Nawell Bel Hhaddou, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Qatar: National Product Mark Law Approved

14/04/202219/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

The Peninsula, 13 April 2022: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved draft laws regulating the licensing of the use of a national product mark and its Implementing Regulations.

The draft law is consistent with the strategy of supporting national products, distinguishing them from other products and giving them priority in Government procurement.

They also approved a draft Ministerial Decision on entry visas for hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Also reported in Lusail on 13 April 2022. For full story, click here.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Implementation of Saudisation in Key Health Sectors Starts

13/04/202213/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Saudi Gazette, 12 April 2022: Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Ministry has announced they have started implementing Saudisation in some key health sectors.

These include 60% Saudisation in health specialisation professions, 30% Saudisation of engineering and technical professions in medical appliances and 40% Saudisation in sales and medical appliances and supplies professions throughout the Kingdom.

The Saudisation has been implemented following the expiry of the grace period.

The Saudisation Decision was aimed at Saudidising health specialties including medical laboratory, radiology, physiotherapy and therapeutic nutrition jobs in all medical facilities operating in the Kingdom.

The minimum salary to calculate Saudisation has been set at 7,000 Riyals for specialists and 5,000 Riyals for technicians.

The Decision to Saudidise professions in the medical appliances sector includes the Saudisation of sales and advertising professions and will be introduced in medical appliances and supplies in two phases. It will be 40% in the first phase and 80% in the second phase.

The Saudisation of engineering and technical professions for medical devices will also be introduced in two phases. It will be 30% in the first phase and 50% in the second phase.

Also reported in Al-Eqtisadiya on 11 April 2022. For full story see https://www.aleqt.com/2022/04/11/article_2295806.html.

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News developments

UAE: Hacking Crimes and Their Penalties Explained

13/04/202213/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Alroeya, 12 April 2022: The UAE’s Public Prosecution has explained the crime of electronic hacking under Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021.

Under Article 2 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021, anyone who electronically hacks a website, an information system, an information network, or an information technology medium will be jailed and/or fined between 100,000 and 300,000 AED.

A jail term of at least six months and a fine of between 150,000 and 500,000 AED will be imposed on anyone where the hacking causes harm, destruction, or suspension of the hacked system.

For full story see https://www.alroeya.com/173-76/2280432-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%AD-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%B9%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7.

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News developments

Dubai: Decree to Subject Public-Interest Entities to Financial Regulatory Oversight Issued

11/04/202211/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Arabian Business, 11 March 2022: Dubai’s Ruler has issued a Decree to ensure the finances of public-interest entities are overseen regulatorily.

Under the Decree, these entities will have to maintain up-to-date financial and administrative records so Dubai’s Community Development Authority can review them when necessary.

The Director-General of the Community Development Authority will issue a Decision about the scope of the Authority’s regulatory oversight of these entities.

It will include sources of the entity’s funding and income and nature of their expenditure.

In addition, public-interest entities should comply with transparency standards outlined by the Decree and appoint an external auditor to audit their finances.

If the entities fail to comply with the Decree, the Director-General of the Authority is authorised to take action against the entity.

This may include disciplinary action.

The Authority can also issue recommendations to the relevant authorities to dissolve the entity.

The Decree repeals any other legislation which may contradict it.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its issued date.

Also reported in Al Bayan on 10 April 2022. For full story see https://www.albayan.ae/uae/news/2022-04-10-1.4411786.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: New Investment Law Being Drafted

11/04/202211/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Saudi Gazette, 7 April 2022: Saudi Arabia’s Investment Ministry has announced it is drafting a new Investment Law.

The new Law will allow local and foreign investors to be treated equally.

The Ministry added they are currently completing studies on various provisions in the draft law.

It will come into force after the necessary approvals have been obtained from the higher authorities.

This is expected in the near future.

Foreign investors will have the freedom to manage, sell and dispose of their economic projects, as well as own properties to ensure the smooth operation of the economic project.

They will also have the freedom to conclude commercial contracts, acquire, liquidate or sell any company, facilitate procedures and provide facilities with the necessary support and assistance together with all of the relevant authorities.

Funds will be able to be transferred from inside and outside the Kingdom. These include transferring the proceeds and profits of economic projects and selling and liquidating them through regular channels using any currency recognised inside the Kingdom or disposing of it by any other legitimate means. It also includes protecting intellectual property, confidential commercial information and personal data and approaching the relevant courts or arbitration centres in the Kingdom.

Local and foreign investors will be subject to the same sectoral approval requirements for licenses and registration, as well as for approvals or permits for certain economic activities or special economic zones.

The confiscation of direct investments in whole or in part will be banned unless a relevant court ruling has been issued.

They will not be able to be expropriated in whole or in part except for the public benefit and in return for fair compensation either.

There will be provisions in the new law to impose fines of 500,000 Riyals on anyone who violates the Law or its Implementing Regulations.

They will be fined once they have been given a deadline to remedy the violations.

