• Agrofood
  • Business & Economy
  • Construction
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • IFP Events
  • IFP Insider
    • Event News
    • Interviews
  • العربية
IFP Info - News
  • Agrofood
    • All
    • Agriculture
    • Environment
    • Food
    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

    Trending Tags

    • Business & Economy
      • All
      • Business
      • Communication
      • Digital
      • Economy
      • Finance
      • Trade
      • Transport & Logistics
      Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

      Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

      GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

      GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

      New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

      Top 10 listed companies in the Middle East

      Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

      Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

      Trending Tags

      • CES 2017
      • Election Results
      • eSports
    • Construction
      • All
      • Infrastructure
      • Real Estate
      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

      Trending Tags

      • Energy
        • All
        • Oil & Gas
        • Power & Electricity
        • Renewable Energy
        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

        Trending Tags

        • Healthcare
          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

          COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

        • Hospitality
          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

          Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

        • IFP Events

          Project Oman

          Oman Agrofood

          Food Africa

          Pacprocess MEA

          Oman Agrofood

          Project Qatar

          Project Qatar

          Hospitality Qatar

          Hospitality Qatar

        • IFP Insider
          • Event News
          • Interviews
        • العربية
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Agrofood
          • All
          • Agriculture
          • Environment
          • Food
          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          Egypt’s food industries contribute 24.5% of GDP

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Ministry signs agreement to support Oman’s honey industry

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Local, Italian companies partner up to establish food retail chain in Egypt

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Egypt’s agriculture minister stresses importance of boosting intra-regional trade cooperation among African states

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Communication
            • Digital
            • Economy
            • Finance
            • Trade
            • Transport & Logistics
            Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

            Profits at top Saudi banks jump 17.6% in Q1

            GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

            GCC can create 600,000 tech jobs and add US$255 billion to GDP by 2030

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

            New study reveals that UAE is most competitive economy in the Arab world

            Top 10 listed companies in the Middle East

            Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

            Egypt’s Trade minister, Hungarian ambassador discuss economic relations

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            Oman Construction Equipment Industry to 2028

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            $36mln contract for construction of Duqm fisheries complex

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            What will Qatar do with its World Cup infrastructure after FIFA 2022 ends?

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Madayn working on major Oman industrial city projects

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Foundation stone laid for new 700-bed hospital is Salalah, Oman

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Iraq set to award new Faw Port deals

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              Suez Canal expects US$3.5 billion in revenues in H1

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              UAE and Egypt’s consortium to buy African renewables firm Lekela Power

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Fitch revises Saudi Aramco’s outlook to positive from stable

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Investments in renewables in Egypt reach LE6 bn: Official

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              Egypt signs 8 gas exploration contracts worth $934mn over 15 months

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              JGC lands $3.7bn Iraq refinery upgradation project deal

              Trending Tags

              • Healthcare
                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                Coronavirus: UAE conducting human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                GSK to develop plant-based COVID-19 vaccine with Canada’s Medicago

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                Egyptian COVID-19 drug to be on market in two weeks: Health Ministry

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE sends medical aid to Iraq to fight COVID-19

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                UAE launches phase III trial of inactivated Covid vaccine

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

                COVID-19 vaccine could be available by autumn: Oxford University

              • Hospitality
                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Qatar’s hospitality sector peaks despite turbulent 2020

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Accor inks deal to manage first Swissôtel-branded hotel and residential project in Qatar

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Staycations to stimulate Qatar’s hospitality sector

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

                Quarantine rule to give a boost to Qatar’s hospitality industry in Q3: CWQ report

              • IFP Events

                Project Oman

                Oman Agrofood

                Food Africa

                Pacprocess MEA

                Oman Agrofood

                Project Qatar

                Project Qatar

                Hospitality Qatar

                Hospitality Qatar

              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية
              No Result
              View All Result
              IFP Info - News
              No Result
              View All Result

              Saudi Arabia implements tax to encourage property development

              OBG

              August 3, 2016
              in Economy, Infrastructure, Real Estate
              0

              Recent measures to levy a tax on empty plots of land in Saudi Arabia are intended to kick-start the residential property sector and tackle the Kingdom’s housing shortage.

              The government is targeting so-called white land – undeveloped blocks of property that mark large areas of Saudi Arabia’s cities – by constructing an enhanced regulatory framework for developers as part of the Kingdom’s National Transformation Plan (NTP).

              In mid-June the cabinet approved a series of regulations including the implementation of a 2.5% tax on these undeveloped zones for residential or commercial purposes.

