impose d in December 2013. In that year alone Brazil 
had exported US$167 million worth of beef and beef products to Saudi Arabia. It is also important to notice that Brazilian companies have a recognized expertise in processing meat with halal certificate, and that it comprises almost half of our exports to Saudi Arabia, amounting to more 
than US$1.4 billion in 2013. 
4.189.  I would like to conclude my statement by saying that despite the challenges posed to both 
our economies by the volatility of commodity pric es, it is clear that it enhances the need and 
opportunity to reinforce greater diversification of activities in Saudi Arabia and Brazil. We are 
certain that the Saudi Government will continue to pursue its development goals, and we are also confident that this will lead to a more balanced trade not only between Brazil and Saudi Arabia, 
but also between Saudi Arabia and all its WTO partners. 
MONTENEGRO 4.190.  The fact that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the second largest oil producer and the 
largest exporter of oil in the world in 2014 reflec ts and explains most of her achievements and 
challenges facing the country and its economy. Montenegro would like to commend Saudi Arabia 
on achieving a gross domestic product increase  from US$526.00 billion to US$746 billion between 
the years 2010–2014. In addition, economic growth  was one of the fastest in the G-20, and GDP 
per capita increased to more than US$24,000, which are all impressive results. 
4.191.  In agreement with the Secretariat and many previous speakers, we recognize that looking 
forward the immediate economic risks to growth are sustained lower oil prices, and instability in 
the region, leading to lower consumption and higher unemployment. The country’s authorities are 
cognizant of these challenges and have tried to  address them through the successive Development 
Plans, maintaining overall macroeconomic stability. 
4.192.  Montenegro notes that under the Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019), the Government 
is seeking to diversify the economy geographically, into new sectors, and vertically through 
processing and manufacturing, developing production  and service activities linked to oil and gas. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  Montenegro will continue to follow closely the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify economic activities in 
non-oil sectors, including financial, tourism, transport, engineering, and communication and 
information technology (IT) services.  
4.193.  My delegation notes with appreciation that Government expenditures on education and 
training are increasing, including the introduction of the Hafiz program, and providing financial 
support for people searching for employment, pa rticularly women. We are encouraged by the 
findings of the Secretariat with regard to female employment reporting on eased regulations, more 
sectors opened for their employment, and we hope this trend continues. 
4.194.  Montenegro recognizes the commitments that Saudi Arabia has to the multilateral trading 
system and regional integration. In this regard, Montenegro notes that in addition to its World 
Trade Organization commitments, Saudi Arabia co ntinues its strong support for the efforts to 
conclude the Doha Development Agenda negotiatio ns. We reiterate our hope that membership will 
take key steps forward in the coming months based on the decisions taken by all members at the Tenth Ministerial Conference, and with the necessary flexibility and openness for the new 
approaches in the negotiation process. 
4.195.  Bilateral relations between our two countries have stabile and positive development with 
possibilities to increase and broaden our economic cooperation. The Government of Montenegro 
and our business community stands ready to intensify discussion on the vast range of 
opportunities including project "water for oil", cooperation in agricultural, construction services and information technology and further facilitate trade and investments with partners from Saudi Arabia. 
4.196.  Finally, Montenegro is looking forwar d to continuing excellent and constructive 
engagement with the delegation of Saudi Arabia in Geneva and my distinguished colleague Ambassador Al Otaibi and his team. We wish Saudi Arabia every success in its second Trade Policy 
Review. 
PAKISTAN 4.197.  It is an honour to speak at this second trade policy review of Saudi Arabia, for Pakistan 
and Saudi Arabia share special relationship. Bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of 
Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are historically close and extremely friendly. Major Pakistani city of Lyallpur was renamed Faisalabad in honour of King Faisal in 1977. 
4.198.  The two countries have developed a very good commercial and geo-strategic relationship, 
and have sought to develop extensive commercial, cultural, religious, political, and strategic 
relations since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistan affirms its relationship with Saudi Arabia as their most "important bilateral partnership".  
4.199.  Saudi Arabia has been supportive and have extended help to Pakistan at critical times, 
when Pakistan faced economic challenges and natural disasters.  
4.200.  Pakistan having a large Muslims population, and Saudi Arabia being the largest country in 
the Arab peninsula and home of the two most religious holiest cities of Islam; Mecca Mukaramah 
and Madina Monawarah, the destination of all Muslim pilgrims from all over the world, this reinforce the strong ties between the two countries.   
4.201.  Pakistanis national are contributing to the work force of in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 
there more than 1 million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia. Their remittances are a 
major source of foreign currency for Pakistan.  
4.202.  Saudi Arabia is the largest source of petroleum and related products for Pakistan. It also 
provides extensive economic assistance to Pakistan. In recent years, both countries have 
exchanged high-level delegations and developed pl ans to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, 
education, real estate, tourism, information technology, communications and agriculture WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.203.  On bilateral trade, Saudi Arabia is amon g the top 15 export partners of Pakistan and the 
bilateral trade volume is more than US$4 billion per year and a further increase in the future is expected. 
4.204.  Since the last review, despite the heavy reliance of the economy of Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia on oil production, the Government has made a significant effort to diversify its 
product mix as far as exports are concerned. In the period 2010-2014, economic growth was one of the fastest in the G-20, and GDP per capita in creased to more than US$24,000. For most of this 
period, there were fiscal surpluses and total public  debt declined to 1.6% of GDP while foreign 
exchange reserves, at US$732 billion, were almost the equivalent of GDP or 3 years of imports. 
4.205.  The Government’s efforts at diversifying its export mix and reducing its expenditures are 
commendable, while trying to overcome the challeng es and adverse effects of decline in Oil Price. 
Furthermore, several steps were taken to improve the investment climate by opening several 
sectors to foreign investments, namely mining, petrochemicals, gas, and communications, these 
actions are commendable. As well as the process to improve and simplify Customs procedures is 
also an important step taken by the Government.  
4.206.  Pakistan commends the emphasis given to the diversification and job creation in 
successive Development Plans. Under the tenth Development Plan (2015-2019), the Government 
is seeking to diversify the economy into new sectors, particularly through processing and 
manufacturing in sectors linked to oil and gas.  
4.207.  Pakistan warmly welcomes the initiatives to  overcome the gender gap issue, by increasing 
female participation in the workforce.  
4.208.  Since the last review in 2012, applied tariffs remained unchanged at 5% on nearly 80% of 
tariff lines; duty free on another 11%. Saudi Ar abia has never conducted proceedings or applied 
any contingency measures.  
4.209.  Despite the global slowdown, it seems that  the Government is cognizant of the challenge 
and has acted accordingly by undertaking a large number of initiatives to facilitate trade and foreign investment, including in customs procedures and in other areas mentioned in the report, 
such as protection of intellectual property rights, and investment in new cities and in 
infrastructure. 
4.210.  The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  very ably led by HE Dr Abdolazeez Al Otaibi 
has been playing a critical and highly positive role at WTO, Dr Otaibi has chaired number of 
different Bodies at the WTO, and played a vibr ant role as coordinator of the Arab Group. 
4.211.  To conclude, we wish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a successful TPR and all the best in 
their economic endeavours. 
INDIA 
4.212.  In the period 2010-2014, Saudi Arabia was one of the fastest growing economies among 
the G-20 members. However, subsequent decline in the oil prices beginning 2014 and weak global 
demand and output has impacted its economic pe rformance and brought pressure on government 
finances. We note that the fiscal deficit for 2015 is expected to be about 20% of the GDP.  
4.213.  Recognizing global economic headwinds, Saudi Arabia has continued to take steps, 
including through new legislations, to improve its investment climate, to focus on ease of doing 
business, pursue diversification strategies and to op en up certain key economic  activities to foreign 
investments. Saudi Arabia remains the largest recipient of FDI in the Arab world. Through successive development plans, diversification of the production base from oil production has been 
a consistent objective but, as noted in the Secretariat report, the large reserves and low 
production cost imply that it may remain dependent on the oil revenues in the foreseeable future. On the trade policy front, Saudi Arabia has broadly maintained an open trade and investment 
regime. Its applied tariff levels are relatively low. The Government has taken steps to simplify its 
procedures for imports and exports with a view to  making trading conditions more predictable and 
simpler. Going forward, we wish Saudi Arabia every success in overcoming immediate economic WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  challenges to its growth, and in pursuing plan s to ensure sustainable economic development, 
improve the performance and competitiveness of  its economy, human resource development, 
particularly accelerating the pace of Kingdom’s transformation into a knowledge based economy, 
and economic diversification to non-oil sectors.  
4.214.  At the bilateral level, India and Saudi Arabia enjoy multi-faceted strategic partnership 
reflecting the centuries old political, cultural and economic ties, and most importantly, the long-standing people to people connections. More than three million people of Indian origin reside 
in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the development of Saudi Arabia and in further expanding the 
horizons of India-Saudi Arabia relations. India and Saudi Arabia closely cooperate in other multilateral fora such as the G20 as well as with in the framework of the GCC. Today, Saudi Arabia 
is our fourth largest trading partner and a major source of energy supplies. Saudi Arabia is the 
fifth largest market for India’s exports, and during 2014-15, our bilateral trade reached an amount 
of about US$39 billion. On the investment front, a number of India companies have invested in Saudi Arabia in diverse sectors such as construction projects, telecommunications, IT, 
pharmaceuticals, management and consultancy services. We remain engaged with the Saudi 
Arabian government and businesses to significantly step up bilateral investments and expanding trade ties, particularly in non-oil sectors, for mutual benefit. All in all, our bilateral relations 
continue to expand and both our countries remain committed to elevating the trade and 
investment linkages to their full potential. 
