The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) and the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) have signed a Service-Level Agreement (SLA) to regulate joint activities as well as create and execute service-level operations and automation mechanisms at Jeddah Islamic Port to optimize efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance the customer experience.
The agreement was co-signed in the presence of Engineer Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, ZATCA Governor, and Omar Bin Talal Hariri, Mawani President.
The agreement is a crucial component of Mawani and ZATCA's integrative collaboration to define operational procedures and services that adhere to top-notch operational standards under rules and regulations that govern each entity's operations in line with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), which is to strengthen public-private partnerships and position the Kingdom as a major hub for logistics.
The agreement, which will soon be implemented at additional ports, will play a crucial role in supporting the Fasah platform as well as improving operational effectiveness and enhancing competitiveness at Saudi ports. The partnership also aims to develop to regulate joint activities in ports, integrate roles and responsibilities, outline service level requirements and escalation mechanisms for both parties, specify means to address operational challenges, and develop and perform service-level operations to increase operational efficiency and consolidate integration between Mawani, ZATCA, and concerned stakeholders in future port operations.
The latest agreement comes as part of the mutual efforts to enhance the business environment of Saudi ports and realize its strategic goals of facilitating trade and achieving customer satisfaction besides driving economic diversification and creating an attractive investment climate.