Compliance and Regulations

Commercial Department Compliance and Regulations – A 360-Degree Approach

Ensuring Full Compliance with Contractual, Financial, and Procurement Regulations in Mega Construction Projects


1. Introduction

The Commercial Department at BEC Arabia plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with national and international financial, contractual, and procurement regulations. Regulatory compliance is essential for:

  • Preventing financial and contractual risks

  • Ensuring legal and regulatory adherence in procurement, cost management, and subcontracting

  • Maintaining transparency in commercial transactions and contract administration

  • Avoiding disputes, penalties, and regulatory breaches

This compliance framework aligns with:

  • Saudi Ministry of Finance and Etimad e-Procurement System

  • FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) and NEC (New Engineering Contract) frameworks

  • Saudi VAT, financial reporting, and taxation laws

  • Public and private sector contract regulations

  • Anti-corruption and transparency laws governing procurement and commercial dealings

A 360-degree compliance approach ensures that BEC Arabia’s financial and commercial transactions adhere to best practices while mitigating legal risks.


2. Governance and Compliance Framework

2.1 Compliance Governance Structure

Compliance Area

Responsible Stakeholders

Key Oversight Areas

Financial Compliance

CFO, Finance Team, Commercial Directors

Budget tracking, VAT compliance, financial reporting

Contractual Compliance

Legal Team, Contracts Administration

Contract drafting, claims, FIDIC/NEC adherence

Procurement and Supply Chain Compliance

Procurement Team, Commercial Managers

Supplier contracts, vendor negotiations, Etimad regulations

Regulatory and Government Compliance

Government Affairs, Legal, Auditors

Saudi Ministry of Finance, tax audits, anti-corruption compliance

Benchmark: All commercial transactions must be documented, reviewed, and approved before execution to ensure compliance with Saudi regulatory requirements.


3. Contractual Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

3.1 Compliance with FIDIC and NEC Contract Frameworks

  • All construction contracts must comply with FIDIC or NEC standards to ensure fair and transparent agreements.

  • Contracts must define risk allocation, payment terms, variations, and claims management in accordance with FIDIC rules.

  • Ensures force majeure, liability, and indemnity clauses are legally sound to mitigate financial risks.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Standardized Contract Templates (FIDIC-based)

  • Contract Risk Assessment Reports

  • Legal Compliance Audits

Benchmark: 100% of contracts must be legally compliant with FIDIC/NEC guidelines before approval.


3.2 Change Order and Variation Compliance

  • All change orders and cost variations must be formally documented and approved.

  • Ensures compliance with contractual obligations, consultant approvals, and cost tracking requirements.

  • Change orders exceeding a 5% budget variation must be escalated for executive approval.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Change Order Justification Reports

  • Contract Variation Logs

  • Consultant and Client Approval Records

Benchmark: Zero unauthorized contract variations or cost escalations.


3.3 Claims and Dispute Resolution Compliance

  • Claims must be managed in accordance with contract terms and Saudi legal requirements.

  • Adheres to FIDIC Dispute Avoidance and Resolution (DAAB) procedures.

  • Ensures all claims are properly documented, reviewed, and justified before submission to clients or consultants.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Claims Assessment and Justification Reports

  • Arbitration and Legal Dispute Resolution Records

  • Contractual Risk Mitigation Strategies

Benchmark: 100% of claims must be legally and contractually justified before submission.


4. Financial and VAT Compliance

4.1 Budget Control and Cost Compliance

  • Ensures all project budgets align with approved financial plans.

  • Monitors cost overruns and ensures budget deviations remain within acceptable limits.

  • Adheres to Saudi financial reporting and audit requirements.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Monthly Budget and Cost Reports

  • Cost Deviation Analysis

  • Financial Audit and Compliance Logs

Benchmark: Project cost deviations must not exceed 5% of the allocated budget.


4.2 VAT and Taxation Compliance

  • Ensures full compliance with Saudi VAT laws (15%) on procurement and subcontractor payments.

  • All invoices must be VAT-compliant and properly documented for audit purposes.

  • Works with finance teams to submit tax reports and ensure adherence to financial regulations.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • VAT-Compliant Invoicing Records

  • Tax Reporting and Audit Reports

  • Supplier and Subcontractor Tax Compliance Logs

Benchmark: 100% of invoices must be VAT-compliant and submitted in accordance with Saudi tax laws.


5. Procurement and Supply Chain Compliance

5.1 Compliance with Etimad e-Procurement System

  • Ensures all government-related procurement follows the Etimad platform regulations.

  • Verifies supplier prequalification, contract registration, and financial approvals.

  • Ensures bid evaluation processes are transparent and corruption-free.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Supplier Registration and Prequalification Records

  • Procurement Approval Logs

  • Etimad Compliance Audits

Benchmark: 100% compliance with Etimad procurement regulations for all public-sector projects.


5.2 Subcontractor and Supplier Compliance

  • Ensures all subcontractors comply with contract safety, quality, and financial obligations.

  • Implements performance monitoring and audits for supplier compliance.

  • Prevents supply chain risks by enforcing financial and contract verification processes.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Subcontractor Financial and Contract Compliance Reports

  • Supplier Performance Audits

  • Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) for procurement violations

Benchmark: 95% compliance rate for all subcontractors and suppliers with contract requirements.


6. Anti-Corruption and Transparency Compliance

6.1 Compliance with Saudi Anti-Bribery Laws

  • Ensures procurement and financial transactions are transparent and ethical.

  • Implements whistleblower policies and fraud prevention mechanisms.

  • Adheres to Saudi anti-bribery and corporate governance regulations.

Key Compliance Deliverables:

  • Financial Transaction Audit Logs

  • Anti-Corruption Compliance Reports

  • Fraud Risk Assessments

Benchmark: Zero tolerance for corruption or financial misconduct.


7. Digital Compliance and Regulatory Tracking

7.1 Integration of Digital Compliance Monitoring

Technology

Functionality

Application in Commercial Compliance

Aconex

Contract and Procurement Document Control

Stores all financial and procurement compliance records

SAP ERP

Cost and Budget Monitoring

Ensures financial compliance with Saudi tax laws

Power BI Dashboards

Financial Reporting and Risk Analysis

Tracks budget variances and regulatory compliance

Primavera P6

Procurement and Cost Control Integration

Aligns procurement timelines with budget allocations

Benchmark: 100% of commercial transactions must be digitally monitored for compliance tracking.


8. Conclusion

The Commercial Department at BEC Arabia ensures:

  • Full compliance with FIDIC/NEC contract frameworks and Saudi financial regulations

  • Strict adherence to VAT laws, procurement standards, and budget control measures

  • Effective claims management, dispute resolution, and variation control

  • Transparent financial transactions with zero tolerance for corruption

By embedding structured compliance frameworks and digital tracking mechanisms, BEC Arabia ensures financial integrity, contractual security, and regulatory excellence in all commercial operations.

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