News developments Archives - Page 85 of 223

Kuwait: Cost of Living Allowance Could be Increased

05/10/202305/10/2023
by Tanya Jain

Alqabas, 1 October 2023: A Kuwaiti government source has announced the government is studying a cost of living allowance increase. They are considering increasing it from 120 to 250 Dinars.

The source added the government will work to stabilise prices first and then approve any financial increases. They went on to say the government implements a joint mechanism for up to 90 days to control any high prices affecting consumer goods and products in cooperative associations, retail stores and parallel markets.

Read the full story here.

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Dubai: Land Department Launches Munaqasat Service

05/10/202305/10/2023
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 2 October 2023: Dubai’s Land Department has announced it has launched a new Munaqasat service to improve transparency in the sector and ensure top-quality services at competitive prices.

It will be available via the Real Estate Regulatory Agency and will regulate tendering processes for all matters related to services and maintenance for jointly owned properties.

It will facilitate and simplify the tender process and establish a direct link between jointly owned property companies and service providers.

Jointly owned properties will have to submit all tenders through the service following the submission of their 2024 budgets which must be submitted by October 2023.

A specialist technical team will then submit tasks, assess firms, and provide recommendations. A finance team will then review the technical aspects and set prices for each necessary service.

The average of the technical and financial scores determines the final tender selection.

Tenders will then be initiated, allowing service providers to participate via the new service. They can register as suppliers, which will give them access to all relevant tenders based on their registered activities.

Additional features will be added by 2024 that will allow property owners to evaluate the performance of service providers. Owners’ committees will also have access to view presented tenders, which will improve transparency further and engage the real estate sector.

It has been launched in line with Dubai’s Digital Strategy.

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Abu Dhabi: Government Empowerment Department Established

05/10/202305/10/2023
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 28 September 2023: Abu Dhabi’s Ruler has issued a law to establish the Government Empowerment Department-Abu Dhabi.

The new Department will be responsible for providing services to government entities in the Emirate.

It will have a focus on improving human capital and digital capacity.

It will provide digital government services and boost collaboration to improve efficiency and productivity in government bodies.

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UAE: Administrative Penalties for Commercial Agency Law Violations Decision Issued

21/09/202321/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 11 September 2023: The UAE’s Economy Ministry has issued a Decision specifying the administrative penalties which will be imposed for Commercial Agency Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 3/2022) violations.

Among other penalties under Cabinet Decision No. 89/2023, an international business who sells its goods and services to entities or individuals other than the contracted commercial agent will receive a warning first and may then be fined between 100,000 and AED 400,000. Their goods may also be seized by UAE Customs.

In addition, other offences may see a warning given first and then fines of between 100,000 and 200,000 AED imposed. Goods may also be seized by UAE Customs.

Some repeat offences could see offenders fined up to 400,000 AED.

In addition, the new legislation will apply automatically to existing commercial agency contracts drafted before the new Commercial Agency Law came into force in June. Only contracts not being renewed or being terminated early will be exempt..

The Cabinet Decision has been published in the Official Gazette.

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Saudi Arabia: Final Version of Artificial Intelligence Principles Approved

21/09/202321/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Arabia’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has announced it has approved the final version of the Artificial Intelligence Principles. They made the announcement via social media.

The Authority has analysed global practices and standards to develop these Principles. They are designed to help entities adopt standards and ethics when building and developing Artificial Intelligence-based solutions to ensure their responsible use and protect the privacy of data subjects and their rights with respect to the collection and processing of their data.

It will apply to all Artificial Intelligence stakeholders designing, developing, deploying, implementing, using, or being affected by Artificial Intelligence systems in the Kingdom. This will include public entities, private entities, non-profit entities, researchers, public services, institutions, civil society organisations, individuals, employees and consumers.

The Principles cover Fairness, Privacy and Security, Humanity, Social and Environmental Benefits, Reliability and Safety and Transparency and Explainability and Accountability and Responsibility.

The final version has introduced a new Artificial Risks section. This outlines the categories of risks associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence. There are four categories. These are little or no risk where no restrictions will be placed on Artificial Intelligence provided those systems are ethically compliant. There is also a limited risk category where Artificial Intelligence systems will be subject to the Principles. In addition, there is a high-risk category. Artificial Intelligence systems must undergo pre- and post-conformity assessments, consider the relevant statutory requirements and comply with Artificial Intelligence ethics in this category. Finally, there is an unacceptable risk category. These Artificial Intelligence systems cause harm to people’s safety, livelihood and rights are not allowed.

The new Principles also state Principle 5 on Reliability and Safety, in deployment and monitoring will be adopted. This means continuous monitoring is required to assess the alignment of an Artificial Intelligence model’s operations with its design and frameworks while ensuring the system’s safety to prevent malicious exploitation of data and results that could harm entities or individuals. Ongoing implementation and development efforts are necessary to maintain the system’s reliability over time.

The Authority is responsible for reviewing and updating the Artificial Intelligence ethics principles and monitor compliance with them. It will also develop the necessary national guides, standards and directives to ensure the effective management of Artificial Intelligence and ensure the goals are met.

The latest version includes Optional Registration as well. The aim is to encourage relevant entities to adopt Artificial Intelligence ethics when developing these systems.

Motivational Badges have also been added. This means the Authority may grant entities implementing the principles motivational badges that reflect the level of compliance and progress on Artificial Intelligence ethics implementation.

