Commission suspends consultation on double taxation agreement with Saudi Arabia

The Economic Commission of the National Council has decided to suspend discussion of the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Saudi Arabia (18,061) until the Federal Council has presented a political strategy towards Saudi Arabia. In the eyes of the commission, this decision is particularly urgent following the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This murder would require a fundamental review of relations with Saudi Arabia. The Federal Council will probably present its new strategy in 2019.

In addition, the Commission approved the federal decisions on the DTAs with Zambia and Ecuador (18,039 and 18,040: 14 votes to 7 with 1 abstention and 14 votes to 7), with Brazil (18,064: 14 votes to 4 with 4 abstentions) and with the United Kingdom (18,062: 15 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions).