Tanya Jain, Author at LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Consultation on Draft Procurement Law

03/05/202403/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Argaam, 30 April 2024: The Ministry of Justice has circulated a draft “Public Procurement” law to government agencies for review.

The Ministry wishes to get their opinions, observations, and recommendations before drafting the new law in its final form, referring it to the Council of Ministers and then presenting it to the National Assembly.

The draft, law which has seven articles, stipulates the repeal of Kuwait Law No. 49/2016 On Public Tenders. As a result employees at the Central Agency for Tenders will be redeployed to other public entities at the same grades, and with the same salary and benefits.

Article 2 of the new law in Chapter One, specifies its scope of application and exceptions which include regulating the purchase of items, contracting and services, carried out on behalf of public entities, and contracts for import services for radio and television programmes.

Bodies including Defense Affairs, the National Guard, the Interior Ministry, Central Bank, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and its companies, and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare would be exempt from the new legislation.

Contracting in accordance with the provisions of the law will be through public tenders, but as an exception and by a reasoned decision from the competent minister, will will be possible to contract via limited tender, practice, competition, and direct order.

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News developments

Dubai: Strategy for Accelerating AI Adoption

03/05/202403/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

Al Watan, 30 April 2024: The Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council have launched Dubai’s annual plan to accelerate the integration of AI technology and applications.

Dubai’s annual plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence aims to enhance the quality of life across all sectors by integrating AI technology.

The plan also aims to create laws for using AI in different sectors, focusing on governing AI so advanced tools can be used in key areas for positive impacts, benefiting humanity and the quality of life.

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News developments

Bahrain: Shura Council Approves Law To Curb AI Abuse

03/05/202403/05/2024
by Tanya Jain

The Daily Tribune, 29 April 2024: The Shura Council has ratified a report from the Committee on Legislative and Legal Affairs endorsing a draft law which will regulate AI technology and its uses.

According to the committee, proposed penalties include a maximum fine of BD2,000 for individuals who program, process, or introduce AI in a way that violates individual freedom, invades the sanctity of private life, or undermines societal traditions.

Other penalties will include imprisonment and a fine ranging from BD5,000 to BD2,000 for individuals who design software or technology that promotes division among people.

The penalties will extend to those who manipulate official statements and create malicious fake visual and audio content.

The proposed law also ensures that those harmed by the use of artificial intelligence will have a right to request compensation for the damage they have suffered.

This law holds the owner of the robot or programmed machine responsible for the compensation of any damage caused by AI.

The Artificial Intelligence Unit will be given the authority to impose administrative penalties on licensed violators, ranging from a warning to license withdrawal and progressive administrative fines based on the severity of the violation.

The law also details criminal penalties.

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News developments

UAE: President Orders Study of Infrastructure After Heavy Rains

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 17 April 2024: The president of the UAE has stated that the safety of citizens and residents is the country’s top priority and ordered a study of the country’s infrastructure.

The president has also directed that support be given to all families affected by the severe weather conditions, and ordered the transfer of the affected to safe locations in cooperation with local authorities.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: MOU on Enforcement

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Alwatan, 16 April 2024: The head at The Board of Grievances and Chairman at the Administrative Judicial Council , along with the Justice Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Support and Liquidation Centre have signed a memorandum of understanding.

The aim of this memorandum is to hasten the fulfillment of rights issued by the Administrative Enforcement Court.

The memorandum outlines the delegation of asset selling and liquidation responsibilities. It allows for a digital link between the Administrative Enforcement Court and the Enforcement Centre, facilitating collaboration. This initiative aims to speed the execution of judgments and the fulfillment of rights.

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News developments

Qatar: Training Agreement Signed

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Raya, 22 April 2024: Qatar’s Labour Ministry and Qatar Professional Development have signed an agreement to establish a framework for collaboration in training, employing and professionally qualifying individuals with disabilities.

The agreement specifies how the Qatar Centre for Professional Development and the Labour Ministry will work together to train and help people with disabilities, including Qataris and children prepare for jobs.

They will also join special job training programmes and engage in official programmes and state events, which match their skills and job requirements.

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News developments

Kuwait: New Auditing Rules Approved

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Arab Times, 21 April 2024: Kuwait’s Central Bank has implemented new auditing rules as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle money laundering.

They have done so in line with Financial Action Task Force or FATF standards.

