Latest news with #SR50
Gulf Insider
13-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Shuts 10 Travel Offices Over Unlicensed Umrah Services
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has shut down 10 travel service offices in the capital city for operating without proper licenses and organising unauthorised Umrah and visitation packages, in a sweeping enforcement campaign aimed at strengthening regulatory compliance in the tourism sector. According to the ministry, violations included the use of unlicenced vehicles to transport pilgrims, as well as placing them in unauthorised accommodation facilities in Mecca and Medina. The crackdown is part of broader efforts to ensure that tourism-related activities across the Kingdom meet official licensing and operational standards. The inspections specifically targeted agencies that were either operating without permits or conducting activities beyond the scope of their approved services. Officials stressed that such practices pose serious risks to pilgrims and visitors, undermining the quality and safety of Saudi Arabia's growing tourism industry. 'The campaign aims to protect the rights of tourists and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of services in line with the national tourism strategy,' the ministry said in a statement. Legal penalties for violators range from fines of up to SR50,000, with repeat offenders facing sanctions of up to SR1 million, office closures, or both — depending on the severity of the infraction. The ministry urged all tourism operators to comply strictly with the terms of their licenses and called on the public to engage only with officially authorised agencies to ensure safe, reliable travel experiences. Tourists and residents are also encouraged to report violations or complaints related to hospitality services by calling the unified tourism hotline at 930.
Saudi Gazette
12-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Tourism Ministry shuts 10 unlicensed travel agencies in Riyadh
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Tourism has shut down 10 travel service offices in Riyadh for violating regulations, including operating without licenses and organizing unauthorized Umrah and visitation packages. The violations included transporting pilgrims using unlicensed vehicles and accommodating them in unauthorized hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah. The campaign is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to regulate tourism-related activities and ensure compliance with official licensing and operational standards across the Kingdom. According to the Ministry, the inspections targeted travel and tourism agencies operating without the required permits or outside the scope of their approved activities. The initiative aims to protect the rights of tourists and visitors while enhancing the overall quality of services in line with Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy. The Ministry confirmed that it will impose legal penalties on violators, including fines of up to SR50,000, which can rise to SR1 million for repeat offenses. Offices may also face closure or a combination of both penalties, depending on the severity of the infraction. Officials urged all licensed tourism operators to strictly adhere to the terms and requirements of their permits. The Ministry also called on the public to deal only with officially licensed agencies to safeguard their rights and ensure a safe and reliable travel experience. Tourists and residents are encouraged to report complaints or violations related to hospitality services by contacting the unified tourism call center at 930.
Gulf Insider
07-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Fines Up to SR100K for Electricity Meter Tampering
Saudi Arabia's Electricity Regulatory Authority has introduced sweeping amendments to its enforcement regulations, significantly increasing penalties for violations under the Kingdom's Electricity Law. The amendments, approved this week, include updated fine assessment mechanisms and stricter penalties based on the severity and circumstances of each infraction. Among the most notable amendments are steeper fines for tampering with electricity meters. Offenders now face penalties ranging from SR5,000 to SR100,000, depending on the breaker's amperage capacity. For example, tampering with a meter connected to a 100-amp or smaller breaker carries a SR5,000 fine, while tampering with one over 400 amps could incur the maximum SR100,000 penalty. Violations involving individuals who do not own the meter account or are not actual beneficiaries will automatically incur a SR50,000 fine — subject to increase if the violation is deemed serious or has been repeated more than twice, as per the criteria set by a designated committee. The amendments define 10 core violations, including failure to comply with the authority's directives in handling complaints (SR20,000) and failure by licensed entities to provide requested information (up to SR100,000). Other violations include SR2,000 fine for missing statutory deadlines related to electrical services, SR50,000 for non-compliance with performance standards, and SR3,000 for violations related to small-scale photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle charging frameworks. The new regulations also update procedures for assessing repair costs and compensation in cases of meter tampering. If a tampering incident causes a reduction in consumption, the responsible party must cover the cost of the unrecorded electricity as well as repair expenses. For residential users, repair costs range between SR250 and SR1,150 if the meter remains intact, and SR1,150 to SR4,050 if a replacement is needed. In non-residential cases, fines range from SR300 to SR2,050 (no replacement), and SR1,150 to SR4,950 (with replacement). A new provision targets direct, unmetered connections to the national grid. In such cases, violators must cover the value of unregistered consumption and pay for grid repairs based on the cable's diameter. Fines range from SR1,300 to SR17,000 for residential and SR1,700 to SR33,000 for non-residential connections. The authority also introduced requirements for service providers to remove violations, repair damage, and refer cases for compensation claims. Providers must complete all legal procedures related to enforcement and cost recovery. Also Read: Riyadh Financial Hub Earns Guinness Record For 15.46 km Pedestrian Skyway
Saudi Gazette
05-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Fines for tampering with electricity meter range between SR5000 and SR100000
