Newsletter Archives - LexisNexis Middle East

Oman: Ministry of Economy – Competencies Set and Structure Approved

16/01/202616/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Oman Observer, 12 January 2026: Oman defined the Ministry of Economy’s mandates, approved its organisational structure, and merged the Vision 2040 Implementation Follow‑up Unit into the ministry.

Oman Sultani Decree No. 13/2026 moves allocations, assets and staff from the Vision 2040 unit to the ministry, aiming for tighter strategy‑to‑execution alignment across the national plan.

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UAE: Federal Real Estate Assets to Join Electronic Registry

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 13 January 2026: The UAE government has announced plans to integrate all federal real estate assets into a unified electronic registry to enhance transparency and streamline property management.

Officials confirmed that the initiative will create a centralised digital platform for recording and managing federal properties across the Emirates. The system aims to improve data accuracy, facilitate inter-agency coordination, and support strategic planning for asset utilisation.

Authorities stated that the registry will include detailed property information and enable real-time updates, forming part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation and governance reforms in the real estate sector.

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Sharjah: Launches of Integrated Digital Judicial Platform

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 January 2026: Sharjah has introduced a new integrated digital judicial platform designed to streamline case management, enhance transparency and improve access to justice across the emirate.

Sharjah is expanding its digital‑justice capabilities in line with the UAE’s wider smart‑governance strategy. Recent federal and emirate‑level digital‑security initiatives—such as RAK Police’s AI‑enabled predictive‑security platform—reflect a broader governmental shift toward integrated digital services, real‑time analytics and streamlined public‑facing platforms to enhance governance efficiency.

Sharjah’s new digital judicial platform is positioned within this national transformation, enabling more efficient case handling and improved communication between judicial departments. By digitising workflows, the system is expected to reduce procedural delays, facilitate remote service access and strengthen the reliability of judicial information systems. It aligns with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice’s ongoing effort to enhance service delivery through data‑driven processes and unified digital systems.

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Saudi Arabia: Commerce Ministry Bans Use of Religious Names on Bags and Packaging

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 12 January 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has prohibited printing the names of God on bags and packaging to preserve respect for religious expressions.

The Ministry announced a directive banning the inclusion of divine names on commercial packaging and shopping bags. The measure aims to prevent misuse and improper disposal of items bearing sacred references. Officials confirmed that the ban applies to all retailers and manufacturers, with compliance checks to follow.

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Ras Al Khaimah: Police Deploy AI‑Powered System to Anticipate Security Challenges

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 January 2026: Ras Al Khaimah Police have launched an AI‑driven smart system designed to anticipate security risks, enhance rapid response, and strengthen community safety.

Ras Al Khaimah Police unveiled a new integrated smart platform that uses artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to monitor emerging challenges and identify potential security risks across the emirate. According to officials, the system connects patrol units and surveillance cameras directly to operations rooms, enabling predictive analysis of hotspot areas and improving response times.

Acting Director‑General of Central Operations stated that the platform reflects a forward‑looking approach to policing by relying on data‑driven decision‑making and smart connectivity. Its applications are already visible in various initiatives across the emirate, including road‑safety programmes, deployment of smart and autonomous patrol vehicles, and early warning systems.

The system also integrates a suite of proactive smart services aimed at enhancing engagement with the public and supporting a community‑centred security model. By leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline operations and identify risks early, the initiative reinforces the Ministry of Interior’s strategic objectives for innovation‑led policing and more efficient service delivery.

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Qatar: Cabinet Approves Sweeping Reforms to Foreign Investment Law

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Times, 7 January 2026: Qatar has adopted major amendments to its foreign investment framework, aiming to attract greater non‑Qatari capital and boost private‑sector participation in the national economy.

The Cabinet stated it had examined and approved a draft law amending certain provisions of Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity on non‑Qatari capital in economic activity, with aims tied to attracting foreign investment and raising private‑sector GDP contribution under the Third National Development Strategy 2024‑2030. However, neither the Cabinet note nor related reportage specifies what provisions are being changed—such as ownership limits, sector eligibility, or listing rules.

Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity is well‑documented and already permits up to 100% foreign ownership in many sectors (subject to exclusions), alongside incentives (e.g., tax and customs‑duty exemptions; repatriation rights). Any new amendment would therefore matter most where 2019 left boundaries—for example, excluded sectors or residual approvals. Without the draft text, it is impossible to confirm whether the reform adjusts these boundaries or simply streamlines processes.

Officials and earlier policy briefings suggest a broader reform programme (bankruptcy, PPP, and commercial registration), signalling that procedural simplification is also on the table (e.g., single‑window, automated tax IDs, wider activity lists). But the current Cabinet note remains high‑level and does not enumerate article‑by‑article changes.

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Kuwait: New Residency Law Aims to Modernise Labour Market

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 12 January 2026: Kuwait has introduced a new residency law designed to streamline work permits and enhance labour market flexibility as part of its economic modernisation agenda.

Kuwaiti government announced reforms under a new residency law that will simplify procedures for foreign workers and employers. The law seeks to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve transparency in employment contracts, and align residency rules with international best practices.

Officials stated that the changes aim to attract skilled talent, support private sector growth, and curb illegal employment practices. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that implementing regulations will follow, detailing compliance requirements for businesses and workers.

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DIFC: DFSA Implements Major Updates to Crypto Token Regulatory Framework

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The Dubai Financial Services Authority has brought into force significant updates to its Crypto Token regulatory framework in strengthening market integrity and supporting innovation.

The DFSA announced that the updated framework follows its October 2025 consultation and marks a substantial evolution of the regime first introduced in 2022.

A central change has been the shift from DFSA‑led suitability assessments to firm‑led evaluations. Firms providing financial services involving crypto tokens must now determine—on a reasoned and documented basis—whether each token meets the DFSA’s suitability criteria. As part of this transition, the DFSA will no longer publish a list of Recognised Crypto Tokens. This change introduces greater industry responsibility while ensuring that firms develop structured assessment processes and maintain clear documentation supporting their determinations.

In addition to the new assessment model, the revised framework introduces enhanced investor‑protection measures, refined conduct and operational requirements, and proportionate reporting obligations aligned with current global digital‑asset market realities. These safeguards aim to ensure innovation in DIFC’s crypto ecosystem is matched with accountability, transparency and strong governance.

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Bahrain: Shura Council Set to Back Tougher Anti‑Financial Crime Law

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Digital News, 9 January 2026: Bahrain is preparing to strengthen its legal framework against money laundering and terrorism financing as the Shura Council moves to approve significant amendments to the kingdom’s anti‑financial crime legislation.

The Shura Council is expected to approve new amendments to its principal anti‑financial crime law during its upcoming 11 January session, according to the council’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee. The amendments, set out in Bahrain Decree‑Law No. 36/2025, overhaul provisions of Bahraini Laws on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (Bahrain Decree-Law No. 4/2001). The revision is driven by urgent national and international commitments designed to ensure stronger compliance with global financial‑crime standards.

The enhanced framework aims to combat illicit financial flows by modernising regulatory tools, increasing oversight mechanisms, and aligning the kingdom’s obligations with evolving international counter‑terrorism financing requirements.

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Abu Dhabi: Enhancement of Crisis Readiness with New Centre in Al Dhafra

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 10 January 2026: Abu Dhabi has activated a new Coordination and Follow‑up Centre in the Al Dhafra region to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve on‑ground crisis response capabilities.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre (ADCMC) has launched a specialised crisis‑readiness hub in Al Dhafra, one of the emirate’s largest and most geographically diverse regions. The move expands ADCMC’s operational presence across remote and economically significant areas, improving the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.

Executive Director of the Response and Recovery Sector at ADCMC, emphasised that Al Dhafra’s geographical scale, environmental diversity and strategic economic role require a tailored approach to preparedness. The shift from a centralised model to a distributed capability structure brings crisis‑response assets closer to potential incident locations, ensuring faster decision‑making and stronger coordination during emergencies.

The Centre’s activation forms an additional pillar within Abu Dhabi’s broader emergency‑management ecosystem. By integrating spatial flexibility and institutional coordination, the initiative strengthens field readiness, enhances collaboration with local partners and provides a globally informed model for emergency, crisis and disaster management. ADCMC previously activated a similar centre in Al Ain, reflecting a continued expansion of region‑based readiness frameworks.

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