Hannah Gutang, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Health Ministry Sets Prices for Sets Medicines

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 12 May 2025: Kuwait Ministerial Decision No 93/2025, has been issued approving new pricing for 69 medicines and pharmaceutical products in private pharmacies.

The decision follows recommendations made by the Drug Pricing Committee. These approved prices are for a wide range of therapeutic categories. These include medications for cancer, including leukemia, as well as treatments for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. It also covers anticoagulants, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, asthma treatments, osteoporosis drugs, thyroid medications, dermatological preparations, Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments, obesity medications, and migraine relief drugs.

The new decision complements Kuwait Ministerial Decision No. 74/2023.

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News developments

Dubai: Smart Building Policy

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 9 May 2025: Sheikh Hamdan has approved a smart building policy design to reduce consumption of water and energy.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Executive Council, has approved the new policy measures in alignment with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The policy is being led by the Dubai Municipality. It outlines standards for smart buildings that use renewable energy, intelligent water networks, smart parking, automated climate control, and real-time monitoring systems.

It aims to reduce power consumption in buildings by 25%, water use by 15%, and operational costs by 20%,

At present, adoption of the policy is purely voluntary in new buildings, but it will be backed up by initiatives to encourage adoption by investors and developers in due course.

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News developments

Bahrain: Implements New Halal Regulations

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 8 May 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has issued Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 to regulate halal production and certification processes.

This legal framework aims to ensure that halal goods meet Islamic rules throughout all stages of preparation and sale, aligning with Bahraini product standards and GCC agreements.

The decision impacts producers and certifying bodies, requiring them to obtain halal certification from the Ministry or recognised entities. Companies must conduct regular internal checks and comply with site visits, sample testing, and production audits by Ministry inspectors to verify adherence to halal standards.

The Ministry oversees requests for halal checks and approves certifying bodies, ensuring their capability to issue certificates. Article 6 of Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 outlines the responsibilities of these bodies, including collaboration with the Ministry and ensuring compliance by endorsed entities.

Halal audit teams are tasked with inspecting and testing food and services to ensure compliance, with penalties for non-compliance detailed in Article 13 of Bahrain Decision No. 76/2024. The initiative includes developing the Bahrain Halal Platform, an online system for verifying product certification.

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News developments

QICDRC Case Digest: June – December 2024 Edition

30/04/202530/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Welcome to the latest edition of the QICDRC Case Digest, a carefully curated collection of landmark judgments delivered by the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) during the second half of 2024. This publication serves as a vital reference for legal practitioners, academics, and others with an interest in the development of commercial and regulatory jurisprudence in Qatar.

This edition offers concise yet insightful summaries of significant cases across a broad spectrum of legal domains, including regulatory enforcement, commercial disputes, and employment law. Each case is presented with a focus on the key legal issues, the court’s reasoning, and its broader implications, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving judicial landscape within the Qatar Financial Centre.

Whether you are advising clients, conducting research, or simply keeping abreast of legal developments, the Case Digest is designed to inform and support your understanding of how QICDRC jurisprudence continues to shape the legal framework in Qatar.

In this Edition:

Zahir Makawy v Al Awael Captive Insurance Company LLC [2024] QIC (A) 9
Rudolfs Veiss v Qatar Financial Centre Authority [2024] QIC (A) 10
Boom General Contractors WLL v Sharq Insurance LLC [2024] QIC (A) 11
QFC Employment Standards Office v Meinhardt BIM Studios LLC [2024] QIC (F) 24
Akram Hidri and another v Qatar Financial Centre Authority [2024] QIC (F) 46
Mohammed Amin Hamza v Masters Business Consultancy LLC [2024] QIC (F) 51
Qatar Financial Centre Authority v Horizon Crescent Wealth LLC (In Liquidation) [2024] QIC (F) 52
Thales QFZ LLC v Al Jaber Engineering Company WLL [2024] QIC (F) 53
Waqar Zaman v Meinhardt BIM Studios LLC and Meinhardt Singapore PTE Limited [2024] QIC (A) 12
Christian Friedrich Linhart v Ooredoo Group LLC [2024] QIC (F) 60

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QICDRC_CaseDigest_English-Arabic_June-December 2024 Edition

News developments

UAE: Central Bank Imposes Financial Sanction on Bank for AML Failures

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 21 April 2025: The UAE Central Bank has imposed financial sanctions on an unnamed banking entity following an examination that revealed significant gaps in its internal anti-money laundering (AML) processes.

This decision underscores the Central Bank’s commitment to ensuring all banks and their staff comply with UAE laws, regulations, and standards related to AML. The penalty was issued after the Central Bank assessed the findings of its examination, which indicated non-compliance with AML policies, reflecting the regulator’s stringent enforcement of compliance requirements across the financial sector, including banks, currency exchange houses, and insurers.

The sanctioned bank must address the identified deficiencies and align its operations with national AML standards. This development follows the Central Bank’s announcement last year that a new internal entity, the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (NAMLCFTC), would oversee anti-money laundering operations.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Penalties on Elderly Care Law

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 22 April 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced new regulations to improve labour inspections.

Under the updated framework, companies found in violation of labour rules will receive an electronic warning and must resolve the issue within three working days. Failure to comply results in a formal report and penalties, as per the ministry’s schedule of violations. Employers must submit relevant information about the violation via the ministry’s official email within the same period, with non-compliance leading to legal action.

The regulations enable inspectors to examine machinery, facilities, and safety protocols to verify occupational health measures. Inspectors must be Saudi nationals with a university degree or two years of relevant experience, along with specialist training. They are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and cannot be reassigned or dismissed without approval from the deputy minister or an authorised official.

Inspectors must carry official ministry-issued ID and present it during site visits, which can occur during any working hours, even in the employer’s absence. While prior notice is typically required, urgent circumstances may justify unannounced visits. Authorities will be permitted to access and copy both electronic and physical company records to verify compliance, ensuring inspections respect the rights of both employers and workers. Violations are recorded only after confirmation and formal notification, with employers given an opportunity to respond before any action is finalised.

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News developments

Qatar: Central Bank Launches Sustainable Finance Framework

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 20 April 2025: Qatar Central Bank (QCB) issued the Sustainable Finance Framework to align with national strategies and promote growth through environmental, social, and governance principles.

QCB explained that this framework is based on several key elements, including enhancing transparency, revenue management, reporting, and external auditing, aiming to open new opportunities for growth and innovation in Qatar by incorporating sustainable Islamic financial instruments. It supports the transition to a flexible and inclusive economy that balances economic growth with environmental and social responsibility. The framework represents a proactive step by QCB to integrate sustainability into the financial sector, promoting practices that align with global standards and national objectives. The decision impacts financial institutions and stakeholders in Qatar, obligating them to adhere to the principles outlined in the framework. It encourages the adoption of sustainable practices and the development of financial products that meet environmental and social criteria.

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News developments

Oman: Launches Dhamani Platform to Streamline Insurance Claims

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Oman Observer, 21 April 2025: Oman has launched the Dhamani platform, a national digital information exchange which is designed to streamline insurance claims processing between healthcare providers and insurance payers.

The platform has been introduced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as part of a broader effort to digitise and enhance the efficiency of the healthcare and insurance sectors.

Dhamani is not merely a standalone system but a comprehensive infrastructure that significantly reduces the time and administrative burden associated with claims processing. Previously, claims could take up to two years to process, but with Dhamani, they can be submitted immediately after treatment, and insurers are required to respond within 45 days.

The platform integrates with healthcare providers’ Health Information Systems (HIS), allowing for instant claim submission by hospitals, clinics, and soon also, independent pharmacies. This digital workflow enables insurers to quickly approve, reject, or request additional information for claims, ensuring a structured timeline for claims handling.

Dhamani will play a crucial role in combating fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) in the health insurance system. It standardises medical protocols, ensures all transactions are digital and transparent, and uses business intelligence and artificial intelligence tools to detect irregularities and manage risk.

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News developments

Kuwait: Law Amended to Allow Salary Deductions for Unpaid Court Fines

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 20 April 2025: Kuwait Decree-Law No. 62/2025 amended the Code of Procedures and Trials Law (Kuwait Law No. 17/1960), enabling salary deductions for unpaid court fines and revising objection periods for verdicts.

Kuwait Decree-Law No. 62/2025 has replaced Article 188 and 230 of Kuwait Law No. 17/1960 with new provisions, impacting the objection period for verdicts and the collection of unpaid fines.

Article 188 of Kuwait Law No. 17/1960 now specifies a one-week objection period for verdicts. In misdemeanor cases, this period begins from the date the convicted person is notified of the verdict issued in absentia. For felony cases, it starts from the date of the convicted person’s arrest, provided the judgment was not previously served in person. If the objection is not filed within this timeframe, the verdict may only be appealed if eligible before the Court of Appeals. Notifications can be sent via email or other modern communication methods, and if direct service is not possible, notices may be delivered to a relative or published in the official gazette.

Article 230 of Kuwait Law No. 17/19605 allows for the collection of unpaid fines through compulsory execution from the convict’s assets. The Public Prosecution can recover fines via monthly deductions not exceeding one-quarter of the convict’s salary, wage, national labour support, or pension. The convict may request to pay the fine in instalments or defer payment, with full payment required within five years.

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News developments

Dubai: Launches World’s First AI-Powered Financial Governance System

24/04/202524/04/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Emarat Al Youm, 22 April 2025: Dubai’s Department of Finance has unveiled “ASCEND,” an AI-powered system designed to enhance financial governance and compliance.

The system was launched during the inaugural Dubai AI Week, reflecting the department’s commitment to modernising government financial operations and ensuring future readiness through advanced technology and innovation.

“ASCEND” is a cornerstone of Dubai’s AI strategy, driving comprehensive transformation in financial operations to ensure accountability, flexibility, and excellence. It addresses government compliance challenges such as data fragmentation and manual processes and it seamlessly integrates with other internal systems, enabling unified compliance oversight without data transfer. The system automates traditional review processes, setting a high global standard for public sector financial oversight.

It employs a multi-step intelligent approach supported by open-source large language models and retrieval-augmented generation architecture and analyses complex legal texts, understands financial processes, and assesses compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The system generates actionable AI-driven recommendations to support governance practices and automatically issues clear compliance reports in Arabic and English.

“ASCEND” has been designed to be secure and scalable, operating on a cloud infrastructure within the UAE to ensure full data sovereignty and compliance with national information security standards.

For the full story, click here.

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