4.215.  Saudi Arabia has been an active voice in all aspects of work in this Organization, including 
as coordinator of the Arab Group, which we very  much appreciate. We applaud the commitment of 
the Saudi Arabia to the multilateral trading system and to the ongoing negotiations. Both our 
countries have a shared interest in a strong and effective multilateral trading system and we look forward to working closely with Ambassador Otaibi and his team in Geneva. In closing, we wish 
the delegation of Saudi Arabia a productive and successful TPR. 
NIGERIA 4.216.  Nigeria is pleased to note that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has focused on the economic 
diversification and job creation. Under the Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019), the Government 
is working to diversify the economy into new sect ors such as the manufacturing of metal products, 
machinery, equipment and electrical appliances; export-oriented manufacturing industries; and strengthening and developing SMEs. Several step s have been taken to improve the investment 
climate by removing investment restrictions in mining, petrochemicals, gas, and communications. 
In addition, in August 2015, as an aid to invest ment, the Saudi Arabia General Investment Agency 
(SAGIA) published a manual setting out requirements and fees for investment licenses, and the 
services available for different categories of investors. These measures, we believe would ensure 
transparency in doing business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
4.217.  Saudi Arabia has not been a complainant or respondent in any disputes under the WTO 
Dispute Settlement Mechanism, but it has participated as a third party in twenty-eight cases. 
Nigeria would, therefore, like to congratulate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for participation as third party. We believe that the third party participation would help developing country members to gain legal capacity in the Dispute Settlement Mechanism and also increase transparency and allow 
developing countries to acquire legal capacity. 
4.218.  At the bilateral level, Nigeria has long-standing relationship with the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia. The bilateral relations have been characterized by cooperation and trust between the 
leaders of the two countries and continue to grow  given the desire of our two countries to forge 
ahead in addressing the important issues that would make the world a better place to live.  
4.219.  In his efforts to ensure genuine development that would diversify Nigeria’s economy, 
President Muhammadu Buhari recently led a delegation of ministers, economic advisers and 
corporate leaders for a strategic dialogue with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saudi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is Nigeria’s hope that these efforts would fill the vacuum that exists between the two countries trade relations. 
4.220.  As an active Member of the WTO, the King dom of Saudi Arabia has played a leading role in 
the on-going DDA negotiations. We look forward to further collaboration. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  BÉNIN 
4.221.  La délégation du Bénin remercie la délégation du Royaume d'Arabie saoudite pour les 
informations importantes qu’elle nous a fournies sur les réalisations du Royaume aux plans économique et commercial depuis son accession à l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC), et 
particulièrement dans la période 2011-2016, considérée pour le présent examen des politiques 
commerciales. 
4.222.  Elle voudrait également souligner les efforts déployés par le Gouvernement du Royaume 
d’Arabie saoudite pour mettre ses politiques commerciales en conformité avec les obligations 
contractées à l’occasion de son accession à l’OMC. Il convient de souligner dans ce cadre les mesures prises pour: 
 faciliter et promouvoir un rôle accru du secteur privé dans l’économie, améliorer la 
facilitation des échanges et le climat des affaires afin d’attirer les investissements étrangers 
(avec un régime d’investissement mis en place par la Loi 1437H (2015), qui a été promulguée par Décret Royal); 
 améliorer la compétitivité et la productivité en application des neuvième et dixième Plans de 
développement, et diversifier l’économie du pa ys afin que sa croissance soit durable et 
résiliente aux chocs pétroliers; 
 mettre en œuvre les directives du G-20 interdisant les nouvelles restrictions au commerce; 
 maintenir les droits de douane à un niveau relativement bas tout en évitant les obstacles 
tarifaires et en appliquant les mesures telles que les OTC et les mesures SPS. Fervent défenseur de l’Accord sur la facilitation des échanges, le Royaume d’Arabie Saoudite a 
continué à améliorer ses pratiques douanières; et 
 renforcer la part des services dans l’économie. 
4.223.  L’économie saoudienne est caractérisée par une croissance économique stable qui s’est 
établie en moyenne à 5,3% du PIB par an, entre 2010 et 2014, avec une balance courante et un 
solde budgétaire largement excédentaire. 
4.224.  Sur le plan commercial, le Royaume d’Arabie saoudite, dont les objectifs des politiques 
économiques et commerciales visent la libéralisation des échanges et de l’investissement, a 
enregistré des résultats très appréciés sur la période 2010-2015, avec une évolution des exportations des marchandises qui sont passées en 2010 de 251 143 millions de dollars EU à 342 433 millions de dollars EU en 2014, fortement dominée par les produits pétroliers.  
4.225.  La délégation du Bénin souligne avec grand intérêt l’engagement du Royaume d’Arabie 
saoudite en faveur du système commercial multilatéral qui se traduit par le soutien du pays aux négociations du Cycle de Doha, réaffirmé à l’o ccasion de la 10ème Conférence Ministérielle de 
l’OMC, à Nairobi (Kenya), tenue du 15 au 19 décembre 2015, la signature de nombreux accords 
bilatéraux, et régionaux de libre-échange qui ont davantage renforcé son intégration dans le système commercial multilatéral.  
4.226.  La délégation du Bénin se réjouit des excellentes relations de coopération qui existent si 
heureusement entre le Bénin et le Royaume d’Arabie saoudite, avec l’échange de délégations de haut niveau, notamment plusieurs visites effectuées par le Chef de l’État du Bénin à Riyad et à Djeddah, et les missions économiques effectuées dans les deux capitales dans le cadre des 
échanges économiques et commerciaux. Á ces occasions, plusieurs accords de promotion et 
protection des investissements dans différents secteurs ont été conclus. 
4.227.  L’Arabie saoudite apporte également son expertise et son assistance technique au Bénin, à 
travers le développement des infrastructures routières, hospitalières, scolaires et universitaires, la 
lutte contre l’avancée de la mer par la construction des épis au large des côtes béninoises. Il convient de souligner également l’organisation des foires commerciales et artisanales, le 
développement du secteur des textiles, le tourisme, l’action humanitaire, etc.   WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  RÉPUBLIQUE  DE GUINÉE   
4.228.  Ce deuxième examen de la politique et pratiques commerciales du Royaume d'Arabie 
saoudite nous a permis de mieux cerner les contours de l'économie saoudienne mais surtout de constater les progrès réalisés par cette dernière depuis le premier examen de sa politique 
commerciale en 2012. 
4.229.  En effet, les réformes structurelles engagées par le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite et qui lui 
ont permis d'avoir des performances économiques, malgré la chute du prix du pétrole ces 
dernières années, prouvent à suffisance que l'Arabie saoudite pratique une politique commerciale 
soutenue et tournée vers l'extérieur. 
4.230.  Les mesures entreprises par le Gouvernement saoudien pour la diversification de 
l'économie du Royaume dans les domaines tels que l'éducation, la santé, l'agriculture, l'énergie 
traduisent la nécessité de nouer des partenariats  stratégiques qui peuvent permettre à d'autres 
pays en développement de tirer pleinement profit des opportunités qu'offre le marché saoudien. 
4.231.  La République de Guinée a pris note des deux rapports préparés respectivement par le 
Secrétariat de l'OMC et par le Gouvernement saoudien. Nous pensons que grâce au travail de tous, 
du côté saoudien comme du côté du Secrétaria t, ce deuxième examen peut marquer un nouvel 
élan dans l'élaboration de la politique commerciale du Royaume d'Arabie saoudite. 
4.232.  Comme vous le savez, le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite et la République de Guinée sont tous 
deux membres de l'Organisation de la coopération islamique (OCI), composée de 57 États membres. L'OCI a pour vocation de promouvoir entre ces États membres la coopération dans les domaines économiques, sociaux, culturels et scientifiques grâce au soutien financier de la Banque 
islamique de développement. 
4.233.  Ainsi, grâce au Fonds saoudien pour le développement, le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite a fait 
une contribution de 3 millions de dollars EU au Fonds d'affectation spéciale pour le Cadre intégré 
renforcé destiné à aider les PMA à mieux s'intégrer dans le système commercial multilatéral. 
4.234.  Concernant l'assistance technique et le renforcement des capacités, la République de 
Guinée se réjouit et se félicite des différentes contributions du Royaume d'Arabie saoudite au fonds 
d'affectation spéciale de l'OMC permettant aux PM A de bénéficier des activités comme les mesures 
sanitaires et phytosanitaire et les obstacles techniques au commerce. 
4.235.  S'agissant de la coopération bilatérale, le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite et la République de 
Guinée ont toujours eu des relations basées sur le renforcement et la promotion de l'Uma 
islamique, avec une coopération axée sur le développement économique durable. 
4.236.  En effet, les deux pays organisent à des intervalles réguliers les réunions de la commission 
mixte qui fixent les grandes lignes et les contours de la coopération entre nos deux pays. 
