News developments Archives - Page 209 of 226

Qatar: Free Media Zone to be Established

29/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved the establishment of a free media zone aimed at attracting international media, technology companies and research institutions. The aim will also be to integrate activities with other state projects and support the establishment of investment funds focusing on media organisations. Media which will be supported will include digital, film and television. The Director of the Government Communications Office said the decision will allow foreign journalists to register in the zone. It follows the Cabinet’s recent approval of a draft law on freedom of the press.

Jordan’s Legislation and Opinion Bureau has Published a Draft Zakat Law

23/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Jordan’s Legislation and Opinion Bureau has published a draft Zakat law. If approved it will establish a General Zakat Organisation which will have its own financial and legal independence, a Board of Trustees and branches and offices across the country. A fund to succeed the Zakat Fund established under Jordan Law No. 8/1988 will also be established and that law and its regulations will be repealed. The Board’s members will be drawn from individuals recommended by the Cabinet, including the Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites Minister. It will identify Islamic banks in which Zakat funds are placed, make plans for expenditures, regulations and carry out other budgetary and administrative duties. It will also issue recommendations on Zakat payments. The law specifies the way in which Zakat funds will be spent. It will come into effect on its publication in the Official Gazette.

UAE: Expatriate Retirement Visa Law Approved

23/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Cabinet of the UAE has announced a new law on residency visas for retirees. From 2019, foreign nationals looking to retire in the UAE will be able to obtain a renewable five-year residency visa, according to the announcement by the Cabinet. General conditions state that the new visa will be available to applicants over 55 who meet the following eligibility criteria, among other yet unannounced conditions such as investment in a property worth a minimum of two million AED in the UAE; or financial savings of no less than one million AED; or active income of at least 20,000 AED a month. It is expected a list of additional requirements and further visa conditions will be announced closer to the implementation date of the law.

Saudi Arabia: Plain Cigarette Packaging Could be Adopted

16/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

According to the World Trade Organisation, Saudi Arabia could follow Australia and other countries and adopt plain cigarette packaging. The Kingdom has apparently notified the Organisation. No date for the introduction was given but when it does it will become the first GCC country to do so.

Dubai: Landlords Cannot Remove Contents of Rented Properties Without Judicial Orders

16/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Rental Dispute Centre of Dubai’s Land Department has confirmed landlords or property managers cannot remove contents of a rented property without having obtained a judicial order first. The Centre said legal procedures should be respected when a legal dispute arises between a landlord and tenants including serving a notice of eviction to the tenant using one of the methods provided for by the relevant law. The Centre said the execution of the judicial order should be done by specialists from the Centre then a landlord can access a disputed property.

Bahrain: Some Foreign Branches Allowed to Open Without Local Partner

08/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Cabinet has approved amendments to allow some foreign companies to open branches without needing a Bahraini partner. The moves would be based on Article 345 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 28/2015 which amended some of the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law promulgated by Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2001. The Industry, Trade and Tourism Ministry has submitted a memorandum to facilitate this. The exemptions would apply to industries with strategic economic importance to the Kingdom.

Kuwait: Age Limit for Recruiting Foreigners will be Reduced to 60

02/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait is looking to impose a new cap on hiring foreigners based on their age, as part of a an official drive to address the demographic imbalance in the country as Kuwaiti nationals represent only 30 per cent of the total population. Under the proposal, the age limit for recruiting foreigners will be reduced from 65 to 60 and no contract for any expatriate who turns 60 will be renewed. A limited number of positions that require particularly high skills would be exempted from the new rules. Other measures being considered by the Interior, Social affairs, Labour and Trade Ministries include confining family visit visas to spouses and children and limiting them to one month without the possibility of renewal. Currently, family visit visas cover expatriates’ relatives, including their parents, and can be extended. The Ministry of Interior is also considering reducing the number of work permits to members of some large communities, and limiting them to government contracts and technical specialities. Increasing recruitment fees and health insurance and requiring expatriates to undergo medical check-ups before entering Kuwait are other options being considered.

Saudi Arabia: Plan to Replace Expatriates with Saudi Nationals in 12 Occupations within the Next 5 Months

02/09/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia is planning to replace expatriates with Saudi nationals in 12 occupations within the next five months. The first phase of the latest Saudisation drive will cover salespersons in car and motorcycle shops, clothing stores, children’s clothing, men’s accessories, home and office furniture stores, and sales of household utensils. Implementation will begin on 11 September 2018. A second phase, two months later, will include watch shops, optician shops, electrical appliances and electronic shops, and the third phase, which will start in mid-January 2019, will target salespeople in medical equipment stores, construction materials shops, auto spare parts shops, carpet shops and confectionery stores. The Saudisation of these 12 professions was announced in January when Minister of Labour and Social Development Ali Al Ghafees issued a decree to limit work in them to Saudi men and women from the start of the New Hijri Year. A committee was formed to develop a programme for nationalising the 12 occupations and to coordinate with relevant authorities. Committee members have been drawn from the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF), and the Social Development Bank.

Jordan’s Cabinet has Approved a Code of Conduct on Disclosing Conflicts of Interest

12/08/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Jordan’s Cabinet has approved a code of conduct on disclosing conflicts of interest. The code sets out the duties and responsibilities of Ministers. It also defines principles obliging the president and members of the Cabinet to abide by the rule of law, transparency, disclosure of conflicts of interest, previous professional and trade relations, accountability, integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, justice and equal opportunities.

Ministers may accept ordinary official or honorary gifts and other forms of appreciation, but must not accept or seek any kind of gift, benefit or other allowance. Gifts to Ministers exceeding 50 Dinars will have to be disclosed. Any gifts exceeding 50 Dinars will be considered public funds and property to be transferred to the Department of General Supplies. Ministers will have to disclose to the PM any conflict of personal and professional interests. Ministers will not be able to use their influence to benefit themselves, family members, or other related bodies. In addition, Ministers may not use information gained while in office to benefit themselves after they have left. They must also wait one year after leaving office to contract with the Ministry they ran. Finally, Ministers and their relatives must not trade in shares of companies they are responsible for, or benefit from material and non-public information.

Bahrain: Tougher Utility Penalties Announced

12/08/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has issued a Law adding a new Article 6 Bis to Bahrain Decree-Law No 1/1996 regarding electricity and water. The new article imposes fines up to 1,000 Dinars on those who erect electrical wiring extensions without the appropriate licenses or who don’t comply with the relevant safety requirements. Repeat violators will be jailed for up to three months and/or fined up to 2,000 Dinars. The Prime Minister and other Ministers will implement the Law and it will come into force on the day following its published date in the Official Gazette.