News developments Archives - Page 202 of 223

Kuwait: Health Insurance to Become Mandatory for Tourists

09/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s National Assembly has approved a draft law which will mean tourists visiting the country will have to have a health insurance policy which covers the duration of their stay there. The aim is to ensure tourists do not receive medical treatment in the country. A visit visa cannot be granted until the Interior Ministry has seen the health insurance policy documentation. The amount of coverage has not been specified in the law, but this is likely to be clarified when the Ministry prepares the bylaws to implement the law which is expected within the next two to three months.

KSA: Update on Online Registration Process for Employment Contracts

09/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Labour and Social Development Ministry (MLSD) has issued a draft Decision on the mandatory requirement for private sector employers to upload their entire workforce’s employment contracts to the General Organisation for Social Insurance’s (GOSI) electronic portal. The draft law has been sent for public consultation and is expected to come into effect in the next couple of weeks. Depending on the total number of workers, companies will have to upload contracts for a specific portion of their headcount within deadlines set out in the Ministerial Decision. The uploading process must be completed for the whole workforce by the end of 2019.

UAE: New Medical Laboratory Regulations Announced

02/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology has announced all medical laboratories operating in the country will have to adhere to new regulations. Affected entities will have to obtain the appropriate accreditation from relevant accredited bodies. The regulations were drafted together with Abu Dhabi’s Quality and Conformity Council. The aim is to enhance the efficiency of the country’s laboratories and the Authority’s National Accreditation Department will oversee the implementation of the system.

Oman: Social Media Law Being Prepared

02/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Shoura Council is considering a new social media law. The head of the Council’s Media and Culture Committee said the law will not limit freedom of speech. They added the aim is to protect individuals, institutions or the country from rumours about them on social media. As part of this, where rumours are posted, the affected entity will be able to lodge complaints directly against them.

Egypt: Draft SME Law to be Presented to Parliament Soon

01/03/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Chairperson of Egypt’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency has announced the Cabinet is finalising the draft SME law. Once they have approved the draft law, it will be submitted to the House of Representatives to consider. It is expected to be submitted within ten days and amongst other things will allow these entities to obtain financing which is not allowed under the existing Egypt Law No. 141/2004.

Jordan’s Lower House Rejects Amendments to Cybercrimes Law

23/02/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Jordan’s Lower House has rejected the amended cybercrimes law. The law was redrafted by the Government in December 2018 to try and address criticism of it, particularly in relation to the definition of hate speech. The definition was amended to ‘every writing and every speech or action intended to provoke sectarian or racial sedition, advocate violence or foster conflict between followers of different religions and various components of the nation’.

Egypt: Cybercrimes Law Issued

23/02/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt’s President has issued Egypt Law No. 175/2018 on cybercrimes which will recognise electronic evidence in trials. It has been published in the Official Gazette. The law criminalises the improper use of data, information and information systems and attacks on emails, accounts, websites, networks, state information systems. It applies to import, export or circulation of any designed, developed or modified equipment, tools, software, codes or similar data without the authorisation of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority. Relevant crimes include creating websites, special and email accounts, falsifying private or legal persons and abuses of privacy, whether by sending spam or transferring personal data without consent, whether true or falsified, or publishing pictures or the like.

UAE: Draft Federal Law Regulating the Practicing of Medical Professions Approved

18/02/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Federal National Council has approved a draft federal law regulating the practicing of medical professions. It will apply to all those who practice or request to practice the profession in the country and the free zones.

Abu Dhabi: New Public Consultation by the ADGM to Revise its Anti-Money Laundering Regime

18/02/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Global Market has launched a public consultation on proposed revisions to the Market’s regime for tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation and the financing of unlawful organisations. The consultation ends on 12 March 2019.

Abu Dhabi: Investment Office to be Estabilished

10/02/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Ruler has issued two new Laws, including Abu Dhabi Law No. 1/2019 establishing an Investment Office in the Emirate. The Office will be responsible for executing a comprehensive strategy for increasing Foreign Direct Investment to the Emirate. In addition, they will be able to set up a PPP Centre of Excellence. He also issued Abu Dhabi Law No. 2/2019 regulating partnerships between the public and private sectors.