4.237.  C'est à ce titre que le Vice-Ministre des A ffaires étrangères du Royaume d'Arabie Saoudite, 
son Altesse le prince héritier Abdelaziz Ben A bdallah Ben Abdelaziz, a séjourné à Conakry en 
juin 2012 afin de fixer les axes de coopération susceptibles d'être explorés entre le Royaume 
d'Arabie saoudite et la République de Guinée. 
4.238.  Afin de concrétiser les différentes initiatives des deux pays et de les matérialiser en projets 
concrets, le Président de la République de Guinée a effectué une troisième visite de travail en Arabie saoudite, en mars 2016, au cours de laquelle plusieurs hommes d'affaires guinéens et 
saoudiens ont eu l'occasion d'échanger sur les possibilités d'affaires entre les deux pays. 
4.239.  Avec le Roi Salman Ben Abdoul Aziz Al Saoud, le Président de la République de Guinée a 
profité de cette visite pour mettre l'accent sur le renforcement de la coopération et des liens entre 
le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite et la République de Guinée. La rencontre a permis de réaffirmer la 
volonté de nos deux pays à raffermir leurs relations et de les diversifier dans une coopération gagnant-gagnant. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.240.  D'autres rencontres ont suivi au niveau du Ministre des finances, du Ministre du commerce 
e t  d e  l ' i n d u s t r i e ,  a i n s i  q u ' a v e c  l e  M i n i s t r e  s a o u d i e n  d u  H a j j .  C e t t e  v i s i t e  a  p e r m i s  d e  s i g n e r  d'importants accords notamment un accord pour le financement à hauteur de 80 millions de dollars EU destinés au financement de quatre écoles  régionales des arts et métiers, la rénovation 
de l'hôpital Donka, le financement du cinquième projet de forage, et un accord de financement 
pour la réalisation d'infrastructures routières à hauteur de 243 millions de dollars EU. 
4.241.  Comme vous le savez, depuis que la Guinée a été frappée par l'épidémie du virus Ebola en 
2014, aucun ressortissant guinéen n'a pu effectuer le pèlerinage sur les lieux saints de l'Islam. 
4.242.  C'est pourquoi vous me permettrez de saisir l'occasion qui m'est offerte et le devoir de me 
faire l'écho de la voix du Président de la République de Guinée, lors de sa récente visite en Arabie saoudite pour demander à la délégation saoudienne ici présente de faciliter le mouvement des 
personnes physiques des pèlerins guinéens dans le cadre de ses engagements au sein de l'OMC. 
4.243.  Toute chose qui facilitera le déplacement des pèlerins guinéens vers les lieux saints de 
l'Islam à partir de cette année 2016. 
4.244.  Cette décision permettra aux organisateurs du pèlerinage, composés d'agences de voyage, 
des tours opérateurs, des avionneurs de redynamiser le secteur du commerce des services dans mon pays car vous n'êtes pas sans savoir que l'épidémie du virus Ebola a eu un impact très négatif 
sur les échanges et sur l'économie guinéenne. 
4.245.  Je voudrais également remercier le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite pour l'aide médicale 
composée de désinfectants, de matériels de protection et de plusieurs types de médicaments apportés à la Guinée lors de cette crise sanitaire sans précédent qui a frappé mon pays. 
4.246.  L'Arabie saoudite dispose, en effet, d'atouts considérables: son rôle éminent dans le 
monde musulman, les richesses formidables de son sous-sol, son faible niveau d'endettement extérieur, la jeunesse de sa population et enfin le dynamisme de ses milieux d'affaires qu'elle 
pourra mettre au service d'autres pays en développement comme la Guinée. 
4.247.  L'heure est propice pour que la Guinée pui sse bénéficier davantage du savoir-faire et des 
technologies du Royaume d'Arabie saoudite afin de soutenir le développement de la République de 
Guinée car les entreprises saoudiennes disposent d'une véritable excellence dans des secteurs-clés 
d'une économie moderne, tels que l'éducation et la formation ainsi que les grandes infrastructures. 
4.248.  Pour terminer, je voudrais inviter les Me mbres de l'OMC à encourager le Royaume d'Arabie 
saoudite, pays nouvellement accédant à l'OMC, pour toutes les mesures prises par les autorités 
saoudiennes dans le cadre de la diversification de son économie et de son ouverture vers 
l'extérieur d'une part, et pour les mesures prises pour rendre son marché plus attractif aux investissements étrangers d'autre part. 
4.249.  Nous nous félicitons également du respect de ses engagements souscrits au sein de l'OMC 
et pour le renforcement de sa coopération avec les pays les moins avancés comme la République de Guinée. 
ROYAUME
 DU MAROC 
4.250.  C'est pour la délégation du Royaume du Maroc un immense plaisir de participer, 
aujourd'hui à ce deuxième examen des politiques commerciales de l'Arabie saoudite qui, j'en suis convaincu, sera l'occasion de permettre aux pa ys Membres de notre vénérable Organisation de 
prendre connaissance des progrès réalisés par ce pays frère dans le système commercial 
multilatéral. 
4.251.  L'exercice auquel nous allons nous livrer aujourd'hui et après-demain sera également 
l'occasion pour le Gouvernement de l'Arabie saoudite de présenter les différentes facettes et les 
piliers de ses politiques commerciales, déterminé à honorer ses engagements et intégrer pleinement le comme rce multilatéral. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.252.  L'Arabie saoudite, Membre de l'OMC depuis  2005, est une nation en évolution. Depuis de 
nombreuses années maintenant et conformément aux Plans de développement successifs, la politique publique est axée sur la diversification et la création d'emplois. Pendant la période 2010-2014, l'Arabie saoudite figurait parmi les pays du G-20 qui ont enregistré la plus forte croissance 
économique. 
4.253.  Le développement économique de l'Arabie saoudite a progressé à pas de géant ces 
dernières années et ce, principalement grâce au cadre réglementaire favorable mis en place par le 
Gouvernement. Tous ces efforts ont permis à l'économie de ce pays arabe d'être l'une des plus 
prospères et des plus stables de la Région du Moyen-Orient. 
4.254.  Le Royaume du Maroc se félicite des performances économiques impressionnantes de 
l'Arabie saoudite, sur ces dernières années. Les évolutions successives conjuguées à l'adoption des 
règles et principes de l'économie de marché ont permis à l'économie saoudienne d'enregistrer des 
taux de croissance impressionnants et de s'engager sur la voie d'un développement durable et diversifié. 
4.255.  Au cours de la période examinée, l'Arabie saoudite, soucieuse de diversifier leur économie 
pour moins dépendre du pétrole, ont poursuivi leurs efforts de développement du secteur manufacturier. 
4.256.  Le Gouvernement a suivi avec succès une stratégie consistant à créer un climat favorable à 
l'activité commerciale et propice à la croissance économique, avec comme atouts un faible niveau d'imposition, des droits de douane peu élevés et des politiques publiques favorisant l'investissement étranger. 
4.257.  Á cet égard, il sied de souligner que l'Arabie saoudite est parmi les premiers bénéficiaires 
d'investissement étranger direct du monde arabe. Elle doit cette réussite au développement positif 
de l'économie nationale et aux mesures qu'elle a prises pour améliorer son climat 
d'investissement, notamment en ouvrant certai nes activités essentielles de son économie à 
l'investissement étranger et en facilitant les procédures douanières. 
4.258.  Le Royaume du Maroc se félicite également de la vision à laquelle souscrit l'Arabie saoudite 
en ce qui concerne les accords commerciaux régionaux, lesquels complètent le système 
multilatéral, approfondissent l'intégration des marchés et renforcent le rôle du commerce dans la croissance économique, en favorisant les gains d'échelle pour les entreprises nationales et en apportant une assise plus large qui permet de faire face à la concurrence au niveau mondial. 
4.259.  En est un exemple réussi la zone panarabe de libre échange (PAFTA), qui, en janvier 2005, 
a su éliminer tous les obstacles au commerce entre ses membres dont fait partie le Maroc. 
4.260.  L'Arabie saoudite est aussi un ardent partisan et défenseur du système commercial 
multilatéral. Elle joue un rôle actif dans le Cycle des négociations commerciales multilatérales en 
cours, en sa qualité de Coordonnateur du Grou pe Arabe, une tâche volontariste mais aussi 
responsable qu'elle continue de mener. 
4.261.  De plus, l'Arabie saoudite est favorable au renforcement des programmes d'assistance 
technique en faveur des Pays en développement et des Pays les moins avancés (PMA) dans plusieurs domaines de l'OMC. 
4.262.  Cette vision de l'Arabie saoudite est largement partagée par de nombreux pays en voie de 
développement dont mon pays le Maroc. 
4.263.  Permettez-moi, enfin, de féliciter le Gouvernement de l'Arabie saoudite pour son parcours 
réussi de ces dernières années ainsi que pour son dynamisme au sein du commerce multilatéral. 
KAZAKHSTAN 
4.264.  Diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were established almost 
immediately after Kazakhstan gained its independen ce and, since then, Saudi Arabia has become a 
very important trade and economic partner of Kazakhstan. We have very close and friendly WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  relationship which extends from the leadership to the peoples of the two countries. Trade and 
economic cooperation between our countries is st eadily evolving with an annual trade turnover 
exhibiting upward trend in recent years. Kazakh stan's major export items to Saudi Arabia are 
barley, metals and tools. Imports from Saudi Arabia include lubricants, varnish, paints and other 
products. 
