Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain Moves to Green Alert Level

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 22 July 2021: Bahrain’s National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus has announced the Kingdom is going to move to the Coronavirus Green Alert level.

They are going to do so from Friday.

It means malls, restaurants, cafes and sports centres will be reopened to everyone.

Salons, swimming pools and leisure centres will also reopen.

In addition, people will be able to enter Government facilities and events and conferences in outdoor areas will be able to be held.

People will be able to attend education and training institutions as well but will have to comply with anti-Coronavirus measures.

Vaccinated individuals, people recovering from the virus and under-12s who are accompanied by a vaccinated person will be able to enter cinemas and organise events and conferences indoors.

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News developments

Dubai: Electricity and Water Conservation Measures Handbook Issued

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Electricity and Water Authority has announced it has issued an Electricity and Water Conservation Measure Handbook.

It is aimed at informing residential, commercial, industrial and Government customers about technologies and systems to reduce their electricity and water use.

It is part of the Authority’s efforts to boost sustainability and improve customer and societal engagement.

It highlights various modern technologies to conserve electricity and water consumption for various types of buildings. It covers adding or replacing existing equipment and control measures to increase the efficiency of buildings and retrofitting them. These include air conditioning and cooling systems, lighting systems, water-saving fixtures, as well as building control systems to improve the operation of equipment.

It also presents expected savings as a result of implementing conservation measures. It also includes useful links and additional tips for customers to learn about further technologies to conserve electricity and water in their buildings.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Shadow Economy Crackdown Intensified

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 21 July 2021: The Saudi Arabian authorities have intensified their crackdown on those involved in the shadow economy.

It follows the introduction of an anti-commercial concealment law.

It is aimed at ensuring foreign investors operating in the Kingdom are licensed and operating under the right commercial arrangements.

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Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Validity of Visas for Stranded Expatriates Extended

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 20 July 2021: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports or Jawazat has announced the validity of visa for expatriates stranded abroad can be extended.

The iqama or residency permit and exit and re-entry visas of expatriates can also be extended to 31 August.

Visit visas will also be automatically extended.

There will be no fees for the extensions.

It will only apply to expatriates and foreigners from the nine countries where entry to the Kingdom is banned because of Coronavirus.

Affected individuals will not have to visit any Jawazat offices in person.

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News developments

UAE: Central Bank Issues Retail Payment Services & Card Regulations

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Bayan, 18 July 2021: The UAE’s Central Bank has issued new retail payment service and card Regulations.

The new Regulations state providers of payment services will have to have specific licenses.

Payment service providers will be given a year to comply and receive the relevant license from the Central Bank.

For full story see: https://www.albayan.ae/economy/uae/2021-07-18-1.4209593.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Ship Captains Must Obtain Professional Permits

25/07/202125/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Madina, 17 July 2021: Saudi Arabia’s General Transport Authority has announced it is preparing comprehensive marine transport regulations.

The regulations will include six conditions which need to be met by captains and sailors.

The Authority said the ship captains must obtain professional permits.

They should also provide their educational certificates and medical reports to prove their health competence.

For full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Kuwait: Tax Changes on the Way

18/07/202118/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Arab News, 14 July 2021: Kuwait’s Finance Minister has announced tax changes are on the way.

Excise tax and VAT will be introduced.

They also announced withdrawals need to be made from the Future Generations Reserve Fund temporarily to plug a budget deficit.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Female Footballer Regulations Approved

18/07/202118/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 15 July 2021: According to local newspaper reports, Saudi Arabia’s Football Association has announced it has approved new female footballer regulations.

The new regulations amend existing regulations.

The amendments will allow a Saudi women’s football league and women’s teams to be created.

They protect the rights of female professional footballers who want to have children during their playing careers.

They include conditions agreed on by FIFA, FIFPRO and other stakeholders. They state female players will be treated the same as men, but they will be entitled to maternity leave during the contract’s term.

They will be paid at least two thirds of the contracted salary unless the local rules or collective agreements provide more favourable terms.

A contract will not be able to state a female player must not be pregnant or get pregnant during its their contractual term.

Their contract may not be suspended during their maternity leave, or deprive them of a maternity rights in general.

It is not clear how long the minimum maternity leave will be nor how long it will last before and after a child is born.

The number of professional players is also not clear and whether amateur players will be allowed to be admitted.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Banks Should Appoint Anti-commercial Cover-up Official

18/07/202118/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 14 July 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Central Bank has announced banks should appoint an anti-commercial cover-up official.

They will be responsible for monitoring and reporting suspected cases.

They also have to report the suspected cases to the Director of the Department of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing.

A Circular to this effect has been issued.

They should have the relevant expertise and competence in tackling commercial cover-up, money laundering and terrorist financing and in drafting policies and procedures necessary to tackle cover-ups and report these cases.

The policies and procedures include developing technical systems to detect suspected cover-ups as well as creating and developing scenarios for account control to tackle cover-ups.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

News developments

Sharjah: Regulations for Renting Holiday Homes Issued

18/07/202118/07/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Mubasher, 13 July 2021: Sharjah’s Executive Council has announced it has issued regulations on holiday home rentals.

The regulations include the standards which have to be met for operating holiday homes and the standards for categorising these houses.

They also state unlicensed parties will not be able to operate these activities.

For full story, click here.

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Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.