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority has approved new amendments to the regulations for detecting, proving, and adjudicating violations in the provisions of the Electricity Law. These amendments include increased penalties and updated fine assessment mechanisms after examining the nature and circumstances of each violation. The authority emphasized in the amendments the importance of considering the severity of the violation and aggravating circumstances when determining penalties. The penalties include fines that range between SR5000 and SR100000 for those found guilty of tampering with electricity meter. The fine was set at SR5,000 if the breaker capacity is 100 amps or less, and it will raise to SR15,000 for breaker capacity between 100 and 150 amps. The fine for tampering with the electricity meter with a breaker capacity between 150 and 400 amps is SR50,000, and the fine would reach SR100,000 if the capacity is more than 400 amps. The amendments stipulate that the fine for tampering with an electricity meter or any of its accessories shall be SR 50,000 if the violator does not own the account for the meter in question or is not an actual beneficiary of it. This amount may be exceeded if the consequences of the violation are proven to be serious or have been repeated more than twice, in accordance with criteria determined by the competent committee. The authority noted that the amendments cover ten basic violations, most notably failure to implement the authority's directives regarding handling complaints, which carries a fine of SR20,000, and failure of the licensee to cooperate in providing the authority with the required information, which carries a fine of up to SR100,000. The amendments also include a fine of SR2,000 for failure to comply with the statutory deadlines stipulated in the regulations relating to electrical services provided to consumers, and a further fine of SR50,000 for failure to comply with the authority's performance standards, which the licensee must adhere to. The amendments also included other violations, such as failure to comply with the regulatory framework for small-scale photovoltaic solar energy systems and failure to comply with the regulatory framework for electric vehicle charging activities, each of which carries a fine of SR3000. The authority also amended the regulations for determining repair costs and assessing compensation for lost benefits to the utility or third parties due to tampering with the electricity meter. If the tampering results in a malfunction, interruption, or reduction in electricity consumption, the beneficiary shall be required to pay the value of the unrecorded consumption and the costs of repairing any damage to the meter or any of its accessories. If the incident does not require meter replacement, the fixed value of repair costs and lost utility for residential consumption ranges between SR250 and SR1,150, depending on the breaker's amperage capacity, which ranges between 100 and 400. If the incident requires meter replacement, the fine ranges between SR1,150 and SR4,050, depending on the same capacity. For non-residential consumption, if meter replacement is required, the fine ranges from SR300 to SR2,050, while it ranges from SR1,150 to SR4,950 if the incident does not require meter replacement. The amendments added a new article stipulating that in the event of a direct connection to the electricity grid without a meter, the beneficiary is required to pay the value of the unregistered consumption, in addition to the costs of repairing any damage to the grid or any of its accessories, depending on the diameter of the connecting cable. Fines in this case range from SR1,300 to SR17,000 in the residential sector, while they range from SR1,700 to SR33,000 in the non-residential sector. The amendments also require the service provider to remove the violation and repair the resulting damage after completing documentation procedures. They also require the service provider to refer the violation to the authority to claim the repair costs and lost utility benefits, and to complete the necessary legal procedures in this regard.
Leaders
18-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Hail Region Seals SR8.5 Billion Investment Deals to Spur Growth
Saudi Arabia's Hail region has secured investment agreements worth SR8.5 billion ($2.27 billion) during its flagship investment forum, advancing the Kingdom's push to unlock regional growth and attract private capital. Spanning agriculture, mining, tourism, and logistics, these agreements form part of a broader SR50 billion portfolio of opportunities unveiled at the event. Vision 2030 Fuels Regional Diversification Saudi Arabia now prioritizes untapped potential in smaller regions, luring investors to diversify beyond urban hubs, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for a resilient, inclusive economy. The Emir of Hail witnessed the launch of SR8.5 billion in partnerships between government agencies and investors to boost economic growth. Governor Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad emphasized Hail's strategic advantages, including its connectivity across five regions, fertile land, and infrastructure development. Organized under the theme 'Be Part of the Promising Future,' the forum attracted leaders like Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih and Deputy Environment Minister Mansour Al-Mushaiti. Over 125 investment opportunities, including 14 strategic projects worth SR34.2 billion, aim to empower local businesses. Agricultural Investments Take Center Stage Al-Mushaiti hailed Hail as a prime agricultural hub, citing SR7 billion in funding from the Agricultural Development Fund. The region now contributes over 10% of Saudi Arabia's agricultural GDP. Notably, Hail launched the Middle East's largest trout salmon project, targeting a 50% import reduction and SR5 billion in sales within a decade. Furthermore, new red meat investments will raise self-sufficiency to 61%, while a poultry project expanded to SR11 billion with a recent SR4.5 billion injection. The Saudi Reef program has allocated SR800 million to support local farmers, alongside SR1.2 billion in water and environmental projects under the Saudi Green Initiative. Al-Falih highlighted Hail's SR1.44 billion in foreign investment, with 177 licenses issued to global firms. Over 100 opportunities worth SR50 billion are now on the 'Invest Saudi' platform. A new MoU between the Investment Ministry and Hail Region Development Authority will streamline sustainable growth efforts. The forum also featured nine panel sessions covering 42 investment themes, focusing on tourism, quality of life, agriculture, logistics, energy, and education. Short link : Post Views: 2