4.265.  During the period 2005-2015, direct investments of Saudi Arabia into Kazakhstan totaled 
US$85 million. Over the years, the Government of Saudi Arabia provided continuous support to the 
development of such important areas as infrastructure, healthcare and education in Kazakhstan. In 
this regard, I would like to thank the Government of Saudi Arabia for the fruitful cooperation in 
implementation of numerous large projects, including roads reconstruction, building of schools and hospitals, as well as to its invaluable contribution to the development of our new capital – Astana. 
4.266.  Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia regularly organize business forums with participation of 
representatives of the business communities from both countries.  
4.267.  Kazakhstan, as a country that attaches high priority to the process of diversification of the 
national economy, would like to wish the Government and people of Saudi Arabia a successful 
implementation of the Tenth Development Plan and expeditiously achieve its goals, especially in 
economic diversification and creating knowledge based economy. 
4.268.  In closing, I want to emphasize once again that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the 
most important strategic partners of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We are confident that there is a lot of potential to further develop our mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation in the years to come. Using this opportunity, as a very recently acceded Member, I would like to thank 
the Government of Saudi Arabia and personally H.E. Ambassador Al Otaibi for the continuous 
strong support to the accession of Kazakhstan to the WTO and look forward to further cooperation within the Organization. 
URUGUAY 
4.269.  Nuestro país desea felicitar a Arabia Saudita por haberse situado entre las economías del 
G-20 que registraron más rápido crecimiento económico en el período objeto de examen. 
4.270.  Nuestro país mantiene amistosas y constructivas relaciones con Arabia Saudita en los 
distintos ámbitos y en los últimos años ha habido visitas de alto nivel con el objetivo de ampliar e intensificar los lazos económicos y comerciales. 
4.271.  Asimismo, existen instrumentos jurídicos de interés para nuestro país como proyectos de 
acuerdos sobre sanidad animal, servicios aéreos, cooperación entre los Ministerios de agricultura 
de ambos países, protección de inversiones, entre otros. 
4.272.  En el período objeto de examen, en principal producto que nuestro país exportó fue cítricos 
(mandarinas y limones). También se exportó madera aserrada o desbastaba longitudinalmente, 
demás placas de plástico no celular y sin refuerzo, lácteos, animales vivos de la especie ovina y caprina. Las exportaciones de estos productos han tenido un comportamiento irregular, ha habido 
poco equilibrio en la balanza comercial bilateral por lo cual nuestro país desea hacer hincapié en el 
interés de exportar mayores volúmenes a Arabia Saudita dado que son economías complementarias. 
4.273.  En este mismo sentido, Uruguay desea reiterar su disposición a mantener conversaciones 
bilaterales con el objetivo de encontrar mayores puntos de contacto entre los productos que ofrece 
nuestro país y demanda de Arabia Saudita. 
EL
 SALVADOR 
4.274.  Queremos destacar los esfuerzos que ha hecho Arabia Saudita para asegurar el desarrollo 
económico sostenible y mejorar los resultados y la competitividad de su economía desarrollando la estructura del sector público y acelerando el ritmo de transformación del país en una economía 
basada en el conocimiento, tal como lo plantea en su informe. Si bien a pesar de sus esfuerzos por 
diversificar su economía, otros sectores productivos no han alcanzado la importancia que tiene la WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  producción de petróleo, que tal como se desprende del informe de la Secretaría en 2014 
representaba casi el 50% del PIB, el 83% de las exportaciones y el 90% de los ingresos públicos, estos ingresos han permitido a Arabia Saudita tener un crecimiento económico acelerado y aumentar su PIB, así como tener superávits fiscales y reducir significativamente la deuda pública, 
lo cual le da una posición favorable aunque siga dependiendo de sus ingresos provenientes del 
petróleo en los próximos años y el margen necesario para esperar los frutos de sus políticas de diversificación y atracción de inversión extranjera.  
4.275.  Hemos observado también los esfuerzos que el Gobierno de Arabia Saudita ha venido 
realizando para mantener su Política Económica bajo la orientación de las normas de la OMC y ajustándose a las mejores prácticas en la gestión de su comercio internacional, tal como se refleja en el informe del Gobierno.  
4.276.  En el plano multilateral, Arabia Saudita ha venido apoyando los esfuerzos destinados a 
lograr cuanto antes la conclusión satisfactoria de las negociaciones del Programa de Doha para el Desarrollo y ha mostrado un compromiso de permanecer activo en la labor de los Consejos y 
Comités de la OMC y del Órgano de Solución de Diferencias con vistas a apoyar el fortalecimiento 
de las funciones de consulta, vigilancia y solución de diferencias de la Organización para mejorar la aplicación, la administración y el funcionamiento de los Acuerdos de la OMC. 
4.277.  En el plano bilateral, a pesar que el intercambio comercial actual aún es bajo, ha estado en 
constante crecimiento en los últimos cinco años, pasando de 226 miles de dólares EE.UU. en 2010 a 10.5 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2015. Los principales productos exportados por El Salvador a Arabia Saudita durante el periodo 2013-2015 fueron herramientas de metal, productos de aluminio 
y camisetas de algodón, mientras que las importaciones son principalmente de insumos para la 
industria de productos plásticos, preparacio nes alimenticias, muebles, entre otros.  
KINGDOM
 OF BAHRAIN 
4.278.  As well as being a member of the GCC Customs Union, the economy of the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia is highly connected to that of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia shares Bahrain's only land border, through the King Fahad Causeway, one of the world's longest and busiest cross-border 
bridges, making it our largest export destination, with total non-oil exports reaching US$4 billion in 
2015, just under 50% of our total exports. As well as working as a gateway from Bahraini exports to the rest of the region. 
4.279.  We are therefore delighted to see from the report that Saudi Arabia's economic growth was 
one of the fastest in the G-20 for most of the period under review, and that they have taken steps 
to facilitate and promote an increased role for th e private sector in the economy, to improve the 
ease of doing business and to continue to improve the investment climate. 
4.280.  Confronted with the challenge of the declining oil prices currently facing our region, we 
look forward to seeing Saudi Arabia's latest Development Plan in action, the plan promises to diversify the economy geographically, into new sectors, and vertically through processing and 
manufacturing in sectors linked to oil and gas; an initiative Bahrain and the rest of the region 
could learn from. 
GUATEMALA 4.281.  Guatemala y el Reino de la Arabia Saudita han mantenido sólidas relaciones comerciales 
desde hace varias décadas. El comercio bilateral entre nuestros países creció más de un 20% en el 
período 2002-2015 y pasó de 108 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2002 a 133 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2015. Las exportaciones guatemaltecas al Reino de la Arabia Saudita superaron los  72 
millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2015. Los principa les productos exportados fueron cardamomo, 
café, frutas congeladas y azúcar. Por su parte, las importaciones de productos del Reino de la Arabia Saudita a Guatemala se concentraron en materiales plásticos y sus manufacturas y 
alcanzaron los 61 millones de dólares EE.UU.  
4.282.  En relación con la evaluación que hoy nos concierne, resaltamos la adhesión de la 
Arabia Saudita al Tratado de Cooperación en materia de Patentes (TCP) y el Tratado sobre el Derecho de Patentes (PTL), así como las actividades llevadas a cabo en el marco de la política WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  agropecuaria, destinadas a lograr una utilización más eficiente de los recursos. Dentro de los retos 
importantes a corto plazo, observamos la importancia de continuar los esfuerzos emprendidos por el Reino de la Arabia Saudita, para diversificar su economía y fomentar la creación de empleo. En este sentido, se espera que el Plan de Desarrollo para el período 2015-2019, juegue un papel 
importante en este proceso de diversificación geográfica, sectorial y vertical de la economía. 
4.283.  Guatemala reconoce los esfuerzos realizados por el Reino de la Arabia Saudita durante el 
período evaluado en este informe y desea a la delegación que hoy los representa, una exitosa 
conclusión de su examen de políticas comerciales. 
JORDAN 4.284.  Jordan enjoys longstanding relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and enjoys 
excellent economic and trade relations and a very smooth flow of trade and investment. 
4.285.  The Saudi economy is based on openness and solid macroeconomic foundations and 
successfully maintained its resilience and stability with continued steady growth and ambitious economic vision. The remarkable figures shown in the reports are a result of a wise development 
strategy followed progressively by the Saudi Government. The period under review witnessed 
economic and regulatory reforms focusing on maintaining an investment friendly environment, and increasing the role of the private sector in driving the economy.  
4.286.  The sustained economic growth rates an d the ambitious economic policies namely the 
transformation into a knowledge-based econom y by 2030 are remarkable; Jordan congratulates 
the Saudi Government and the business society for such achievements and would like to wish the brotherly Saudi Arabia more prosperity and a fruitful and successful Trade Policy Review. 
QATAR 
4.287.  It is indeed a great pleasure for the delegation of the State of Qatar to participate in the 
second TPR of brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom and State of Qatar constitute 
together with UAE, the Kingdom of Bahrain, th e Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait, the GCC Custom 
Union and share a common culture and history. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar are also partners within Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), where the Kingdom's 
policies of openness have been integral in enhancing the region efforts towards effective 
integrating into the global economy. 
4.288.  During the first trade policy review in 2012, WTO Members noted that the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia maintained sound economic policies and an outward-looking trade regime which 
enabled it to successfully weather the global crisis without backsliding on trade liberalization. 
4.289.  In the period under current review, we are pleased to note that despite the continuation of 
economic and political turmoil in the world, the Kingdom has continued to implement its trade 
policies consistently with its WTO obligations. 
4.290.  Furthermore, and as noted by the reports prepared for this meeting, the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia has taken important policy initiatives since 2012 to emerge as a significant player in an 
increasingly inter-dependent world. In this connect ion, we are happy to note that the Kingdom has 
not introduced any protectionist trade-policy measures despite the impact of falling oil prices on its economy. 
4.291.  In particular, we congratulate the Kingdom for making steady progress in promoting legal 
environment of investment and trade facilita tion measures, including easing of customs 
procedures and lowering the administrative import and export costs. 
4.292.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sound economic  policy is an excellent example for us in the 
GCC of how an energy-exporting developing country can diversify the economy away from oil into 
a knowledge-based economy. In the light of this, we  are pleased to note that the main target of 
the Tenth Development Plan of the Kingdom is to  increase the total value added of the non-oil 
sectors at an average annual rate of 7.9%. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.293.  In conclusion, allow me to seize the opportunity to acknowledge the role of 
H.E. Ambassador Abdolazeez Al-Otaibi and his team for their tireless efforts in advancing the work of the WTO. 
4.294.  In particular, we would like to thank the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its 
outstanding work as the GCC coordinator in the WTO, in advancing the interests, aspirations and 
positions of our countries. 
YEMEN 
4.295.  Yemen, as a neighbouring brotherly country, enjoys excellent cultural, economic and 
commercial relations with the Kingdom, who also happens to be one of our major trading partners. 
4.296.  This second regular Trade Policy Review process is another opportunity to better 
appreciate the Kingdom's trade policies since the first TPR in January 2012. Reports presented to 
this cycle of review clearly show positive policy developments and openness in all aspects, as well 
as full commitment to the multilateral trading system. The Saudi Arabian delegation in Geneva has played a very active role in the WTO activities including negotiation under the Doha Round. As a 
G-20 country, Saudi Arabia ranks globally high on both exports and imports of goods and services, 
as well as other key indicators.  
4.297.  Since its accession to the WTO in 2005, Saudi Arabia's economy has performed well 
including in addressing key challenges to diversify its economic base. This has been assisted by 
pursuing quite liberal trade regime with low applied MFN tariff rates and an open services sector. As a result, the Kingdom's economy has witnessed healthy growth despite of some difficulties mostly caused by external factors. In the meantime, the Kingdom has taken several welcomed 
steps to further liberalize different sectors in both trade in services as well as in trade in goods. 
4.298.  Both the Government and the WTO Secretariat reports indicate clearly the enormous 
efforts undertaken since the first TPR. Yemen's delegation welcomes such endeavour by the 
Kingdom and its well established policies to more open up the economy for the benefit of its 
people and the rest of the world. This meeting is  quite useful to contribute in supporting Saudi 
Arabia emergent and diversified economy overall performance. Yemen's delegation hopes that 
WTO Members shall favourably support the Kingdom course of action to develop and further 
advance its trade policy in the years to come. 
TUNISIE 4.299.  Ma délégation tient à souligner les efforts considérables déployés par l'Arabie saoudite 
depuis le précédent examen de sa politique commerciale en vue de poursuivre sa politique de 
libéralisation économique et commerciale à travers le renforcement du processus d'ouverture, l'instauration d'un environnement propice au développement des investissements et la 
diversification des relations commerciales et économies avec ses partenaires, dont mon pays. 
4.300.  Depuis le dernier examen de sa politique commerciale, l'Arabie saoudite a connu des 
mutations importantes sur les plans économique, humain et social. L'économie, essentiellement 
fondée sur la production d'hydrocarbures, s'est diversifiée en se tournant en particulier vers le 
secteur des services, notamment le secteur des services financiers. 
4.301.  L'Arabie saoudite a enregistré une croissance et un développement économique 
importants, et ce, malgré la chute des prix du pétrole et la crise mondiale qui continue d'affecter 
l'économie mondiale. Son PIB a continué d'afficher une croissance considérable pendant la 
majeure partie de la période à l'examen. Pendant la période 2010-2014, elle figure parmi les pays du G-20 qui ont enregistré la plus forte croissance économique avec un PIB par habitant de plus de 
24 000 dollars EU. 
4.302.  Le secteur de l'énergie reste la colonne vertébrale de la production industrielle et du 
commerce. Toutefois, nous constatons ces dernières années la mise en place d'une vision 
stratégique de diversification de l'économie qui vise à bâtir une structure économique moderne 
reposant sur des ressources diversifiées avec un degré d'intégration interne entre les différents secteurs et activités. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.303.  Sur un autre plan, la diversification et l'investissement dans plusieurs secteurs de services 
tels que les transports, la construction et le tourisme (étant donné qu'elle accueille plusieurs millions de pèlerins chaque année et la présence des deux principaux lieux saints de l'islam sur son territoire) ont contribué à stimuler l'économie ces dernières années et devraient se poursuivre 
dans les années à venir. 
4.304.  La Tunisie et l'Arabie saoudite entretiennent des relations fraternelles et de coopération. 
Mon pays accorde une grande importance à ces relations séculaires établies entre nos deux pays 
depuis des décennies. 
4.305.  La Tunisie bénéficie d'un nombre important de projets réalisé par l'Arabie saoudite. Nos 
deux pays sont déterminés à renforcer et à consolider cette coopération dans tous les domaines. 
4.306.  Enfin, je tiens à féliciter l'Ambassadeur Abdolazeez Al-Otaibi, le Représentant Permanent 
de l'Arabie saoudite auprès de l'OMC, ainsi que son équipe pour leur engagement actif aux travaux 
de l'OMC, ainsi qu'aux travaux du cycle des négociations commerciales menées ici à Genève. Sa contribution et celle de son équipe sont largement saluées par tous les États Membres. 
4.307.  Nous apportons notre appui aux efforts de l'Arabie saoudite. 
JAPAN 4.308.  Needless to say, we, Saudi Arabia and Japan, have been important partners for years. 
Japan will make continuous efforts to maintain and further develop the strong ties between us. 
Macroeconomy High dependency on oil sector 4.309.  Overall, Saudi Arabia’s economy can be characterized by its high dependency on its oil 
sector, which is highly influenced by international crude oil prices. 
4.310.  In the first half of the review period, crude oil prices positively impacted Saudi Arabia’s 
economy and it showed strong growth, helped by crude oil price hikes. During this period, the 
average rate of real GDP growth was 5.3%, which was one of the highest among the G-20 
countries. 
4.311.  On the other hand, in the latter half of the review period, crude oil prices negatively 
affected Saudi Arabia’s economy. Since the latte r half of 2014, falling crude oil prices have 
decelerated growth in the country’s main industry. The real GDP growth rate declined to 3.5% in 
2014. According to estimations made by several banks, the estimated real GDP growth rate for 2015 is around 2.5%, which ’is not a sign of recovery.  
Diversification 
4.312.  We know that the Government of Saudi Arabia has made great efforts to address its 
problem of high dependency on the oil sector and diversify its economy, and from our point of 
view, its efforts partially been successful. 
4.313.  According to the Secretariat’s report, the share of the oil sector in the country’s current 
GDP has gradually declined from 50.8% in 2011 to 41.8% in 2014. 
4.314.  Japan commends Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts toward diversification, but we expect 
m o r e .  I n  t h i s  s e n s e ,  w e  e x p e c t  S a u d i  A r a b i a  to implement its national strategy, "the Tenth 
Development Plan", which aims at further diversification of its economy.  
FDI 
4.315.  Foreign direct investment is one of the keys to success in economic diversification. 
However, despite Saudi Arabia’s successive policies to attract FDI, a vast range of prohibitions for WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  FDI remain in place. Furthermore, some laws and regulations are so complicated for foreign 
investors and their implementation is lacking in transparency.  
4.316.  In 2013, Saudi Arabia and Japan signed th e agreement for the promotion and protection of 
investment, yet this agreement hasn`t entered into force. Japan requests Saudi Arabia to share on 
its outlook as to when this agreement can be ra tified. We expect that this agreement makes the 
Saudi Arabia’s business climate more attractive and further promote direct investment from Japan.  
Trade policies 
Customs and procedures 
4.317.  In terms of custom duties, Saudi Arabia binds all tariff lines and tariffs on most products 
are low, which we commend. 
4.318.  We expect Saudi Arabia to continue to address the gap between the average bound tariff 
rate of 11.0% and the average MFN applied ra te of 5.2%, which remains relatively high. 
4.319.  Our primary concern about Saudi Arabia’s trade policy is the complicated nature of import 
and export procedures. According to the latest  Doing Business Report by the World Bank, the 
country was ranked 150th out of 189 economies for trading across frontiers. Surprisingly enough, 
this report also noted that in 2013 Saudi Arabia increased the number of documents needed for importing and exporting, which made its trade procedures more cumbersome. 
