News developments Archives - Page 201 of 223

Bahrain: Calls to End the System of Flexible Work Permits

08/04/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahraini MPs have called on the Government to end the system of flexible work permits used by freelancers immediately and compensate merchants for damage caused by the system. The Labour Minister has said flexible workers do not have the right to establish a private company and added the practice does not hurt Bahraini employment. Workers will not be allowed to move to another sponsor until two years of service and will pay 500 Dinars in insurance when entering the country to cover any claims against them.

Bahrain: Independent Family Medicine Clinics for Healthcare Professionals

30/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Cabinet has amended standards for health professionals. Doctors qualified to work in public and private hospitals are to be permitted to open and run their own independent clinics, following a training program launched by the Arab Gulf University. The Cabinet amended the requirements for such professionals to permit Bahrainis with at least a masters’ degree in family medicine to become licensed and open private family medicine clinics. The amendments are a part of the National Employment Program, seeking to create more jobs for Bahrainis. The Prime Minister has set a target to employ 240 Bahraini doctors over the coming two years.

Egypt: Amendments to Egypt Law No. 196/2017 Regulating the Gas Market Activities

30/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt’s President has issued a Decree amending the Law regulating the activities of the gas market, promulgated by Egypt Law No. 196/2017. The Decree revokes Article 10(6) of Egypt Law No. 196/2017. It had said the Board of Directors of the Gas Regulatory Authority will adopt a system for monitoring and determining the performance criteria of licensees with respect to gas market activities. The Decree has been published in the Official Gazette.

Dubai: Private Schools Allowed to Increase Fees Again

30/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai private schools will be allowed to increase their fees again in the next academic year, following an approval by the Ruler at a meeting of the Dubai Executive Council, on the condition that their quality rating has not slipped in the last year’s government inspections. Schools are expected to work within an approved framework instituted by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Saudi Arabia: Transfer Pricing Guidelines Published

24/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Zakat and Tax has issued guidelines on transfer pricing in Arabic and English. They cover the basic concept of transfer pricing and arm’s length principle. The Authority provides specific guidance on financial transactions, intangibles and business restructuring. The guidelines also provide guidance on selection of transfer pricing method, transfer pricing documentation, valuation, transfer pricing adjustments and details on audits.

Kuwait: New Decree Establishing Real Estate Broker’s Book

23/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Commerce and Industry Minister has issued a Decree establishing a Real Estate Broker’s Book. The Book will be online and is aimed at finalising the regulation of the country’s real estate sector and eliminate market manipulations. Under the Decree, the Commerce and Industry and Justice Ministries, Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Civil Information will establish a database with details of any property which is being traded in terms of disputes and ownership status. Those who have obtained the relevant e-permits from the Public Authority for Civil Information will then be able to register on the e-booking system.

UAE: New Measures to Increase the Regulation of the Pharmaceutical Industry

23/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The government of the UAE is set to pass new measures to increase the regulation of the pharmaceutical industry. Under the legislation, currently under review, those caught selling counterfeit medicine with be punished with up to five years in prison and a 1 million AED fine. There will also be prison sentences for up to a year in jail and a 500,000 AED for those selling poisonous substances. In addition, pharmacies caught overcharging for products could be fined up to 100,000 AED, with fines doubling for repeat offenders. Existing UAE legislation for in this area pharma industry dates back to 1983. The Federal National Council has said the draft laws would shortly be referred to the Cabinet. The FNC has also added pharmacists found to have faked a licences would be fined up to 200,000 AED and sentenced to two years in jail.

Bahrain: Amendments to the Private Health Establishments Law

16/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has approved Bahrain Law No. 1/2019 amending Article 14 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2015 on private health establishments. Article 14A(2) of Bahrain Law No. 21/2015 now states, ‘Priority must be given in a private health establishment to recruitment of Bahraini physicians, technicians and nursing staff who are in possession of the requisite qualification and experience, with the exception of positions that require unavailable rare specialised expertise’. Private health establishments have to comply with this law once their contracts with non-Bahraini physicians, technicians and nursing staff have expired. The Law has been published in the Official Gazette and came into effect on its publication date.

UAE: New Insurance Dispute Committees to be Established

16/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Insurance Authority has announced it has finalised its consultations with the Justice Ministry and local courts to establish committees to settle insurance disputes and stipulate their workflows. They added the consultations cover all regulatory issues and proposals including the power of their decisions, appeals and execution. The Authority confirmed the expected amendments establishing the Authority do not provide for judges being chairmen of these committees but this proposal is still being considered.

Amendments to the UAE Civil Procedure Code Approved

10/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Cabinet has approved a Decision amending the country’s 1992 Civil Procedure Code in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial Strategy 2071. They are aimed at strengthening and modernising judicial procedures to ensure they can be applied more easily. The amendments include unifying procedures in all civil courts across the country along with the necessary flexibility to implement judicial decisions in line with the requirements of each judicial body. They were introduced following cooperation between the Federal Justice Ministry, the Supreme Committee of Dubai Legislation, the Judicial Councils and the Military Court. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Dubai Courts, Ras al Khaimah Courts and DIFC Courts will have 100 days to reflect the amendments in their procedures.