News developments Archives - Page 167 of 226

Oman: The Director-General of Disease Control and Surveillance announced a unified Coronavirus health passport will be discussed by GCC health officials next week

26/02/202126/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Director-General of Disease Control and Surveillance in Oman has announced a unified Coronavirus health passport will be discussed by GCC health officials next week. Health officials from the GCC countries will discuss it next week. They will also consider travel and movement between GCC countries. It follows the launch of a digital Covid vaccine passport in Bahrain earlier this month. They became one of the first countries in the world to do so. The green COVID-19 Vaccinated shield will be issued to vaccinated people with a username, date of birth, nationality and which vaccine they received. It will help authorities verify the validity of users by scanning a QR code which is linked to a national vaccine register.

KSA: International companies that wish to participate in the Saudi government’s investment opportunities will have to establish regional headquarters in the kingdom from January 2024

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

International companies that wish to participate in the Saudi government’s investment opportunities will have to establish regional headquarters in the kingdom from January 2024 or they will not win government contracts, the Saudi finance minister has told Reuters. International companies which refuse to move their regional headquarters to Saudi Arabia after this time would continue to have the freedom to work with the private sector in the country. However, some sectors will be exempt and detailed regulations on this area will be issued before the end of 2021. This will affect all the authorities, organisations, and funds of the government from any of its organisations. The aim is also to ensure that the products and services purchased by the government are implemented in the kingdom and with suitable local content.

Qatar: The Qatari cabinet has approved a number of decisions including a template draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

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

The Qatari cabinet has approved a number of decisions including a template draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and their precursors in the field of civil aviation between the government of Qatar and the government of any other country. The cabinet has also approved a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of exchanging financial investigations related to combating money laundering and terrorist financing between the Financial Information Unit in the State of Qatar, the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Financial Intelligence Unit in the Republic of the Philippines.

Oman: The Labour Minister has issued a ministerial decision on the Omanisation of certain professions

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

The Labour Minister has issued a ministerial decision on the Omanisation of certain professions by limiting them to Omani nationals including jobs in the private higher education institutions. The aim is to increase job opportunities for Omani nationals in areas where they are able to be competitive. The decision states that Omani nationals should be appointed in all administrative, financial and other sectors related to admitting and registering students and jobs related to students affairs and services. It was also stressed that the ministry was continuing its search for solutions that boost investment and empowers national manpower.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.