About GAFT

The General Authority for Foreign Trade was established pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. (211) dated 25/4/1440 AH, corresponding to 1/1/2019 AD, regarding the establishment of a General Authority for Foreign Trade with a legal personality called (the General Authority for Foreign Trade) that enjoys financial and administrative independence. Cabinet Resolution No. (741) dated 23/11/1441 AH, corresponding to 7/14/2020 AD, was also issued regarding approval of the organization of the General Authority for Foreign Trade with the aim of enhancing the Kingdom’s international trade gains and defending its interests in the areas of foreign trade, thus contributing to the development of its national economy. 

The Authority is responsible for all tasks and activities related to developing foreign trade policies and strategies in coordination and alignment with the public and private sectors. It also represents the Kingdom in regional and international organizations and forums related to foreign trade affairs, international trade relations and the settlement of related disputes, negotiations of free trade agreements, bilateral, regional and international agreements, and protecting industry in the Kingdom from harm resulting from harmful practices in international trade by applying the mechanisms of trade remedies in the World Trade Organization agreements, which include (anti-dumping, subsidies, and preventive protective measures). It also supervises the tasks of the Saudi negotiating team and the technical teams emanating from it, and supervises commercial attachés abroad and joint Saudi-foreign business councils.

Supporting the national economic development through maximizing foreign trade gains.

In order to accomplish the objectives for which it was established, GAFT shall take on the following mandates:

1. Setting relevant policies, strategies, plans, and programs in coordination with relevant agencies.
2. Representing the Kingdom in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and assuming relevant powers and duties, including:
3. Participating in bilateral negotiations with countries seeking to accede to the WTO, in coordination with competent government agencies.
4. Following up on the fulfillment of the Kingdom’s commitments towards the WTO.
5. Monitoring the fulfillment of other member countries’ commitments towards the WTO.
6. Coordinating between the various agencies in the Kingdom with regard to international trade.
7. Following up on the settlement of commercial disputes filed before the WTO to which the Kingdom is a party.
8. Coordinate stances and policies with WTO member states.
9. Supervising the duties of the Saudi Negotiating Team and their technical teams, and coordinating and approving offers, negotiating stances, and matters related to the WTO, free trade agreements, and bilateral, regional, and international agreements.
10. Facilitating the access of the Kingdom's exports into foreign markets and its access to new markets, and addressing any challenges arising therefrom, in coordination with the relevant government agencies.
11. Undertaking duties and responsibilities of trade remedies and defending Kingdom's interests locally and internationally.
12. Providing the component authority with proposals relating to customs tariff for completion of required procedures.
13. Managing the Kingdom's international relations in foreign trade in coordination with relevant authorities.
14. Overseeing commercial attaches.
15. Overseeing joint business councils with other countries.
16. Raising awareness of the public and private sectors regarding the Kingdom's foreign trade commitments and any changes thereto.
17. Representing the Kingdom in regional and international organizations and forums relating to foreign trade.
18. Holding relevant conferences, seminars, and meetings in accordance with the applicable procedures.
19. Conducting studies and research, preparing reports, establishing databases relating to GAFT's activities, and exchanging information with local, regional, and international bodies. This shall include studying the economic impact of concluding free trade agreements with countries and economic groups, in coordination with relevant agencies.
20. Proposing and amending laws and regulations relating to GAFT's jurisdiction in according with applicable statutory procedures.

Believing in our great leadership, while also fulfilling the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. GAFT is promoting and enabling KSA foreign trade by developing trade policies. Developing trade policies will facilitate the entry of Saudi exports into foreign markets, and its access to new markets for national products, develop capabilities in the foreign trade community jointly with the public and private sectors, and maximize the role of the private sector as an essential partner. In order to implement the finest international practices in creating a brighter future for our nation, GAFT is also striving to strengthen the relationship with stakeholders and empowering business environment. Moreover, to accomplish the objectives for which it was established, GAFT prepared the National Foreign Trade Strategy (2022 -2026) and submitted it for approval in accordance with applicable statutory procedures.