Sources at Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower have announced employees who entered the country with an employment contract for the public sector then transferred to work with the private sector then went back to the public sector can transfer back to the private sector without the intervention of the Supreme Committee. The sources added the implementation of Administrative Decisions cannot be backdated. The transfer requests which are related to employees who have been moving in and out of the public sectors before the relevant Administrative Decision was issued should not be subject to the prohibition.
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved new power regulations to expand the Saudi Water and Electricity Company’s (WEC) remit. The amendments mean WEC, as the Kingdom’s main water buyer, will be able to purchase desalinated, purified, treated and untreated water. The aim is boost water and electricity distribution in the country.
Lebanon’s Environment Minister, has announced new hunting regulations are on the way. Hunting any animal was banned in the country in 1994. New legislation was agreed in 2004 but has never been enforced. Prospective hunters will have to pass physical and mental health exams. In addition they will have to pass reading and practical exams on hunting laws, before receiving a license. They will have to be able to identify bird species which can be hunted as well as annual hunting quotas. Those who cannot read or write will be able to take an oral exam. Hunting will also now be limited to certain areas and hunting in nature reserves will be banned. This year’s official hunting season will run from September 2017 to January 2018.
Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft VAT Law and its Executive Regulations. The Cabinet also approved a draft income tax law and its draft executive regulation. If approved further, the amendments will replace Qatar Law No. 21/2009 and Qatar Law No. 17/2014. In addition, a draft Ministerial Decision issuing the Executive Regulations to the selective tax law were approved. It include provisions on tax entitlement, declarations of loss or damage of selective goods, inspection of damaged goods, registration, tax declaration, rules of payment of tax for locally produced goods, maintenance of accounting systems, accounting records and control and inspection rules.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced a new Ministerial Decision amending the Executive Regulations to the Federal Traffic Law has been published in the Official Gazette. Under the new rules, driving licences issued for the first time will be valid for two years, while renewed licences will be valid for 10 years for citizens and five years for expatriates. Expatriates will also need to have a valid residence permit to renew licences. The new rules also cover registration and licensing rules, stopping distance rules, driving in residential areas, who can sit in the front of a car and traffic routes for buses.
The UAE’s Cabinet is considering a new Public Health Law, which if approved will upgrade occupational safety management systems, especially for workplace injuries. It will also ensure good health and safety standards are laid out for all employees. Article 22 of the Law focuses on health and safety, including preventive treatments to improve employees’ health.
Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission has announced citizens and expatriates will only be allowed to own two prepaid SIM cards. The announcement follows concerns over terrorist attacks in the country and the regulator hopes the restriction is temporary. The limit applies to voice and data lines in the Kingdom.
The UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority has announced it will disclose the names of those who violate its provisions in line with Securities and Commodities Authority Decision No 30/2016. The aim is to protect investors and enhance the principles of sound and fair practices. It is also aimed at improving the efficiency of UAE capital markets. The Securities and Commodities Authority will investigate any alleged violations before publishing their details. If a violation has occurred, the Authority will publish the names and job titles of violators along with the type of infringement(s) and the penalty imposed on its website. Violators will be able to appeal an infringement decision. During this time their details will not be published.
A senior economist has said the Governments of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could increase VAT from 5 to 10% by 2020. In addition, the Governments of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia are looking at introducing a 10% tax on business profits. Qatar already has this type of tax and the UAE imposes 20% on the profits of foreign banks.
Oman’s Government is considering adopting a governance structure as part of plans to open the door for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the Sultanate. A new PPP law has already been drafted and is likely to be enacted soon. It could adopt some of the existing bodies and functions under the existing Privatisation Law. It also sets out a legal framework for the procurement of PPP projects in the country.