4.320.  As already mentioned, trad e facilitation can be one of the ke ys to attract FDI, which would 
contribute to Saudi Arabia’s main objective, namely economic diversification. In this sense, we commend the fact that the country took several steps to simplify its customs procedures, including the Electronic Data Interchange system and the pre-arrival document verification procedure, but 
we expect further improvement in this field.  
4.321.  In this regard, we request Saudi Arabia to  ratify the TF Agreement as soon as possible. 
RTAs 
4.322.  The GCC, of which Saudi Arabia is one of the members, has vigorously engaged in 
negotiations about FTA. The GCC has concluded negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States, Singapore, New Zealand and so forth. Also, the GCC is now engaging in 
negotiations with Australia, China, the EU, India,  Korea, MERCOSUR, Pakistan, Turkey and Japan. 
Among others, the FTA with the EFTA States, which entered into force last year, seems to be important to Saudi Arabia, since this FTA provided Saudi Arabia with a relatively high level of liberalization. Furthermore, it covered not only trade in goods and services but a wide range of 
policy fields, including government procurement and competition policy. Japan commends Saudi 
Arabia and the GCC’s positive efforts to liberalize international trade and hopes that their FTAs and EPAs will complement and strengthen the Multilateral Trading System. 
4.323.  One thing we would like to mention in regard to FTAs is the GCC’s attitude toward 
negotiation with us. Actually, since 2009, our negotiations have been at a standstill. The reason given by the GCC for withdrawing from negotiations was that it needed some time to review all the 
FTA negotiations it was participating in at that time. Japan requests Saudi Arabia and the GCC to 
share information on the progress of this "review" as well as its outlook as to when our negotiations can be resumed. 
Government procurement 
4.324.  With regard to government procurement, Saudi Arabia provides a price preference of 10% 
with domestically produced products. It also gives a preference of 5% to products from the other GCC States. In order to maintain fair competition on government procurement, Japan hopes that 
Saudi Arabia will give non-discriminatory treatment to all WTO Members. 
4.325.  Japan strongly encourages Saudi Arabia to consider becoming a member of the 
Government Procurement Agreement, of which it is currently an observer.  WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  Concerns 
4.326.   Finally, let me make some brief co mments on specific concerns that we have. 
Labour policy 4.327.  Firstly, we are concerned with a Saudi Arabian labour policy, the so-called "Saudization" 
employment requirements. Japanese companies have paid close attention to, and have also made 
great efforts to faithfully comply with the Saudization requirements. However, ironically, Japanese companies' sincere compliance has resulted in cost hikes, and thus, has taken away their 
competitiveness. We believe that policies su ch as these that reduce foreign companies' 
competitiveness eventually discourage FDI and, more importantly, have a negative impact on Saudi Arabia nationals' employment opportuniti es. We request Saudi Arabia to review its 
"Saudization" policy with a view to facilitating foreign companies' activities. 
Investor's license 
4.328.  Secondly, our concern is about the granting of investors' licenses to foreign companies. 
The SAGIA and its operating office, the ISC, are responsible for evaluating and licensing 
investment proposals. We have received several co mplaints from Japanese investors, mainly about 
unclear criteria for granting licenses, as well as a very short licensed period and high renewal charge. We request Saudi Arabia to make these licensing procedures more transparent in order to 
increase the attractiveness of its business environment to foreign investors.   
4.329.  In conclusion, I would like to express our strong wish to continue cooperation between 
Saudi Arabia and Japan.  
EGYPT 
4.330.  Egypt is pleased to see that, as pointed out in the Secretariat report, Saudi Arabia’s 
economic growth was one of the fastest in the G-20 during the period 2010-2014, with an average 
annual real GDP growth of 5.3% and with GDP per capita increasing to more than US$24000. 
Furthermore, total public debt declined to 1.6% of GDP while foreign exchange reserves reached 
US$732 billion, in addition to the large trade-in-goods and current account surpluses.  
4.331.  Egypt commends the measures adopted by the Government of Saudi Arabia in its 
successive Development Plans to diversify the economy and create new jobs. We note Saudi 
Arabia’s determination, under the Tenth Develo pment Plan (2015-2019), to diversify the economy 
in its different dimensions as well as to encourage greater employment of Saudi nationals and to increase female participation in the workforce, through the implementation of the Nitaqat 
programme, a labour market reform strategy introduced by the Government.   
4.332.  As noted in the Secretariat report, Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the 
liberalization of trade and investment to promote economic growth and its efforts to diversify the 
economy and increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to GDP. In this regard, we appreciate the 
large number of initiatives that have been underta ken by Saudi Arabia’s Government to facilitate 
trade and foreign investment, such as customs procedures as well as the protection of intellectual 
property rights, and investment in new cities and infrastructure.  
4.333.  Egypt welcomes Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to the WTO's work and to the 
multilateral trading system, particularly through its active participation and constructive contributions in the Arab Group. Since becoming a Member of the WTO in 2005, Saudi Arabia has 
fully supported the WTO Secretariat’s exercise of periodically monitoring the imposition of new 
trade measures by G-20 WTO Members, and we congratulate Saudi Arabia for being the only G-20 member to avoid such measures since the global financial crisis.   
4.334.  On the bilateral front, Egypt and Saudi Arabia enjoy a strong and interlinked economic 
relationship, which has continued to grow over the past decades, with Saudi Arabia being the second largest non-Arab investor in Egypt and the largest Arab investor. Egypt appreciates the 
initiative by His Royal Highness King Salman bin Abdulaziz to increase Saudi Arabia’s investments WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  in Egypt by an additional US$8 billion, as well as to contribute to Egypt’s needs of oil for a period 
of 5 years, and to increase traffic in the Suez Canal through Saudi ships.   
4.335.  In conclusion, I would like to seize this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for 
the hard work undertaken by Saudi Arabia’s missi on here in Geneva headed by His Excellency 
Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi and his stewardship to the Arab Group, and we look forward to 
continued cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deepen our economic relationship both bilaterally and within the WTO. 
UNITED
 ARAB  EMIRATES 
4.336.  Last year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated here in Geneva under the auspices of 
the Minister of Commerce and Industry, the tenth a nniversary of its accession to the WTO. It was 
an opportunity to highlight the great achievements made by the Kingdom since 
11 December 2005. 
4.337.  During this event, the Director General of the WTO, Roberto Azevêdo, declared that: 
"Indeed, the accession of Saudi Arabia stands as an excellent example to other Governments 
which are still in the process of negotiating their terms and conditions of Membership". He added 
that "After ten years of Membership, Saudi Arabia has established itself as a prominent voice in the WTO". 
4.338.  During the preparatory process leading to MC10 in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kingdom's 
delegation in Geneva, under the efficient and wise leadership of H.E. Abdolazeez Al Otaibi in his capacity as a coordinator of the WTO Arab group,  had greatly contributed to the consensus around 
the Doha Development Agenda and to the importance of the multilateral trading system.  
4.339.  As a member of the GCC, the Kingdom remains a close and solid trading partner to the 
United Arab Emirates. We wish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a fruitful and a successful TPR. 
TURKEY 
4.340.  The Turkish delegation is very much pleased to be present at the second Trade Policy 
Review of Saudi Arabia. At the beginning, I would like to state that with oil reserves of about 
267 billion barrels (16% of the world total) Saudi Arabia, a G-20 member, is one of the main 
economic actors not only in the Middle East but also in the world. As underlined in the Secretariat 
report, Saudi Arabia, besides possessing the largest oil reserves, is also the world leader in oil production, export, and refining capacity.  
4.341.  After acceding to the WTO, Saudi Arabia has proven an impressive economic performance. 
As stated in the Government Report, Saudi Arab ia has adopted a development strategy that has 
led to increased GDP growth, moderate inflation and surpluses in both its overall fiscal position and external current account in recent years. The economic growth of Saudi Arabia has been one of the 
fastest in the G-20 and its real GDP growth aver aged 5.3% annually in the period of 2010-2014. 
Furthermore, GDP per capita rose to over US$24,000 in 2014 from US$19,000 in 2010. Besides, inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, in June 2015 (2.2%) is the lowest inflation 
rate that country witnessed since 2005. However, the sharp decline in the global oil prices since 
2014 has adversely affected the economy and government finances of Saudi Arabia and resulted in lower export and revenue receipts. Nonetheless, we are pleased to observe that the Saudi Arabian authorities are cognizant of the immediate economic risks of sustained lower oil prices and taking 
action to address them through the Ninth (2011-2014) and Tenth (2015-2019) Development 
Plans. 
4.342.  Saudi Arabia is to be commended for its resilient, open and transparent economy despite 
the ongoing instability in the region and sharp de creases in the global oil prices. We note, with 
pleasure, that Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the liberalization of trade and investment in order to assist its economic growth and diversify economy so as to develop and enhance the 
role of the non-hydrocarbon sectors. Relatively low import duties and an open services economy 
reflect Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to the rules-based system. In this regard, Turkey welcomes Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to the WTO and G20.  WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  4.343.  Turkey appreciates the key steps taken by Saudi Arabia in line with its powerful reform 
approach during the period under review, such as enhancing vertical and horizontal economic diversification, promoting the transition to a kn owledge-based economy, improving productivity of 
labor and capital, enhancing fiscal and monetary stability, improving the investment environment, 
increasing the contribution of non-oil sector to the economy and disciplining the public finance.  
