By Abdul Rahman Al-Misbahi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The results of a study on the impact of the fees on the expatriates will be announced within a month, Minister of Commerce and Investment Majed Al-Qasabi has said.

“The results of this study will be announced within 30 days from today,” Al-Qasabi said in a TV interview, which was aired on Monday.

It will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers, he said.

Qassabi said the Cabinet will look into the advantages and challenges that the issue poses.

“The study benefits the country and our nation,” he said, adding, “The government had decided to keep the fees and that the decision is fixed so far, but at the same time it will be comprehensively studied and developments will be reviewed.”

The minister denied that the imposition of various fees has angered the expatriates and it was keeping them away from work in the private sector. He said the results of the study would be in the interest of the country.

“A number of commercial establishments were closed down due to changes in trade regulations and because many people are now inclined to carry out their business transactions through the Internet,” Al-Qasabi said.

Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan told a post-budget press conference last week that there’s no intention to change the expat fees.

The expat fees were introduced last year.