Article 14 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 14 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The Authority, in coordination with the relevant bodies, sets the rules for investing in antiquities and urban heritage sites.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تضع الهيئة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية - قواعد استثمار مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article opens the door to investing in antiquities and urban heritage sites, but within regulated rules.
- Who sets the rules: the Authority.
- In coordination with: the relevant bodies.
- Subject of the rules: investment in antiquities and urban heritage sites.
This means that investment in these sites is permitted in principle, but is subject to rules the Authority sets; this article does not state the content of those rules or their conditions.
The article does not specify the relevant bodies with which the Authority coordinates, nor the duration or forms of investment; all of that is left to the rules it sets. For the provisions on licensing investment and operation, Article 18 can also be consulted.
An investor who wishes to turn a heritage building into a project, such as a guesthouse, cafe or museum, should therefore first learn the investment rules set by the Authority. Before contracting, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
May one invest in archaeological sites?
Yes. The Authority, in coordination with the relevant bodies, sets the rules for investing in antiquities and urban heritage sites.
Does the article set the conditions for investment?
No. It provides that the Authority sets the investment rules in coordination with the relevant bodies, without stating their content.
More articles on Investing in Archaeological Sites and the Antiquities Fund
- Article 18
The article requires whoever owns or controls a registered antiquity or urban heritage site to preserve it, requires a Commission license to invest in or operate it, obliges the investor to maintain it, and allows a charge for visits.
1- على الشخص الذي يقع في ملكيته أو تحت سلطته أثر أو موقع تراث عمراني مسجل في سجل الآثار، أو التراث العمراني؛ المحافظة عليه. 2 - لا يجوز استثمار الأثر وموقع التر
- Article 19
Anyone occupying an archaeological, historical, folk heritage or urban heritage site must allow the Authority's competent employees to enter in order to view and study it in accordance with statutory procedures.
على كل شخص يشغل موقعاً أثرياً، أو تاريخياً، أو موقع تراث شعبي، أو عمراني؛ أن يسمح لموظفي الهيئة المختصين بالدخول؛ للاطلاع عليه ودراسته وفقاً للإجراءات النظامية.
- Article 20
The article creates the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund to spend on protecting antiquities, building museums and supporting the private sector, and sets its resources from revenues, compensation and donations.
1- ينشأ في الهيئة صندوق يسمى (صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني)؛ للإنفاق منه على حماية الآثار، والتراث العمراني، والمحافظة عليها، وصيانتها، وعرضها، وتوظيف
- Article 21
The Commission, under existing laws, encourages the creation of associations specialized in antiquities, heritage and museums, and these associations may benefit from the support of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund.
تشجع الهيئة - وفقاً للأنظمة القائمة - إنشاء جمعيات متخصصة في مجال الآثار والتراث والمتاحف، ويكون لهذه الجمعيات الاستفادة من دعم صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث ال
- Article 52
The article refers to the regulations the mechanism for contributing to the costs of maintaining, repairing and restoring a classified urban heritage building or site if its owner is unable to do so.
تبين اللوائح آلية المساهمة في تكاليف صيانة مبنى أو موقع التراث العمراني المصنف وإصلاحه وترميمه، إذا عجز مالكه عن القيام بذلك.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.