The Central Bank has mandated that exchange companies it supervises hire an impartial global auditing firm to assess compliance with Kuwait Law No. 106/2013 (the Anti-money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law).

The audit focuses on transactions and activities that appear strange or lack clear, legitimate economic purposes.

The auditing must be carried out twice a year on 30 June and 31 December. The new rules are aimed at ensuring transactions are not conducted with individuals or entities listed on international or national blacklists.

It also involves public benefit organisations and charitable institutions being investigated by a sample of their transactions being audited.

The audit also verifies customer information and details about the actual beneficiaries of transfers are properly collected and updated. Records of customers and their transactions must be retained for at least five years.

The appointed auditor cannot be an internal auditor or affiliated with the company’s internal control team.

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News developments

Dubai: Government Employees Should be Paid Early

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 21 April 2024: The Dubai government has ordered government employees be paid early this month.

They have ordered salaries be paid on 23 April 2024.

The government issued the order following heavy rains in the Emirate on 16 April 2024.

The order applies to government employees, military personnel, military retirees and social assistance holders affiliated with the Dubai government.

The payments will be made early to help employees manage their family needs and ensure their well-being during this period.

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News developments

Bahrain: Compensation for Weather Damage

26/04/202426/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Alwatan, 18 April 2024: The Rain Damage Evaluation Committee at the Works Ministry has released a form which can be filed for compensation requests for rainwater and sewage damage.

This form relates to issues involved with the Works Ministry or contractors handling road and sewage projects. Information required includes the applicant’s name, address of the damaged house, phone number, date and details of the damage, and the estimated cost to fix the damage.

Applicants must also provide pictures, or video clips verifying the damage, along with repair invoices, property ownership documents, and the owner’s card. In the case of car damage claims, ownership and insurance documents are also required.

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News developments

UAE: Volunteering Leads to a Golden Visa

19/04/202419/04/2024
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times, 14 April 2024: Volunteering in the UAE offers benefits, such as eligibility for a UAE Golden Visa, granting a 10-year residency permit.

There are a number of platforms which provide access to volunteering opportunities. These include Volunteers.ae which connects volunteers with organizations nationwide. Registration is open to individuals, teams, or companies. Users can also search for opportunities by category, organisation, or location, and see required volunteers and eligibility criteria.

Another site includes the UAE Red Crescent Authority, which is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and is found athttps://www.emiratesrc.ae/. Opportunities include charity, humanitarian aid, sponsorships, donations, and Sukuk Al Khair. Volunteers can also access training courses and support initiatives like Ataya.

The National Volunteer Program for Emergencies, Crisis, and Disasters, has also launched by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA). It aims to train volunteers to respond during crises. Details on programme participation and course registration can be found athttps://www.ncema.gov.ae/en/home.aspx.

In addition, the Dubai Volunteering Centre is a government body, which oversees volunteering in the UAE and focuses on Dubai. Volunteering opportunities can be found at https://www.cda.gov.ae/DubaiVolunteer/. Individuals or companies can register to volunteer with them.

The Sharjah Volunteering Centre is the largest volunteer network in Sharjah. it is possible to registration with it at https://sssd-volunteer.shj.ae/register. They offer programme and workshops to train volunteers and list opportunities across Sharjah, searchable by city and institution.

Dubai cares is a civil society organisation which if formally affiliated to the United Nations Department of Global Communications. It is possible to sponsor or volunteer for initiatives with them. Details such as country, partner, and date of each of their programmes are available at: https://www.dubaicares.ae/.

The Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an) in Abu Dhabi promotes a volunteering community via their website https://maan.gov.ae/en/ . Through Ma’an, volunteer groups and organisations can contribute via donations, volunteering, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The platform facilitates volunteer applications based on individual goals and allows organisations to recruit volunteers.

Volunteering at events often earns you volunteering hours and can even lead to applying for a Golden Visa if you’re a pioneer in humanitarian work.

In order to be eligible for a Golden Visa as a result of volunteering it is necessary to meet the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) criteria. This includes having worked for at least five years in international or regional organisations, or have been an distinguished worker there.; having been a member of a public benefit associations or institutions for at least five years, or having been a distinguished worker in one of these bodies; having received an award for recognition from a local, regional, or international institutions which focuses on humanitarian work; having been a distinguished volunteer in humanitarian work for at least five years or having completed 500 volunteer hours; or having supported humanitarian work financially with at least 2 million AED or the equivalent in another currency.

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