Speaking to Saudi businessmen at Asharqia Chamber, he said the agreements would contribute to attracting more investments to the Kingdom. “Our department has transferred SR28 billion to the General Organization for Social Insurance during the past five years for distribution to those who deserve zakat,” he pointed out.

The department also deals with the automatic zakat payment system at the Ministry of Finance. “Last year we completed 1,300 such payments. This year we have already about 1,000 payments.”

Al-Mufleh disclosed the government’s plan to issue a new zakat law in tune with the country’s economic development. “We have introduced an automatic system at our offices in Riyadh and Jeddah. The same system will be applied in Dammam shortly,” he said. The department has also opened women’s sections at its branch offices.

Abdul Rahman Al-Wabil, acting secretary-general of the Asharqia Chamber, said the meeting with Al-Mufleh was organized as part of the chamber’s efforts to create social responsibility. “We invite heads of various government departments to discuss social issues and requirements,” he added.

Ahmed Al-Taifi, director of the automatic system at the Zakat and Revenue Department, spoke about efforts to develop the department and improve its services. “Decentralization is one of the hallmarks of our services,” he said. “All branch offices have been given powers to deal with those who are required to pay zakat.”

He said by the end of the year the department will complete all procedures automatically. “We have to use modern information technology to cope with the private sector with whom we deal,” he added.

Khaled Al-Dhaheri, a chartered accountant at the department’s Riyadh branch, said Saudi Arabia is the only Islamic country that implements zakat.