32 Projects Open for Public Feedback via Istitlaa Platform

The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center (SCBC) has opened 32 economic and development projects for public feedback through its unified electronic Public Consultation Platform, Istitlaa, in cooperation with 19 government entities. The projects span sectors including public security, municipal affairs, and environmental protection, inviting stakeholders to share their proposals before final approval. The initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to transparency and participatory governance.

Context and Background

The Istitlaa platform, launched by the SCBC, serves as a centralized digital hub for public consultation on draft laws, regulations, and similar projects. By engaging citizens, government entities, and the private sector, the platform aims to foster a culture of transparency and collaborative decision-making. The 32 projects now open for feedback cover a wide range of economic and development affairs, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of enhancing government efficiency and promoting sustainable development. This latest batch follows previous successful consultation rounds that have shaped key regulatory reforms.

Key Details

Among the highlighted projects is the Public Security Directorate’s “Proposed Amendment Project to the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law.” This initiative aims to enhance public safety, protect lives and property, improve safety for road users, and enhance the traffic environment, contributing to a reduction in fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents. Public feedback is open until October 15, 2026.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has presented the “Table of Violations of the Public Facilities Protection Law within the Scope of Municipal Jurisdiction.” This project seeks to enhance compliance with laws and regulations, protect public facilities from encroachment, and ensure their proper use. Feedback is also open until October 15, 2026.

Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has introduced “The Executive Regulations for the Rules Related to the Basics of Calculating Compensation for Environmental Damages.” This project aims to establish a unified regulatory framework for assessing environmental damage and calculating compensation, defining principles, criteria, and technical mechanisms. Public feedback is open until October 15, 2026.

Implications and Impact

The introduction of these projects through Istitlaa underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing transparency in the legislative environment. By involving the public in shaping regulations, the Kingdom ensures that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of its people and businesses. This participatory approach not only improves the quality of legislation but also builds trust between the government and stakeholders. The feedback gathered will help refine these projects, leading to more effective implementation and greater compliance. Moreover, the platform’s emphasis on economic and development affairs supports Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to diversify its economy and create a business-friendly environment.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This initiative directly supports Vision 2030’s objectives of fostering a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. By promoting public consultation and regulatory transparency, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its governance framework and enabling sustainable growth. The Istitlaa platform exemplifies how digital transformation can enhance civic engagement and streamline legislative processes, ultimately contributing to the Kingdom’s long-term prosperity and global competitiveness.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Istitlaa platform?

A1. The Istitlaa platform is a unified electronic public consultation platform launched by the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center (SCBC). It allows stakeholders to provide feedback on draft laws and regulations before approval, promoting transparency and participatory governance.

Q2. How many projects are currently open for feedback?

A2. There are 32 projects related to economic and development affairs currently open for public feedback on the Istitlaa platform, in cooperation with 19 government entities.

Q3. What is the deadline for submitting feedback on most projects?

A3. Public feedback on the highlighted projects—including the traffic law amendment, municipal violations table, and environmental compensation regulations—is open until October 15, 2026.

Q4. Which entity proposed the traffic law amendment project?

A4. The Public Security Directorate proposed the “Proposed Amendment Project to the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law.” It aims to enhance public safety, protect lives and property, and improve the traffic environment.

Q5. What is the goal of the traffic law amendment project?

A5. The project aims to enhance public safety, protect lives and property, improve safety for road users, and enhance the traffic environment, contributing to a reduction in fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents.

Q6. Which ministry introduced the public facilities protection violations table?

A6. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing introduced the “Table of Violations of the Public Facilities Protection Law within the Scope of Municipal Jurisdiction.” It aims to enhance compliance and protect public facilities from encroachment.

Q7. What is the purpose of the environmental compensation regulations project?

A7. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s project aims to establish a unified regulatory framework for assessing environmental damage, calculating compensation, and defining necessary principles, criteria, and technical mechanisms.

Q8. Why is public consultation important for Saudi Arabia?

A8. Public consultation enhances transparency, promotes a culture of engagement, and ensures that regulations reflect the needs of the public and private sectors. It builds trust and leads to more effective implementation.

Q9. How does the Istitlaa platform support Vision 2030?

A9. The platform supports Vision 2030 by fostering participatory governance, improving regulatory quality, and enabling sustainable economic growth. It aligns with the goals of a vibrant society and a thriving economy.

Q10. Who can participate in the public consultation?

A10. Stakeholders including citizens, government entities, and the private sector can participate by sharing their feedback and proposals on the projects before approval.

Q11. What is the role of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center?

A11. The SCBC operates the Istitlaa platform, facilitating public consultation on economic and development projects. It coordinates with government entities to gather feedback and improve regulations.

Q12. How many government entities are involved in this round of consultations?

A12. A total of 19 government entities are cooperating in this round, presenting 32 projects for public feedback through the Istitlaa platform.

Q13. What are the benefits of the traffic law amendment?

A13. The amendment aims to reduce fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents, enhance road safety, and improve the overall traffic environment in the Kingdom, protecting lives and property.

Q14. Why is the public facilities protection law important?

A14. It aims to protect public facilities from encroachment, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain municipal infrastructure. This supports community well-being and orderly urban development.

Q15. What does the environmental compensation project cover?

A15. It covers rules for calculating compensation for environmental damages, including principles, criteria, and technical mechanisms to ensure fair and unified assessment and remediation costs.

Q16. How does the Istitlaa platform enhance transparency?

A16. By making draft regulations publicly available and inviting feedback, the platform ensures an open legislative process. This transparency builds trust and accountability in government decision-making.

Q17. What happens after the feedback period ends?

A17. After the feedback period, the SCBC and relevant entities will review the submissions. The projects may be revised based on input before final approval and implementation.

Q18. Can individuals submit feedback on multiple projects?

A18. Yes, stakeholders can submit feedback on any or all of the 32 projects open on the platform, as long as they do so before the respective deadlines.

Q19. How does this initiative reflect Saudi Arabia’s modernization?

A19. It demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s adoption of digital tools for governance, commitment to transparency, and efforts to engage the public in policymaking, aligning with Vision 2030’s modernization goals.

Q20. What is the expected impact of these consultations on the business environment?

A20. The consultations will lead to clearer, more effective regulations that reduce uncertainty and support business growth. This enhances the Kingdom’s competitiveness and attractiveness to investors, driving economic development.

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