News developments Archives - Page 7 of 223

Kuwait: Introduces New Regulations for Freelance Business Activities

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Anba, 15 September 2025: Kuwait’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has implemented comprehensive new regulations for freelance businesses through Kuwait Ministerial Decision No. 168/2025, establishing specific guidelines for 120 approved business activities.

Key regulations include: Licensing Requirements: Must be registered as a single-person company, Minimum age requirement of 21 years, Kuwaiti nationality mandatory, Clean criminal record required and a Four-year licence validity period.

Administrative Requirements: Registered postal address or email required, Property owner’s consent for home-based businesses, Mandatory fee payment, Environmental and public safety compliance, Electronic payment systems mandatory for all transactions and a Disclosure of commercial registration number on all official accounts.

Financial Provisions: Reduced capital requirements to 50% of similar traditional businesses and Multiple related activities permitted under single licence.

Approved Activities Include: Professional consultancy services, Tourism and travel services, Photography services, Sports and recreation facilities, Interior design services, Real estate services, Cultural and educational services, Agricultural and livestock brokerage and Industrial facility management.

The ministry will provide periodic reports to the Public Authority for Manpower regarding compliance with the new regulations. All business transactions must be conducted through electronic payment methods only.

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Dubai: Sets New Building Design Standards for National Housing

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Emarat Al Youm, 15 September 2025: Dubai Municipality has introduced three key structural requirements for the design of nationals’ villas, whilst taking action against engineering firms found in violation of building codes.

The new standards mandate compliance with the Dubai Building Code and approved engineering standards, require a balance between structural safety and economic cost, and specify the use of building materials only as required without excess.

The municipality recently issued warnings to several engineering consultancy offices after detecting professional malpractices involving excessive structural designs for nationals’ villas. These practices were found to conflict with Dubai Building Code requirements and led to unjustified increases in construction costs.

The main violation involved over-engineering of structural designs, with excessive use of steel reinforcement and concrete without engineering justification. The municipality identified these violations through both design reviews and on-site inspections.

Officials noted that some designs included unnecessary reinforcement and oversized structural elements that increased costs for homeowners without technical necessity.

The municipality has warned consulting offices to avoid these practices to prevent negative annual evaluations and potential disciplinary measures under applicable regulations.

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Bahrain: Strengthens Corporate Governance with New Legal Amendments

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Bilad Press, 12 September 2025: Bahrain has introduced significant amendments to its Commercial Companies Law (Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2001), expanding personal liability for company executives and directors.

The key amendment to Article 18 of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2001 extends personal liability to both visible and hidden company managers. Under the new provisions, directors, board members, and actual managers of shareholding companies and limited liability companies will be personally liable with their private assets for damages affecting the company, shareholders, partners, or third parties.

The revised law specifically addresses responsibility in cases of negligence, gross error, or violations of company laws and articles of association. Notably, the amendments establish that liability cannot be avoided even if violations result from board or general assembly decisions, unless the individual formally objected and recorded their opposition in meeting minutes.

The legislation introduces joint and collective responsibility in cases involving multiple violators. Absence from meetings where damaging decisions were made does not exempt individuals from liability unless they can prove they were unaware of the decision or unable to object.

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ADGM: Updates Data Protection Rules for Insurance and Education

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The National, 16 September 2025: Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre has strengthened its data protection regulations with new amendments specifically targeting the insurance and education sectors.

The revised Data Protection Guidelines 2021 introduce ‘Substantial Public Interest Rules’, which establish clearer protocols for handling sensitive personal information.

Under the new regulations, insurers must follow specific procedures when processing special categories of personal data. The amendments include precise definitions of “insurance contract” and “insurance purpose” to ensure uniform implementation across the industry.

A key provision allows for processing sensitive personal data without consent in cases involving children or individuals at risk of harm. The rules extend protection to vulnerable adults aged 18 and above, once they meet specified criteria.

The guidelines define at-risk individuals as those requiring care and support, facing neglect or physical, mental or emotional harm, or unable to protect themselves from such risks.

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Abu Dhabi: Updates Internal Audit Rules for Public Entities

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) has introduced revised internal audit regulations for entities under its supervision.

Key changes to the regulatory framework include: Implementation of continuous audits for financial and operational activities, Expanded role for internal audit units in selecting statutory auditors, New performance indicators for internal audit departments, Requirements for increased use of data analytics in audit procedures and New regulations governing the appointment of external audit firms.

The updated rules strengthen internal audit units’ involvement in monitoring audit outcomes and require the integration of digital tools in audit processes to enhance accuracy and effectiveness.

The revisions also establish new standards for appointing audit firms providing internal audit services to ADAA-supervised entities, with a specific focus on maintaining transparency and quality in audit results.

