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The Shura Council Holds its Thirty-third Regular Session of the Third Year of the Eighth Cycle

At the decision of the Ministry of Commerce, the Shura Council, called for studying the feasibility of implementing “requiring establishment owners to obtain prior approvals from the ministry to increase commodity prices" to support its price control mechanisms in the Saudi market. The thirty-third regular session of the third year of the eighth cycle was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Mishal bin Fahm Al-Sulami, the Deputy President of the Council. The council made its decision after hearing the views presented by the chairman of the Trade and Investment Committee, His Excellency Dr. Fahad Al-Takhifi, regarding the members' comments and opinions expressed towards the Ministry of Commerce's annual report for the fiscal year 1443/1444 AH, following its discussion in a previous session in coordination with relevant authorities to find necessary legislative solutions in the automotive sales sector and after-sales services to ensure an increase in car supply to cover local demand, reduce costs, and requirements on car agencies. The council urged the ministry to equip it with the necessary tools to develop business platforms serving the business sector in coordination with relevant entities, including services for foreign investors to enhance confidence in the commercial and investment environment. Additionally, it coordinates with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to study the development of supply chains for local agricultural products to ensure their economic feasibility and consumer protection. Furthermore, the council urged the Ministry of Commerce to coordinate with the Saudi Central Bank to enhance oversight mechanisms for sales points and e-commerce platforms to protect consumers from commercial fraud and deception. During the session, the Shura Council issued its decision on the annual report of the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization for the fiscal year 1444/1443 AH after hearing a report from the Trade and Investment Committee presented by its chairman, His Excellency Dr. Fahad Al-Takhifi. The council assigned the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization to build a technological platform for classifying the safety level of vehicles in the Saudi market according to standards that meet consumer needs. It also assigned the organization to coordinate with relevant entities to review the activities of the Saudi Product Safety Initiative and its targets to align with developments in traditional and electronic commerce and enhance the safety of consumer products in the Saudi market. Additionally, the council worked on reassessment of the targets and capabilities of the quality infrastructure support and awareness program for local manufacturers to align with the national strategies and programs in enhancing the national industry. Furthermore, the Shura Council discussed the annual report of the Environment Fund for the fiscal year 1443/1444 AH after hearing a report from the Water, Agriculture, and Environment Committee presented by Dr. Khaled Zubair. The council requested MAEE to coordinate with the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, and to develop research in innovative water efficiency and conservation technologies. Additionally, the council discussed the annual report of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for the fiscal year 1443/1444 AH after hearing a report from the Education and Scientific Research Committee presented by its chairwoman, Dr. Aisha Zakari. After presenting the committee's report for discussion, the council members expressed several comments and opinions. Dr. Yasser Hafez, a member of the Shura Council, called for supporting the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to establish start-up companies as an investment arm to provide financial, scientific, and technical support and to coordinate with the Saudi Space Authority and relevant entities to establish a research laboratory and a base for launching spacecraft in southern Saudi Arabia. Eng. Nabeel Al-Braheem, another member, praised the efforts of the city, especially through the King Abdulaziz Center for Astronomy and Navigation, in meeting the nation's needs in the field of astronomy through research, studies, updating astronomical applications and various monitoring devices, and establishing astronomical observatories, providing valuable services with national and efficient hands. Likewise, the council discussed the annual report of the Endowment Fund for the fiscal year 1444/1443 AH after hearing a report from the Islamic Affairs and Judicial Affairs Committee presented by its chairman, Dr. Ali Al-Shahrani. Following the presentation of the committee's report for discussion, council members shared various comments and opinions. Dr. Nasser Al-Mousa, a member of the Shura Council, called for evaluating the Endowment Fund by a neutral entity to identify the challenges it faces and provide appropriate solutions. Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, another council member, asked the fund to study activating deterrent measures against those who refuse or evade paying alimony with relevant parliamentary and judicial authorities, given that with holding alimony is a form of neglect, and therefore constitutes a punishable offense. Dr. Atiya Al-Atawi, in his intervention, asked the Endowment Fund to address the decrease in the collection rate of alimony amounts and to implement the necessary mechanisms to increase the collection rate. At the end of the discussion, the committee requested additional time to review members' opinions and proposals and will present its viewpoint in a subsequent session.