Common VAT Agreement of the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely:

The United Arab Emirates,

The Kingdom of Bahrain,

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

The Sultanate of Oman,

The State of Qatar, and

The State of Kuwait,

Pursuant to the objectives set out in the Statute of the Gulf Cooperation Council aimed at the importance of developing existing cooperation relations amongst them in various fields;

In line with the objectives of the GCC Economic Agreement of 2001, which seeks to reach advanced stages of economic integration, and develop similar economic and financial legislation and legal foundations amongst member states, and with a desire to promote the GCC economy and proceed with the measures that have been taken to establish economic unity amongst Member States; and

Pursuant to the Supreme Council decision at its 36th meeting (Riyadh – 9-10 December, 2015) with respect to the common imposition by the GCC States of VAT at a rate of 5%, and delegating to the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee the completion of all the requirements necessary to pass the (Common VAT Agreement of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council) and signing it. And whereas this Agreement aims to establish a common legal framework for the introduction of a general tax on consumption in the GCC known as (VAT) levied on the import and supply of Goods and Services at each stage of production and distribution.

have agreed to the following: