Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait to Issue Multiple Entry Visas to 400 Iraqi Businessmen

27/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait plans to issue multiple entry visas to nearly 400 Iraqi businessmen following an agreement between the two countries, according to the Minister of Commerce and Industry and State Minister of Services Affairs Khalid Al-Roudhan. A special committee has been formed with Iraqi officials called the ‘White List’, and its activities will include issuing multiple entry visas to nearly 400 Iraqi businessmen. The plan is to have free markets operating between Kuwait and Iraq and discussions have reached an advanced stage in this area.

News developments

Egypt: Executive Regulations for the National Press Authority Law

27/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt’s Prime Minister has promulgated executive regulations for the National Press Authority Law, Egypt Law No. 179/2018. These regulations revoke the second part of the executive regulation of the Institutional Press and Information Regulation, Egypt Law No. 92/2016, and repeal anything which contravenes them. As a result of these developments, the National Press Authority will administer national press institutions, create a comprehensive inventory of all the press and national institutions, and establish a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating economic and other performance indicators for the national press. This Authority will also have a role in dispute settlement, training, pricing, and licensing of new media outlets.

News developments

UAE: Confirmation on Salary Requirements for All Expats Sponsoring Family

27/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Salary and not job title is now the basis for residence visa applications for both male and female expats wanting to sponsor family members in the UAE, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) has clarified. Some women had been told by authorities in Dubai that only certain professions were eligible to sponsor their families. An FAIC spokesperson has now stated all expats male or female can now sponsor their spouse or children, provided they earn a monthly salary of 4,000 AED or at least 3,000 AED and have accommodation supplied by their employer. A FAIC official explained that the reason for the confusion was that a government website still states the previous requirements because it has not been updated yet.

Law Brief

Are you up-to-date on the new UAE Foreign Direct Investment Law?

26/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The new UAE Foreign Direct Investment Law is a key development in terms of foreign ownership in the UAE.
Download our free Legislative Insight to get an in-depth examination of the new law written by specialists.
https://info.lexis.ae/uae-fdi/

Weekly Spotlight

Weekly Spotlight: New Robo-Advisor Regulations Issued by the ADGM

21/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority has announced it has issued new digital investment manager or robo-advisor regulations. These advisors or managers provide investment management services using algorithm-based tools and technology.

The Regulations cover the regulatory permissions which may be required to provide digital investment services in or from the Global Market and how the Financial Services Regulatory Authority will apply its authorisation criteria in technology governance, suitability and disclosure and newer areas like algorithm governance. The Authority’s requirements on algorithm governance, are closely calibrated to match international best practices and incorporate principles of fairness, transparency and accountability. These include requirements for human oversight over the design, performance and security of the algorithm model, ensuring the algorithm model is not affected by possible behavioural biases, adequate safeguards to protect the integrity of the algorithm model and ensuring the outcomes produced by the algorithm model are explainable, traceable and repeatable.

The Authority will allow digital investment managers to hold lower prudential capital if they meet the stipulated criteria and requirements.

News developments

Dubai: Nutritional Information on Menus Delayed

20/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

According to reports, the Dubai Municipality is going to delay the introduction of compulsory calorie information on menus in the Emirate. In May, a Circular was issued to all food outlets requiring this information to be shown which would have made Dubai the first Emirate to do so. The Municipality has decided to make displaying the information optional for the next two years and then make a Decision.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Decision Allowing Shops and Restaurants to Open 24/24

20/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a Decision allowing shops and restaurants to open 24 hours a day. The Decision has prompted confusion over whether shops will have to close five times a day for daily prayers. Entities wanting to open for 24 hours a day will also have to pay a fee to do so. The Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry will set the fee and state which activities can benefit from the Decision.

News developments

Kuwait: Applications for a Virtual Telecommunications Operator Now Open

19/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority has announced it is accepting applications for a virtual telecommunications operator in the country. When the license for this virtual operator is issued, they will be the fourth telecommunications provider in the country. They will join Ooredoo, Viva and Zain. Applications have to be submitted by 14 November and the successful applicant will be announced by 6 February 2020.

News developments

Bahrain: 10% Quota for SMEs in Government Tenders

16/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has directed the Prime Minister to expand quota preferences given to SMEs in Government procurement and tenders and in service facilities in Government entities. The Cabinet has decided the current quota of 10% of companies bidding for provision of Government services should be expanded to include tenders. The same percentage will apply. The Cabinet supported the measure following a review of the memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Franchise Law on the Way

16/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce and Investment Minister has announced the Franchise and Government Procurement Laws will be issued by the end of August this year. The Shoura Council approved the laws in March. The Franchise Law will govern the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. The Government Procurement Law aims to regulate the procedures related to business and procurement and prevent abuses of power and vested interests.

The new UAE Foreign Direct Investment Law is a key development in terms of foreign ownership in the UAE.Download our free Legislative Insight to get an in-depth examination of the new law written by specialists.https://info.lexis.ae/uae-fdi/

The new UAE Foreign Direct Investment Law is a key development in terms of foreign ownership in the UAE.
Download our free Legislative Insight to get an in-depth examination of the new law written by specialists.
https://info.lexis.ae/uae-fdi/