Benjamin Filaferro, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Parliament Favours Tax on Expat Remittances

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

A proposal to levy a tax on remittances by expatriates in Kuwait has resurfaced after a failed attempt at the previous parliament. The legislative Committee at the current Kuwaiti legislature, which was elected in December, has requested that a tax on transfers should be confined to those of migrant workers and that transfers involving Kuwaiti citizens should be exempt. A similar suggestion was vehemently rejected by the government in the previous parliament on constitutional and economic grounds. Migrant workers transfer about 4.2 billion Dinars annually from Kuwait, according to the Kuwait Central Bank.

News developments

UAE: Dubai Government-owned licensing solutions accept crypto-currencies

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kiklabb, the Dubai Government-owned licensing solution, now accepts cryptocurrencies as a payment option for trade licences and visa fees. Kiklabb customers can now pay for services using cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether (USDt). Kiklabb is also the first to use a virtual end-to-end business setup experience. Customers can register as well as pay for Dubai trade licences remotely and with a virtual currency, using their smartphone.

News developments

UAE: The Abu Dhabi Police has warned drivers of the danger of using vehicle carriers

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Abu Dhabi Police has warned drivers of the danger of using vehicle carriers for recovery to transport equipment and vehicles that do not meet safety and security conditions as well as those that are not equipped to transport this type of equipment, as this endangers road users and road infrastructure. The directorate indicated that equipment carriers need a permit to transport, and it is granted according to the work assigned to them through contracts.

Weekly Spotlight

Bahrain: The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021

19/02/202119/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The King of Bahrain has ratified and issued Bahrain Law No. 4/2021 issuing the Corrective Justice Law for Children and protecting them from ill-treatment after it was approved by the Shura Council and Parliament. The law aims to achieve corrective justice.
Courts called “Child Correctional Justice Courts” will be established in Bahrain with the jurisdiction to adjudicate on criminal cases arising from crimes committed by children over the age of 15 years at the time of committing the crime.
A committee called “Judicial Committee” has also been established to examine cases of exposure of the child to danger or ill-treatment referred to it by the competent prosecution office. A centre called the Child Protection Centre has also been established in the Ministry concerned with Social Development Affairs. This will develop plans and programmes to ensure the protection of children from abuse. The law also specifies penalties for those who incite or coerce a child to commit crimes, prepare them for that, or assist them and facilitate this.

News developments

UAE: VAT Registration Rules for Owners of Multiple Sole Businesses Clarified

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Federal Tax Authority has clarified the VAT registration rules for owners of multiple sole businesses. Owners in these cases should complete a single VAT registration for all of them. They should not be registered individually. The Authority added an individual enterprise is a legal form for businesses which are 100% owned by an ordinary person. Individual enterprises don’t have an independent legal personality and the enterprise and owner are considered as one.

News developments

Qatar: Real Estate Sector Development Committee Term Extended

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Prime Minister has approved various conditions, including a decision extending the term of the real estate sector development committee for another six months. The Committee is responsible for proposing a strategy to develop the sector in the State. They are also responsible for suggesting policies and plans to implement the strategy.

News developments

Oman: Residence Permits Will Not be Renewed for Drivers From June

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Labour Ministry has announced residency permits for drivers will not be renewed when they expire. The only exception will be where an applicant provides a valid driving license consistent with the type of profession they occupy. It will be implemented from 1 June 2021 together with the Royal Oman Police.

News developments

Kuwait: Children of Kuwaiti Women to Get Permanent Residence

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Women and Family Committee has approved a proposal to give permanent residence to children of Kuwaiti women who are married to non-Kuwaitis. They will also get priority in employment after Kuwaitis and be treated like Kuwaitis in Ministries and Government institutions. Additionally, the Head of the Committee has announced the Committee has called for centres to shelter women and children who are domestic violence victims. They also called for the approval of the Implementing Regulations to the Domestic Violence Law to be expedited.

News developments

Dubai: Government Information Leakers Identified

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council have announced the Dubai authorities have identified Government information leakers. The individuals attempted to disclose this information. They attempted to do so through messaging applications and social media platforms. Those who leak this information will be punished. The authorities added Government employees should comply with policies and procedures on the dissemination and exchange of Government information and upholding confidentiality and privacy.

News developments

Bahrain: Penalties for Not Reporting Medical Profession Crimes Announced

12/02/202112/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Foreign, Defence and National Security Committee of Bahrain’s Parliament has approved a proposal to increase the penalties for those who refuse to report medical profession crimes. This relates to individuals who must do so because of their legal capacity. They should report any information which might help any suspected crimes be discovered. The law proposes replacing the text of Article 231 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 15/1976 (the Penal Code) by increasing the penalties for those who work in the medical professions but fail to report suspected crimes. Under the amendment, the jail term would be between three months and a year and a fine of between 200 and 2,000 Dinars.