News developments Archives - Page 211 of 239

UAE: Confirmation on Salary Requirements for All Expats Sponsoring Family

27/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Salary and not job title is now the basis for residence visa applications for both male and female expats wanting to sponsor family members in the UAE, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) has clarified. Some women had been told by authorities in Dubai that only certain professions were eligible to sponsor their families. An FAIC spokesperson has now stated all expats male or female can now sponsor their spouse or children, provided they earn a monthly salary of 4,000 AED or at least 3,000 AED and have accommodation supplied by their employer. A FAIC official explained that the reason for the confusion was that a government website still states the previous requirements because it has not been updated yet.

Dubai: Nutritional Information on Menus Delayed

20/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

According to reports, the Dubai Municipality is going to delay the introduction of compulsory calorie information on menus in the Emirate. In May, a Circular was issued to all food outlets requiring this information to be shown which would have made Dubai the first Emirate to do so. The Municipality has decided to make displaying the information optional for the next two years and then make a Decision.

Saudi Arabia: New Decision Allowing Shops and Restaurants to Open 24/24

20/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a Decision allowing shops and restaurants to open 24 hours a day. The Decision has prompted confusion over whether shops will have to close five times a day for daily prayers. Entities wanting to open for 24 hours a day will also have to pay a fee to do so. The Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry will set the fee and state which activities can benefit from the Decision.

Kuwait: Applications for a Virtual Telecommunications Operator Now Open

19/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority has announced it is accepting applications for a virtual telecommunications operator in the country. When the license for this virtual operator is issued, they will be the fourth telecommunications provider in the country. They will join Ooredoo, Viva and Zain. Applications have to be submitted by 14 November and the successful applicant will be announced by 6 February 2020.

Bahrain: 10% Quota for SMEs in Government Tenders

16/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has directed the Prime Minister to expand quota preferences given to SMEs in Government procurement and tenders and in service facilities in Government entities. The Cabinet has decided the current quota of 10% of companies bidding for provision of Government services should be expanded to include tenders. The same percentage will apply. The Cabinet supported the measure following a review of the memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee.

Saudi Arabia: Franchise Law on the Way

16/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce and Investment Minister has announced the Franchise and Government Procurement Laws will be issued by the end of August this year. The Shoura Council approved the laws in March. The Franchise Law will govern the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. The Government Procurement Law aims to regulate the procedures related to business and procurement and prevent abuses of power and vested interests.

Oman: New Securities Law Being Considered

16/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Omani Government is considering a new Securities Law to help the securities market grow in the Sultanate. The draft is being reviewed by the Legal Affairs Ministry. It is expected to be approved and discussed by the end of the first quarter of 2020. If approved, there will be a Capital Market Law and a separate Securities Law. It will allow the roll-out of a diverse range of instruments for trading and investment in the securities market which will include derivatives such as swaps, forwards, futures, mortgage-backed securities and options. None of these can be traded in Oman at the moment. Trading in commodity derivatives, currency swaps, interest rate futures, credit default swaps, CFDs and international indices will also be allowed and Trusts will be introduced. They will provide a vehicle to Collective Investment Schemes. It will allow crowdfunding for small and medium enterprises to raise finance for their operations and growth.

Omani Bankruptcy Law Approved

06/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Sultan has issued five Sultani Decrees including a Decree approving the Bankruptcy Law. Oman Sultani Decree No. 53/2019 will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force one year after its publication in the Gazette. It will repeal Book Five of the Sultanate’s Trade Law and anything else which contradicts or contravenes it will be repealed. The Commerce and Industry Minister will issue the relevant regulations and decisions to implement the law following input from other specialist departments.

Qatar: New Freezone to be Established

06/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Free Zones Authority has announced it is planning to establish a new free zone in Msheireb district in downtown Doha. It will house the new Media City and IT companies. The Media City was established under Qatar Law No. 13/2019. It will be responsible for managing and developing media activities in the country. Microsoft has already got Cabinet approval to establish a global Azure Cloud Computing data centre in the country.

Dubai Launches a New Real Estate Investment Opportunities Initiative

06/07/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Land Department has announced it has launched a new Real Estate Investment Opportunities initiative. It is aimed at strengthening the Emirate’s competitiveness and attracting new real estate investments. It follows the Innovation Lab 2018 and a special office has been established at the Land Department’s Cube centre to facilitate and unify all related registrations and follow-up procedures. The Department has also approved a set of special privileges relating to real estate registration and terms and a special electronic contact website is going to be established to provide electronic services and respond to all future queries. A law is currently being drafted for real estate investment portfolios which are still under accreditation and review by the relevant parties.