Finally, as part of the Artificial Intelligence Ethics tools, particularly privacy and security standards, the ISO 23894 risk standard has been explicitly defined along with the standards issued by the Saudi Standards and Metrology Organisation. ISO 23894 provides guidance on how organisations that develop, produce, deploy or use products, systems, and services deploying Artificial Intelligence can handle Artificial Intelligence risks. In addition, the final version has introduced additional data protection methods like data loss prevention, data governance and data minimisation.

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Qatar: Artificial Intelligence to be Used in Justice and Legal Systems

21/09/202321/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Qatar Tribune, 14 September 2023: Qatar’s Justice Minister has announced Artificial Intelligence is going to be used in the country’s justice and legal systems. The Minister was addressing the Law and Artificial Intelligence Conference at Lusail University earlier this week.

The Minister is seeking recommendations to help draft an Artificial Intelligence Law.

Also reported in Raya on 13 September 2023. For the full story, click here.

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Oman: Omap Platform Launched

20/09/202320/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Oman Daily Observer, 18 September 2023: Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones has announced it has launched an Omap platform. It aims to provide a digital portal to allow comprehensive geographical data, masterplans for special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities overseen by the Authority to be accessed.

It will provide detailed information and services via interactive digital maps and tools. It has been launched as the first step in the Authority’s online land allocation service.

The platform will simplify and expedite procedures, save time and effort, ensure equitable opportunities for all investors and prevent plans overlapping. It provides access to precise spatial information through detailed interactive maps for all zones, even pinpointing land available for investment and associated economic activities.

Investors can examine the land’s elevation, regardless of whether or not they are in Oman. They can also understand the land’s surface area and decide whether the power line is near enough or the required water capacity is available. They can also decide whether that particular plot is suitable for their specific industry, hotel, or commercial activity. It will enable them to understand whether roads are planned for the future or if there is a fibre optics or a telephone network as well.

In addition, investors will be able to remotely reserve the land, whether inside or outside Oman for 20 days and finalise the land acquisition process.

Investors can also interact and learn more about the specific plot available within all zones. Its features also include location searches for investment properties and comprehensive information on nearby landmarks and facilities like hospitals, restaurants, schools, stores and hotels. Users can also obtain land details by type, usufruct rates, location coordinates, size, and nearby utilities such as electricity, telecommunications, water, and transportation networks.

Users can also measure distances between different locations and their proximity to transportation networks relevant to shipping goods. Users will be able to get informed about drone-specific locations and restricted drone flying zones too.

A service for photographing projects at the request of the investor will be provided later on.

The platform has a toolkit that helps users, offers measurement tools as well as planning, drawing and annotation features, proximity service searches, cadastral drawing capabilities or Krooki, map printing and a site selection tool for digitally recording coordinates.

Biodiversity sites, reserves, tourist attractions, camping areas and more can also be disclosed. It provides insights into weather and climate conditions through connections to climate monitoring stations in the zones. It also offers information related to soil tests in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, which is a focal point for future and Artificial Intelligence technologies.

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Kuwait: New Controls for Granting Leave for Accompanying Sick Patients Announced

20/09/202320/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Alrai, 17 September 2023: The Managing Director of Human Resources at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has issued a Circular regarding the rules, controls and conditions for leave to accompany a patient in the oil sector.

The Circular states it is permissible to extend the leave of a non-relative to accompany a patient suffering from an incurable disease after the accumulated annual leave balance of the employee has been exhausted.

The extension request will have to be made after the first 90 days of leave for a patient’s non-relative companion has expired. A report from the relevant medical authority will have to be provided and presented to the institution’s CEO to consider and approve.

It will be implemented on its issued date.

Read the full story here.

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Dubai: New Training Programme for Prospective Employees to be Launched

20/09/202320/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates), 18 September 2023: Dubai’s Health Authority has announced it is going to launch a new training programme for prospective employees.

The Elite Programme will give prospective Emirati employees training across specialised and advanced programmes to develop their personal, scientific, and professional skills and capabilities.

It will give them the chance to gain experience and gradually take on additional roles, tasks, and responsibilities for one year.

Those who prove their competency during training will be appointed based on their progress.

The Programme has been launched to improve Emiratisation rates at the Authority and attract more specialist Emirati talent.

Trainees will receive monthly financial rewards as well as the opportunity to be trained and gain hands-on experience in tasks and responsibilities necessary for the industry.

The Programme will be launched soon and Emiratis interested in applying can apply via the Dubai Careers website.

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Bahrain: Central Bank Introduces New Investment Firm Category

20/09/202320/09/2023
by Tanya Jain

Bahrain’s Central Bank has amended Volume 4 of its Rulebook on Investment Business Regulations to introduce a new category of investment firms. The new category will be allowed to provide regulated investment and wealth management services to family offices that are supervised by the Bank.

They will be able to provide wealth management, investment management, custody services, trust services, fund management and insurance advice.

The regulations were developed to help meet the needs of these businesses, support the growth of the asset management industry in the Kingdom and ensure regulatory requirements relating to governance and internal controls are upheld.

Existing family offices will not be included in the new regulations unless they expand the scope of their activities by providing investment services to other parties which requires a Central Bank licence under the new regime to be obtained.

Also reported in Al Watan on 18 September 2023. For the full story, click here.

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