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UAE: Government Updates Free Zone Tax Rules and Price Reporting Guidelines

12/09/202512/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Finance Ministry has issued two new ministerial decisions that revise regulations for corporate tax activities in free zones and establish official price reporting mechanisms.

The first decision, Ministerial Decision No. 229/2025, replaces previous legislation and broadens the definition of qualifying commodity trading. The updated rules now encompass industrial chemicals, associated by-products, and environmental commodities, whilst also clarifying treasury and financing services regulations for related parties.

Key changes include the removal of the phrase “in raw form” from commodity trading requirements, allowing for expanded trading of metals, minerals, industrial chemicals, energy and agricultural commodities. These items must maintain a quoted price from recognised exchanges or approved price reporting agencies.

Another decision, Ministerial Decision No. 230/2025, provides an official list of recognised price reporting agencies, offering greater clarity for tax compliance.

The legislation also introduces new provisions for self-investment activities and clarifies rules regarding the distribution of goods from designated zones, particularly concerning transactions with public benefit entities.

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Sharjah: Council Announces New Community Services

12/09/202512/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 9 September 2025: The Sharjah Executive Council has approved key administrative changes and reviewed progress on community initiatives.

The council evaluated the recently launched bereavement support programme, which provides mourning families with access to condolence tents or neighbourhood majlis facilities, along with hospitality services and directional signage.

Education officials presented data from the private education sector, which currently serves more than 201,000 students with a workforce of 12,000 teachers. Recent achievements include an 80% increase in schools rated “Very Good” and expanded recruitment of Emirati teachers in private institutions.

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Saudi Arabia: Updates Contractor Classification Rules with New Project Division Criteria

11/09/202511/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Saudi Gazette, 6 September 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has introduced significant amendments to its Contractors Classification Law (Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 49/1443), establishing new guidelines for project division and classification procedures.

Under the revised regulations, contractors can now divide projects worth SR600 million or more, provided each divided portion maintains a minimum value of SR75 million. The ministry has also implemented strict timeframes for administrative processes, requiring classification decisions within 60 working days and certificate extensions within 10 working days.

The amendments outline six specific circumstances where contractor experience will not be recognised, including cases where contract signing predates commercial registration or when projects fall outside classification scope. Additional exclusions apply to withdrawn projects, unverified contractor involvement, unauthorised subcontracting, and incomplete documentation.

Classification certificates will now be issued electronically, with validity verification available through the ministry’s website. Contractors receive a 90-day window to request grade adjustments or activity modifications after certificate issuance, and certificates can be extended once for 90 days.

The regulations require contractors to update their commercial register information within 30 days of any legal status changes. Appeals against classification decisions must be filed with the competent committee within 60 days, with further appeals possible through the Administrative Court.

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UAE (Ras Al Khaimah): Property Purchases Now Available via Cryptocurrency

11/09/202511/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 1 September 2025: A major UAE property developer has introduced cryptocurrency payment options for international buyers purchasing real estate in Ras Al Khaimah.

Key features of the initiative include:

Acceptance of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, USDT, and ETH
Automatic conversion to UAE dirhams
Direct settlement into developer accounts
Compliance with UAE financial regulations

The payment process will be managed entirely through Hubpay and its VARA-licensed partners, with the developer not handling digital assets directly. All transactions will be processed through regulated channels to ensure compliance.

The move comes amid significant development in Ras Al Khaimah, including:

New Wynn casino resort
Al Marjan Island expansion
Multiple Abu Dhabi developer investments
Establishment of digital asset free zone

The payment system provides instant conversion of cryptocurrency to UAE dirhams, offering international investors an additional payment channel for property purchases in the emirate’s growing real estate market.

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Qatar: Customs Authority Details Personal Duty Exemption Rules

11/09/202511/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Peninsula, 2 September 2025: Qatar’s General Authority of Customs (GAC) has outlined specific conditions for customs duty exemptions on personal items for travellers and returning citizens.

The rules permit exemptions for reasonable quantities of non-commercial items carried by passengers for personal use.

For Qatari citizens returning permanently from abroad, the authority has established specific criteria for the duty-free importation of household goods. These individuals must provide evidence of residing overseas for at least three years, and their belongings must arrive in Qatar within six months of their final return.

The exemptions apply to citizens who have been abroad for work assignments, education, or medical treatment. However, the items must be used personal effects rather than new or commercial goods.

The regulations explicitly exclude aircraft and ship crew members, as well as professional traders importing business-related goods, from claiming these exemptions.

The authority confirmed that the duty-free allowances also extend to persons with special needs, personal postal parcels, and diplomatic missions, though specific limits were not disclosed.

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