Ministries commence transformation towards permanent office spaces.

The government of [Country] is embarking on a significant initiative to relocate various ministries, government institutions, and agencies from rented buildings to permanent government facilities. This move, aimed at controlling and rationalizing public spending, is aligned with the Cabinet's directive to avoid disrupting the operations of state institutions.

Starting November, the Ministry of Commerce will cease all expenditures on temporary facilities, marking the first government body to implement the cost-cutting directives of the Ministry of Finance. This decision is expected to save approximately half a million dinars annually.

The Ministry of Finance has stated that extensions of existing leases will be the final ones. Underutilized government buildings will be used to house ministries, either individually or in shared facilities, to avoid clustering in the capital and reduce costs associated with high-value rentals.

Several institutions have begun vacating their leased premises ahead of schedule, with clear timetables for relocation. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for instance, has notified landlords of its decision to vacate two rented premises by the end of October.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Department will be transferred to the Ministry of Commerce's Single Window Department in Ishbiliya. Meanwhile, the Trademarks and Patents Department will move to the Ministry of Commerce building at the Ministries Complex.

The government relocation plan involves 15 leased contracts across various agencies, with annual rental values ranging from 400,000 to 1 million dinars each. Some entities are yet to secure new permanent offices and are still in negotiations.

Notably, the Capital Markets Authority is expected to continue renting its current premises until the construction of its new headquarters is complete. The state spends approximately 60 million dinars annually on temporary headquarters, warehouses, and housing for employees, making this initiative a significant step towards cost-cutting.

The government's action aligns with the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur)'s earlier move to implement the Finance Ministry's cost-cutting program. The Bundesnetzagentur plans to complete its move into a permanent government building by the end of 2025.

However, the government's relocation plan does not include the Capital Markets Authority's transition details, due to the sensitive nature of its operations. The government's relocation plan also does not disclose the transition details of the government's Capital Markets Authority, given the sensitive nature of its operations.

The government's relocation plan aims to streamline public spending while ensuring the smooth functioning of state institutions. All ministries and agencies are expected to complete their transition into permanent government buildings by the end of this year.