              Between 40% and 50% of land within Saudi Arabia’s major cities remains vacant, according to local media reports, primarily due to companies and individuals building up land banks that in turn push up prices and lead to speculation.

              These new regulations, coupled with government plans to release state-owned land for development, are designed to tackle the housing shortage, lead to a drop in land prices and hopefully improve affordability for middle-income families, which account for more than two-thirds of the population, according to press reports.

              Phases of implementation
              Though an exact timetable has yet to be set out for the implementation of the tax, indications are that it will be introduced in stages.

              The levy will first be imposed on owners of undeveloped plots larger than 10,000 sq meters within certified master planned developments, followed by single owners of similarly sized blocks.

              In later stages, single landowners of smaller plots of developed land – land serviced with horizontal infrastructure such as roads and power but no vertical development ¬¬–  exceeding 5000 sq meters in the certified master planned developments and single landowners of plots exceeding 10,000 square meters in one city will be subject to the tax.

              Industry backs initiative
              While broadly welcomed by property developers and brokers, the new land tax is seen as just one step in broadening the home ownership base and encouraging more investment in the residential market.

              Further measures and support mechanisms, such as expanded mortgage laws, should be implemented to facilitate the full execution of the new law, according to Mowaffaq Al Hashimi, president of Saqifat Al Safa, a local property developer and real estate management firm.

              “The fees on vacant land should accelerate residential housing developments and reinvigorate the market, but like any other regulation, it should be stretched over a reasonable amount of time, rather than hurried throughout the course of a single year,” he told OBG.

              Boost to the economy
              In addition to increasing the number of housing units, the NTP also aims to broaden the base of the national economy.

              One of the NTP’s objectives is to raise the property sector’s contribution to GDP from 5% to 10% and increase the rate of annual growth in the industry from the current level of 4% to 7% by 2020. In line with the plan, the ministry of housing is also aiming to lift the current rate of home ownership from 47% to 52% by 2020.

              This would increase the Kingdom’s level of private asset holdings, while government plans to further liberalize access to credit, through providing funding, mortgage solutions and ownership schemes, will also serve to boost the sector.

              The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has already moved to facilitate access to finance by easing some of its restrictions on loan to value (LTV) on property transactions.

              In mid-March SAMA announced an amendment to the LTV ruling, lifting its credit ceiling from 70% to 85% for real estate finance companies, though the lower level remained in force for other lenders.

              This should help stimulate purchase activity and have a knock-on effect on the construction sector by making it easier for developers to attain building permits, while also strengthening the position of the real estate finance sector.

              If financing is readily available, the objectives set out in the NTP can be achieved, according to Riyad Ahmed Al Thagafi, CEO of real estate at Saudi Arabia-based AWJ Holding, who estimates investments in housing will cost between SR1trn ($266bn) and SR1.5trn ($400bn) over the course of the next 10 years.

              “Investment and growth in the residential sector have the capacity to generate employment, with small and medium-sized enterprises being first in line to benefit from the higher level of jobs creation,” Al Thagafi told OBG.
              Oxford Business Group
              3 August

              Previous Post

              LED market on track for double-digit growth in GCC

              Next Post

              Oil, banking and electricity sectors to be privatized in Egypt

              Next Post

              Oil, banking and electricity sectors to be privatized in Egypt

              News Letter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              Recent News

              Drupa 2024 is well on track

              Drupa 2024 is well on track

              July 19, 2022
              The halls are packed: This is interpack 2023

              The halls are packed: This is interpack 2023

              July 19, 2022
              The interpack alliance takes you to the Middle East and Africa – pacprocess MEA and Food Africa will take place in December

              The interpack alliance takes you to the Middle East and Africa – pacprocess MEA and Food Africa will take place in December

              July 18, 2022
              IFP Info – News

              The latest Middle East Business News & Events brought to you on a daily basis from multiple credible news portals around the world

              Follow Us

              Categories

              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Covid-19 Updates
              • Energy
              • Event News
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • Interviews

              Countries

              • Bahrain
              • Egypt
              • Iran
              • Iraq
              • Jordan
              • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
              • Kuwait
              • Lebanon
              • Oman
              • Other Africa
              • Other GCC
              • Other Middle East
              • Qatar
              • Syria
              • United Arab Emirates
              • Worldwide

              Newsletter

              Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

              *we hate spam as much as you do

              • About
              • Advertise
              • Privacy & Policy
              • Contact

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Agrofood
              • Business & Economy
              • Construction
              • Energy
              • Healthcare
              • Hospitality
              • IFP Events
              • IFP Insider
                • Event News
                • Interviews
              • العربية

              © 2018 IFP Group - All Rights Reserved / www.ifpexpo.com