RIYADH, March 27 — Saudi Arabia today cut taxes on oil companies in a major move that could attract investments in its energy giant Aramco, expected to be offered to investors in 2018. 

King Salman decreed a new set of income tax rates on oil companies working in the kingdom, ranging from 50 per cent to 85 per cent depending on the firms’ investments, after it was 85 per cent across the board.

The royal decree published today said companies investing more that 375 billion riyals (RM441 billion) will be subject to a 50-per cent tax rate.

“Saudi Aramco’s tax rate is reduced from 85 per cent to 50 per cent, bringing it in line with international benchmarks,” the government-owned oil giant said on its Twitter account following the decree.

Saudi Arabia plans to sell five per cent of Aramco next year, as part of efforts to build up a large sovereign wealth fund. The sale falls within the kingdom’s strategy to diversify its oil-dependent economy away from hydrocarbons.

“The royal decree concerning taxes is in the interest of the kingdom, its citizens and future generations,” said Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih, whose country is the world’s biggest oil exporter.

Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser said the royal order “is positive for the kingdom’s economic diversification,” and in line with the “Vision 2030” for economic reforms led by the king’s son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The kingdom has intensified economic reform efforts after oil prices plunged last year below US$40 per barrel from above US$100 in 2014. 

The government made unprecedented cuts to fuel and utilities subsidies in a country long-accustomed to some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world.

The budget deficit last year amounted to US$79 billion, down from the record deficit of US$97 billion registered in 2015. 

The energy minister insisted the country’s oil wealth would remain sovereign despite the sale of Aramco shares, and that a drop in tax revenues would be compensated by investment returns.

“The hydrocarbon resources of Saudi Arabia remain sovereign and any reduction in tax revenues” will be “replaced by stable dividend payments and other sources of revenue from hydrocarbon producers”, Falih said. 

Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan also gave assurances that the tax cuts would “not have any negative impact on the state’s ability to provide services”. — AFP