Riyadh- Mubasher: A number of countries have complained at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for what they see as an excise tax by Gulf countries on carbonated and energy drinks.

The European Union (EU), the United States, and Switzerland have all complained at the WTO about the 100% excise duty on energy drinks and the 50% tax on other carbonated drinks, imposed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UAE, and Bahrain.

These countries claim that there is no rationale to applying duties on these products, Arabian Business reported.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia explained that the selective tax was applied to protect public health and that it was not intended to protect the local industry.