4.344.  From a trade policy perspective, Turkey also welcomes the steps taken by Saudi Arabia to 
further simplify the customs procedure such tools as the Electronic "Data Interchange System" 
which allows electronic submission and processing of import declarations and the pre-arrival 
document verification. As referred to in the Secret ariat report, the applied tariff remains essentially 
unchanged since the last Review in 2012 at 5% on about 80% of tariff lines and duty free on another 11%.  
4.345.  On the bilateral side, Turkey and Saudi Arabia enjoy very good political and economic 
relations. The bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Saudi Arabia reached US$6,9 billion in 2014. However, I believe that this does not reflect the real potential of our economies and we seek 
ways to enhance economic relations. In order to further benefit from the potential of our 
economies, it is important to organize the meetings of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in more frequent intervals. Moreover, it is clear that the legal framework of our bilateral trade and 
economic relations will be further strengthen ed by signing a Free Trade Agreement between 
Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). On  this occasion I would like to underline that 
Turkey is ready to conclude the FTA negotiations between Turkey and GCC, which started in 2005. 
4.346.  Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia are mainly composed of electric transformers and 
conductors, clothing and textiles, iron and steel, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. 
Around 80% of our imports from Saudi Arabia are crude oil. Moreover, Turkish contracting firms have accumulated vast experience in Saudi Arabia since 1970s and have undertaken projects 
worth US$17 billion in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2015. In addition, tourism is an important area 
of cooperation between our two countries. The number of Saudi tourists visiting Turkey increases each year, which reached 450 thousands in 2015, by rising more than 30% annually.  
4.347.  I believe that Saudi Arabia could achieve the objective of diversifying its economy 
geographically and vertically and improve the competitiveness and productivity of its economy under the Ninth and Tenth Development Plans that aim to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge-based economy by 2030. 
4.348.  To conclude, we applaud Saudi Arabia’s active participation in and contributions to the 
WTO negotiations under the leadership of Ambass ador Abdolazeez Al Otaibi and his team in 
Geneva. We look forward to continuing the constructive engagement of the Saudi Arabian 
delegation. 
TAJIKISTAN 4.349.  Saudi Arabia is one of Tajikistan's important economic partners and the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia has a special position in the foreign policy in the Arab world. 
4.350.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognized the independence of the Republic of Tajikistan on 
January 1992 and diplomatic relations between  the two countries were established on 
February 1992. The President of the Republic of Ta jikistan, Emomalii Rahmon, had several visits to 
Saudi Arabia, and the most recently was in January 2016. 
4.351.  Our Government pays attention to bilate ral relations setting up legal framework that 
regulate bilateral relations between the two countries. Following top level talks, five new 
cooperation documents have been signed. 
4.352.  Bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia gradually started to have firm 
foundations for quality improvement in order to establish cooperation between the public sectors 
and the economic sphere of Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia. Economic and scientific economic 
cooperation began to operate. The Tajik and Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs' Council is another tool 
for the development of cooperation in the private sector of the two countries.  WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
5.1.  First of all, I would like to express our a ppreciation to the Chairperson, Mrs Irene Young, for 
her remarkable conduct of our Trade Policy Review. I would also like to warmly thank our 
discussant, Mr. Alvaro Molinari, for his insightful and detailed introductory remarks. We also 
reiterate our thanks to the WTO TPR Division for th eir technical and functional coordination of the 
entire process. 
5.2.  The Saudi delegation deeply appreciated wr itten contributions and thoughtful interventions 
made by Members during the opening session on Mo nday. This valuable exercise has provided us 
with the opportunity to listen to insightful vi ews and suggestions from Members on our trade 
policies and practices. It also highlighted the recent developments in Saudi Arabia's trade and 
trade-related policies, and identified some areas in which there is room for improvement.  
5.3.  We are pleased to notice that a number of issues that raised Members’ concerns in our 2012 
first review are no longer relevant or existent. This shows the improvement in our Trade policies 
and practices and our persistence to continue adhering to the rules, disciplines and commitments 
of the WTO Agreements.  
5.4.  We are encouraged by the positive a ssessment of the Kingdom's policies, reforms and 
potential, and the desire expressed by Memb ers for deeper bilateral economic, trade and 
investment engagement with our country. Many Members have expressed their appreciation of our sustained efforts to maintain an open, free and transparent economy. The active role of the Kingdom in supporting the multilateral trading sy stem and the WTO activities was commended by 
the majority of the intervening Members. Th ese acknowledgments by Members are highly 
appreciated.  
5.5.  I am pleased to report that we have provid ed written answers to over 354 questions received 
within and after the 21 March deadline, and we  hope that these responses were to your 
satisfaction.  
5.6.  Let me begin now with the comments of our distinguished discussant, Ambassador Alvaro. 
His remarks have been, in general, very apprecia tive of our economic performance, and reforms 
that have been undertaken during the period under  review. He also pointed out some areas which 
need further improvements for consideration. We thank him for his appreciation and for his insightful suggestions. 
5.7.  Now I will turn briefly to the main issues raised by Members without repeating what has been 
covered in my opening statement.  
5.8.  There were a number of questions and comme nts regarding the new challenges and changing 
economic environment related to the decline in oil prices. According to the IMF 2015 report, the 
Saudi economy is still growing at good rates cl ose to 3.5% in 2015 and we expect growth to 
continue this year despite the unfavourable developments in the international oil market. As I have 
mentioned in my opening statement on Monday, Saudi Arabia through its development plans and 
economic and financial reforms has always overcome its challenging environment in an efficient manner. Thanks to its economic policies which contributed over the years in promoting Government’s financial reserves, large investment in infrastructure which contributes to economic 
growth, very low levels of public debt, and strong and stable banking system.  
5.9.  In addition, the Saudi Government through a significant number of structural, fiscal reforms 
is determined to stimulate economic growth in the non-oil sectors to reduce direct oil dependency, 
encourage private investments, increase efficiency  and productivity through the development of its 
human capital to help achieve greater economic diversification towards a knowledge based economy. Furthermore, the Kingdom continued to  strengthen business environment to promote 
small and medium enterprises. The kingdom has recently established the General Authority for 
small and medium enterprises. 
5.10.  A number of delegations raised questions and made comments regarding Saudization. The 
Saudization Policy aims at ensuring job opportunities for young and qualified Saudis. Given the WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  fact that two-thirds of the 20 million Saudi nati onals are under the age of 30, and 37% of them 
are 14 years old or younger. That means 1.9 million Saudis will enter the workforce over the next decade. It is surely the responsibility of ever y Government to provide job opportunities to its 
citizens. The Saudization policy is not meant to limit the access of foreign professionals and foreign 
workers to our market. This is evident from the fact that as per our statistics of 2013, Saudi Arabia 
hosts over 9 million expatriates.  
5.11.  A number of questions were raised regard ing our foreign investment regime. The Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia considers its foreign investment regime as an instrument to achieve GDP growth, 
diversify the economy and create job opportunities. It is important to point out that, during its accession to the WTO, Saudi Arabia has already made very liberal and extensive investment commitments on a number of important services. In  order to improve the investment environment 
and enhance predictability and certainty for foreign investors, the Saudi Arabian General 
Investment Authority SAGIA has amended its regulation in 2014 and allowed the participation of foreign investors in mining, petrochemicals, gas and communications sectors. It is important to 
point out that in order to improve transparency and to aid investors, SAGIA published, in 
August 2015, the second edition of its Services Manual that provides necessary information and support regarding the requirements for licenses, fees , and cost of subscribing to services provided 
by SAGIA. For further information regarding SAG IA’s extensive services to investors, we 
encourage all Members to refer SAGIA’s official website (www.sagia.gov.sa). 
5.12.  Some questions were also raised about the customs procedures. It is worth noting that 
Saudi Arabia attaches utmost importance to trade facilitation, simplification, pre-arrival clearance 
of goods and the enhancement of the external Elec tronic Data Interchange (EDI). With regard to 
the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, it is currently in its final stage. We have also 
undertaken other trade facilitation initiatives such as the adoption of the Unified Guide for Customs 
Procedures at First Points of Entry to facilitate customs procedures across the GCC Customs Union 
and established a programme of Authorized Economic Operators. 
5.13.  On technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, some Members 
raised several questions and concerns. I would like to reiterate that Saudi Arabia adheres to the 
transparency provisions in the development an d implementation of TBT and SPS measures and 
remains committed to following these in conformity  with the respective agreements of the WTO. I 
would also like to underline that more than 90% of Saudi Arabia's standards are aligned with 
international standards. In addition, Saudi SPS related procedures, such as import regulations, 
have been updated to facilitate trading in line with WTO (SPS-TBT) agreements.  
5.14.  A number of questions were raised relating to our government procurement. Let me 
reassure Members that Saudi Arabia's government procurement framework is based on the 
principles of efficiency, transparency, non-discrimination and fairness. Regarding our accession to the revised Government Procurement Agreement, as indicated in our report, a study to assess the 
pros and cons of acceding to this agreement is being under process. 
5.15.  With regard to intellectual property rights, some Members raised questions about our IPR 
related issues. Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the promotion and the protection of the intellectual property rights to ensure a predic table and healthy business environment facing new 
global challenges and attracting foreign direct investment. It should be emphasized that the 
current IPR legislations in Saudi Arabia are in line with the international standards, particularly TRIPS Agreement.  
