News developments Archives - Page 224 of 239

Bahrain to Offer 10-year Residency Visas to Foreign Investors – LNB News ( 06/06/2018)

10/06/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

In a bid to boost foreign investment, the Bahraini authorities have announced they are planning on issuing ten-year residency visas to foreign investors.

The visas will be renewable and will enable foreign investors to self-sponsor themselves. It follows an announcement by the UAE authorities that they were going to relax their investment rules and introduce a ten-year visa for investors and innovators as well as medical, scientific, research and technical professionals.

Saudi Arabia: E-medicine System Completed – LNB News (05/06/2018)

10/06/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Newspaper: Al-Madina, 4 June 2018

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Food and Medicine has announced it has completed an e-medicine system to track medicine from production to customers.

The aim is to ensure medicines are readily available and are safe. The Authority has placed barcodes on packaging and created the necessary technical infrastructure to host the movement details of medicines. They are also working with relevant parties including factories, importers, storage units and distribution centres, hospitals and pharmacies to implement the system.

UAE: Unaccompanied Minors Now Need Parental Authorisation When Entering UAE – LNB News (04/06/2018)

10/06/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Newspaper: Gulf News, 1 June 2018

From 1 June 2018, those under 18 years will not be allowed to travel to the UAE without an authorisation letter from their parents if they are not travelling with their parents.

The authorisation form must be completed by the parents with relevant details of the child’s address overseas and in the UAE and information about who will receive the child in the UAE. Even in cases where the minor is travelling with another family member, an authorisation letter from the parents, or guardians will still be required, Air India has said. Airline staff are able to escort minors through immigration, provided that the form has been completed and the process of handing them over to the authorised person has been duly followed.

It has been stated minors could be deported if the immigration authorities in the UAE suspect illegal activity and the information provided is insufficient to address such concerns. In such cases, the normal process and subsequent fines will also apply.

Jordan: Income Tax Law Amendments Approved

27/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Jordanian Cabinet has approved a draft law amending the 2014 Income Tax Law, Jordan Law No 34/2014. The draft law aims to address income tax avoidance and evasion. It is also aimed at improving tax administration, enhancing the voluntary commitment of taxpayers and expanding the tax base. It will now be sent to Jordan’s Lower House for consideration in an extraordinary session.

Qatar: Third Version of the Class Licence for Short Range Devices Issued

27/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority has announced it has issued the third version of the Class Licence for Short Range Devices. The issuing of the licence follows a public consultation in 2017 and will allow stakeholders to introduce new technologies and devices in the market. It will also allow them to prepare better for demands in the future. The new class licence includes new frequency bands for Short Range Devices for a wide range of M2M applications and a separate section for wireless access systems which includes radio local area network and radio microphone applications. It also includes the corresponding authorised frequency ranges and the maximum allowed output power. Anyone who gets this licence will be able to possess, install and operate for their personal use the approved class of devices at prescribed frequencies without having to apply for one. Those who are using them for non-commercial purposes will not have to pay licence or spectrum fees, but if they are using them for commercial purposes they will need to obtain import and type approvals from the Authority.

Saudi Arabia: New Patient Strategy Centre Established

19/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Tawfik Alrabiya has announced a new patient strategy centre for following up on medical mistakes has been established. The aim is improve procedures in this area. Alrabiya added the Health Ministry is looking to reduce the number of medical mistakes by developing and improving the relevant authorities to help document and treat cases quickly.

Dubai: New Initiatives Launched by Airport Free Zones Authority

19/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Airport Free Zones Authority has launched two initiatives. The first, Dubai Blink will provide the first digital platform for free zones who use artificial intelligence and Blockchain for trading between companies and enterprises. The second initiative will see the first financial market especially for free zones created. The initiatives are part of the Dubai 10X initiative which was launched by HRH Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in February.

Dubai: Surgical Filming Banned

12/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Dubai’s Health Authority has issued a Circular banning all surgical filming in health care facilities in the Emirate. The Director of Health Regulation at the Health Authority, Dr Marwan Al Mulla said the Circular has been issued following an increase in people who aren’t allowed to be in theatres filming surgery to air live on social media channels. These activities can affect health professional’s concentration during surgery and violates infection control laws. Anyone who violates the Circular will be guilty of violating a patient’s privacy and even if the patient says they can enter they will not be able to.

Saudi Arabia: Female Driving Ban to be Lifted Soon

12/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Director General of Saudi Arabia’s General Department of Traffic Director General, Mohammed al-Bassami has announced the female driving ban will be lifted from next month. From 24 June, women will be allowed to drive in the Kingdom. Women over 18 will be allowed to apply for a driver’s licence and women with foreign driving licences will be able to apply for a local one separately following an assessment of their driving ability. Driving schools for women have been set up across five cities in the country. Learner drivers will be taught by men and women, some of whom obtained their licenses abroad.

Saudi Arabia: Aramco Shares to Be Allocated Not Only to Saudi Nationals

06/05/201811/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council has refused recommendations to facilitate the purchase of largest share of Aramco by Saudi nationals. The proposal called for 50% of the total number of shares to be allocated to Saudis only to maximise the country’s wealth. Council members refused to support the proposal because the listing of this volume of shares is the largest public listing in terms of financial value and the local market will not be enough to accommodate it. It is therefore important to include foreign investors.