The investor’s registration or license will be cancelled as well and all or some of the investment facilities granted to the investor revoked.

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News developments

Bahrain: Maritime Law Ratified

11/04/202211/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Al Watan, 7 April 2022: Bahrain’s King has ratified Bahrain Law No. 10/2022 issuing the Maritime Law.

It had already been approved by the Shoura and Representative Councils.

Under Article 1, the Maritime Law will be enforced, in a way which does not conflict with the provisions of relevant international conventions and treaties and protocols in force in the Kingdom.

Under Article 2, the Law of Ship Registration and Determining Safety Conditions promulgated by Bahrain Decree-Law No. 14/1978 and the Maritime Law promulgated by Bahrain Decree-Law No. 23/1982 (as amended) as well as any provision which contradicts the provisions of the Law will be repealed.

Under Article 3, the Minister responsible for Ports and Maritime Affairs will issue the Implementing Regulations and decisions necessary to implement the Law.

They will do within six months of the Law being published in the Official Gazette.

For full story see https://alwatannews.net/Bahrain/article/1000003/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83-%D9%8A%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%82-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85-(10)-%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9-2022-%D8%A8%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A.

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News developments

Dubai International Financial Centre Launches Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Prescribed Company Regulations

06/04/202206/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

The Dubai International Financial Centre has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to the DIFC Prescribed Company Regulations. It ends on 4 May 2022.

The key amendments include consolidating and expanding the definition of Qualifying Applicant, consolidating and expanding the definition of Qualifying Purpose, disapplying certain provisions of the Companies Law, DIFC Law No. 5/2018 in respect of private companies for Prescribed Companies whose Qualifying Purpose is a Structured Financing or a Crowdfunding Structure.

There are also miscellaneous amendments.

The amendments are aimed at improving the DIFC’s regulatory framework and providing further structuring options for businesses operating in or from the Centre.

Also reported in Al Bayan on 5 April 2022. For full story see https://www.albayan.ae/economy/uae/2022-04-05-1.4408733.

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News developments

Dubai: Provision of Digital Services Law Approved

05/04/202206/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Dubai’s Ruler has issued Dubai Law No. 9/2022 on the regulation of the provision of digital services in the Emirate.

It has been issued to accelerate the Emirate’s digital transformation, improve the provision of digital services and promote the digitisation of services in the public and private sectors.

Under the Law and relevant decisions, Government entities and judicial authorities, including the Dubai Courts and Dubai Public Prosecution, as well as non-Government entities in Dubai, have to provide digital services to their customers.

The Chairman of the Executive Council will issue a decision on the roadmap for the implementation of the Law in line with the recommendations of the Digital Dubai Authority.

The Law outlines the conditions for providing digital services and adopting digital identities for obtaining subscribed services as well as cybersecurity requirements set by Dubai Electronic Security Centre.

It also covers the conditions for electronic payment solutions approved by the Department of Finance, service continuity in the event of disruptions, digital services approved by the Digital Dubai Authority and provision of services in Arabic, English and other languages.

Under the Law, digital services provided in Dubai must be user-friendly and accessible to disabled people free of charge.

The Digital Dubai Authority, together with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai and the Dubai Electronic Security Centre can exempt an entity from any of these conditions.

The Law states customers have to update their information submitted to digital service providers and adhere to terms and conditions outlined by the entity. Under the Law, customers will be held accountable for misusing the service and not adhering to required procedures.

In addition, under the Law, an entity can outsource its digital services to a public or private company, subject to the approval of relevant authorities and the Finance Department.

The outsourcing contract should clearly outline the responsibilities of each party, including contract duration and confidentiality requirements, as well as the rules for providing digital services.

The Director General of the Digital Dubai Authority, together with the General Secretariat of The Executive Council will issue the decisions and technical requirements required to implement the Law. These decisions will have to be published in the Official Gazette and the technical requirements published on the Digital Dubai Authority’s official website.

All digital service providers in Dubai must comply with the Law within a year of it being implemented.

The Chairman of the Executive Council can extend this deadline for a similar period based on the recommendations of the Digital Dubai Authority.

The Law states Federal and local legislations on digital transactions and digital signatures will apply to digital services in Dubai.

The Law will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its published date.

Also reported in Alroeya on 4 April 2022. For full story, click here.

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News developments

Oman: Grace Period for Expatriate Work Permits Extended

05/04/202205/04/2022
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Times of Oman, 1 April 2022: Oman’s Labour Ministry has announced the grace period for expatiate work permits has been extended.

They were due to expire on 31 March 2022.

They will now expire on 30 June 2022.

The grace period has been extended because of the ongoing fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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News developments

Turkey: Second Cryptocurrency Exchange Collapses

30/04/202130/04/2021
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Another cryptocurrency exchange has collapsed in Turkey. The country’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board has launched an investigation into the collapse of Vebitcoin. They have also blocked their accounts.

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