5.16.  Furthermore, the Kingdom has become a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the 
Patent Law Treaty since 2013. Saudi Arabia is also proceeding to strengthen the Law of Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Designs. We observe a 
remarkable increase in the number of IPR applications in Saudi Arabia. The number of patent 
applications has significantly increased from 94 applications in 2000 to more than 2400 in 2015, approximately 70% of them are foreign applican ts. The average pendency time now is about 
24 months, which is in line with the international norms.  
5.17.  We would like to assure Members and our trading partners that Saudi Arabia is committed 
to further developing its IPR system and enforcem ent, enhance the public awareness activities in WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  the field of IPR and strengthen the capacities of all government-related institutions responsible for 
the protection of intellectual property.   
5.18.  In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our commitment to the rules of the multilateral 
trading system and our continued efforts to maintain a free and transparent trading regime.  
5.19.  I also would like to thank once again the Chairperson, our discussant, Members, and the 
TPR Division for their time and effort to make our review a productive and interesting exercise.  
5.20.  Special thanks go to my colleagues from the capital for their tireless efforts to undertake 
successfully this task from the initial to the end. 
DISCUSSANT 5.21.  If you recall, during my opening statem ent, I concluded my remarks by launching the 
question on how we, as WTO Members, could help Saudi Arabia to achieve its goal of becoming a 
knowledge-based economy. I launched this question hoping that the Trade Policy Review exercise 
would give us some answers and I believe it did. 
5.22.  Members acknowledged the economic growth and stability achieved by Saudi Arabia during 
the review period and their active participation in the WTO. They also highlighted the positive 
reforms that the Kingdom has taken since their last TPR, such as the opening of certain sectors to foreign direct investment, the privatization of public companies, the improvement of their 
competition and intellectual property regimes, and the simplification of custom procedures. 
Members commended Saudi Arabia as well for havi ng a simple and predictable trade regime with 
low average bound and applied rates and for not applying contingency measures. 
5.23.  The diversification and transformation of  the Saudi economy to a knowledge-based one is 
an objective that Members also support, in particular given the current context of low oil prices. 
However, it is an ongoing process with many challenges, and Members have also pointed out further reforms and improvements in Saudi Arabia’s trade regime that could be taken into 
consideration. The complexity of import and export  procedures is an issue that was signalled by 
several Members, in particular due to the lack of clarity regarding SPS and TBT requirements. Greater transparency in this area would be a welcomed development. Further improvements of 
Saudi Arabia's customs and licensing regimes were also suggested, including the ratification of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. Achieving greater liberalization in areas such as government procurement and information technology could also boost the diversification and transformation process. Adherence to the Government Procurement Agreement and the expansion of the 
Information Technology Agreement would definitively help in this regard. Finally, given the need to 
diversify away from the production of oil, Members also suggested greater promotion of renewable energy sources, including the avoidance of fuel subsidies. 
5.24.  I encourage Saudi Arabia to continue through its reform process towards diversification and 
transformation to a knowledge based economy. It would be very appealing to come back in 2020 to the Kingdom’s third Trade Policy Review, and list these last suggestions not as challenges to be 
overcome but as achievements in their road to success. Thank you. 
EUROPEAN
 UNION 
5.25.  Let me first express our sincere appreciation to the delegation of Saudi Arabia for the timely 
replies provided and for the comprehensive presentation on Monday and today. 
5.26.  The EU notes that this review has been very helpful for better understanding the reforms 
carried out since 2010. EU encourages Saudi Arabia to take duly into account the concerns expressed by several Members in respect to the need to diversify further the economy and to 
improve the investment climate. 
5.27.  EU has submitted a couple of follow-up ques tions concerning the intellectual property rights 
and we look forward to the replies in due course. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  TERRITOIRE  DOUANIER  DISTINCT  DE TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  ET MATSU 
5.28.  Tout d'abord, le Territoire Douanier Distinct de Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen et Matsu souhaite 
remercier la délégation du Royaume de l'Arabie saoudite pour les réponses qu'elle a fournies à nos questions écrites, ainsi que pour sa contribution à la séance de ce matin et à l'exercice qui se 
déroule cette semaine et a été préparé depuis plusieurs mois. 
5.29.  Nous espérons que cet examen des politiques commerciales de l'Arabie saoudite aura été 
l'occasion pour le pays de recueillir des observations utiles et pour les autres Membres de l'OMC de 
recueillir des observations sur les politiques et mesures commerciales de l'Arabie Saoudite. 
5.30.  Nous encourageons le Royaume à poursuivre ses efforts afin de faciliter le commerce 
notamment à simplifier les prescriptions relatives aux importations et aux exportations et les procédures douanières, et à améliorer de façon durable son environnement économique général. 
5.31.  Nous souhaiterions réitérer notre espoir de voir l'Arabie saoudite diversifier son économie en 
encourageant l'investissement et la concurrence. 
5.32.  Enfin, pour terminer, le Territoire Douani er Distinct de Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen et Matsu 
salue les efforts de la Mission Permanente de l'Arabie saoudite sous la direction de S.E. Monsieur 
l'Ambassadeur Al Otaibi. Nous remercions également le commentateur, S.E. Monsieur l'Ambassadeur Molinari, pour ses commentaires très pertinents. WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  This second Trade Policy Review has come at an important moment for the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia. For several years, before and after the last review, high oil prices had allowed the economy and Government revenues to grow strongly and public debt to fall. Since 2014, however, the sharp 
decline in oil prices has reversed this trend. The fiscal deficit stood at 15% of GDP in 2015.  
6.2.  The challenges facing Saudi Arabia and the measures taken to respond to these challenges 
were clearly acknowledged by Members and addr essed by the Saudi delegation, headed by 
H.E. Mr. Abdolazeez Al Otaibi (Ambassador, Pe rmanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia to the WTO) while our discussant, H.E. Mr. Alvaro Cedeño Molinari (Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the WTO), greatly helped our discussion with his analysis and assessment of the Kingdom's economic and trade policies. The questions and 
comments from the 43 delegations that spoke on Monday, and the responses from the Saudi 
delegation, also contributed to a very useful discussion. 
6.3.  Among the specific issues raised, economic diversification was without doubt a prominent 
one. As many delegations noted, this was a matter of priority in Saudi Arabia's 9th and 10th 
Development Plans, and to some extent government policies seemed to be working: some delegations listed, for instance, plastics, refined hydrocarbons, and manufactured goods, along 
with oil as their main imports from Saudi Arabia. However, the fact remained that oil industry still 
dominated the economy and related export earnings , and still made up the bulk of Government 
revenue. Many Members encouraged Saudi Arabia to st ep up its diversification efforts, not only to 
mitigate the immediate impact of lowering oil prices, but also to prepare for a less oil-dependent 
future, as countries moved to alternative energy sources and tried to reduce their carbon 
footprints for sustainable development.  
6.4.  One way to promote diversification is to improve the trade and investment environment. In 
this connection, some delegations noted that Saudi Arabia had a relatively simple trading regime 
with low tariffs on most products. They welcomed in particular the simplified import/export procedures and the notification of Category A commitments under the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement, and were pleased to know that ratifica tion of the Agreement was at an advance stage. 
However, they also pointed out that more could be done, and that continuing reform, such as the extension of the pilot project for the single window could help reduce the burden of customs procedures. Some delegations also raised concerns about sanitary and phytosanitary measures, 
technical requirements and standards, and how they were developed and applied. 
6.5.  On the investment side, Members acknowledged that Saudi Arabia had a generally open 
regime, and that more sectors had been open to foreign investment since the last review. 
Nevertheless, various restrictions still existe d, and Members were still concerned about the 
complex licensing regime, minimum Saudi investment requirements, and requirements to employ Saudi nationals. There was also interest in the privatization programme for state-owned 
enterprises. 
6.6.  Some delegations called on Saudi Arabia to accede to the Government Procurement 
Agreement and the expanded Information Technology  Agreement. They were pleased to note from 
Saudi Arabia's opening statement that relevant legislation was being reviewed, and that an impact 
assessment on joining the Government Procurement Agreement was under way. 
6.7.  As several Members pointed out, a knowle dge-based economy would benefit from a strong 
system for the registration and protection of inte llectual property rights. They noted the progress 
made by Saudi Arabia in this regard, including the ongoing review to bring current laws into line 
with the TRIPS Agreement.  
6.8.  This is only one example of Saudi Arabia's initiatives to ensure compliance with the WTO 
Agreements. Indeed, since its accession to the WTO in 2005, the Kingdom has attached great 
importance to its membership, and has taken an increasingly active role in regular committees, in negotiations, as well as in dispute settlement as a third party, demonstrating its confidence in, and commitment to the multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/W/103 • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
 
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  This Trade Policy Review will be successfully concluded in a month's time when Saudi Arabia 
replies to all the outstanding questions, if any, but I hope the many constructive comments that the Discussant and Members have offered at this revi ew will continue to help Saudi Arabia further 
develop its trade and economic policies, so that come the next TPR, it can show that it has made 
further progress in diversifying the economy and improving the business climate in the country, 
and that it remains a strong advocate of the multilateral trading system.  
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