Newsletter Archives - Page 12 of 247 - LexisNexis Middle East

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 Additional exclusions apply to withdrawn projects, unverified contractor involvement, unauthorised subcontracting, and incomplete documentation.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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Oman: Introduces New Remote Working Regulations for Private Sector

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 8 September 2025: The Ministry of Labour in Oman has unveiled comprehensive regulations governing remote work arrangements in the private sector, establishing the country’s first formal framework for flexible working practices.

Under the new ministerial decision, employers must now follow specific guidelines when implementing remote work schemes. The regulations apply to both partial and full remote working arrangements, though notably prohibit remote contracts with workers based outside Oman.

The decision mandates that employers must:

Maintain an official register of remote workers
Supply necessary IT equipment and software
Implement electronic monitoring systems for performance tracking
Cover installation and maintenance costs of work-related technology.

To protect workers’ rights, the legislation explicitly forbids surveillance systems that infringe on employee privacy or misuse personal data. Workers are granted the right to disconnect from company systems if such violations occur.

The regulations specify that full remote working contracts must be written agreements detailing employment terms, including working hours, remuneration, and technological requirements. For partial remote working arrangements, employees may submit requests which employers can approve or decline based on operational needs.

Employers retain the right to recall partially remote workers to on-site work under specific circumstances, including information security breaches or failure to maintain agreed working hours.

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Kuwait: Cabinet Approves New Law on Child Registration

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 9 September 2025: The Kuwaiti government has approved significant legislative changes affecting children’s rights.

The Cabinet endorsed amendments to the Children’s Rights Law, introducing mandatory requirements for registering newborns under their father’s nationality portfolio. The revised legislation includes penalties for non-compliance.

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Dubai: Introduces New Tourist Transport Regulations

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Emarat Al Youm, 9 September 2025: Dubai’s transport authorities have unveiled new executive regulations governing tourist transportation services across the emirate, implemented through Dubai Administrative Decision No. 97/2025.

The comprehensive regulations establish new licensing requirements for tourist transport operators and vehicles. Under the new framework, authorities will oversee the issuance and renewal of permits for tourist transport establishments, vehicle registration, and professional licences for tourist transport drivers.

Key measures include:

Mandatory licensing for all tourist transport facilities
New vehicle registration requirements for tourist transport vehicles
Professional certification requirements for drivers
Streamlined application processes through authorised service centres.

The regulations create a standardised system for managing tourist transportation services across Dubai. Applications for permits and licences must be submitted through official service centres and channels designated by the transport authority.

The new regulatory framework assigns responsibility for oversight and compliance monitoring to the transport authority, which will manage all aspects of licensing and registration for the tourist transport sector.

For the full story, click here.

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Bahrain: Strengthens Financial Penalties in Central Bank Law Amendment

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 8 September 2025: Bahrain has issued significant changes to its banking legislation through a new royal decree that substantially increases penalties for violations of financial regulations.

The amendment, issued as Bahrain Decree-Law No. 37/2025, specifically revises Article 161 of Bahrain Law No. 1/2006 the Central Bank and Financial Institutions Law.

Under the modified legislation, offenders who breach Articles 40 and 41, or associated regulations under Article 42, now face imprisonment and/or fines of up to one million Bahraini dinars.

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Ajman: New Heavy Fines for Illegal Parking of Fuel Transport Vehicles

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Today, 7 September 2025: Ajman’s government has issued new regulations prohibiting petroleum transport vehicles from parking outside designated areas, with violations carrying fines of up to AED20,000.

The Higher Energy Committee will oversee enforcement through judicial officers, implementing a graduated penalty system for offenders. First-time violators face AED5,000 fines, increasing to AED10,000 for second offences. Third violations will incur an AED20,000 penalty and may result in vehicle impoundment and public auction.

The committee holds the authority to impose additional sanctions on licensed facilities that breach regulations, including suspension or cancellation of petroleum trading permits. Officials may order immediate removal of vehicles from densely populated areas or locations presenting public safety risks, with costs charged to vehicle owners.

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Abu Dhabi: Customs Introduces Priority Clearance for Trusted Food Products

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 9 September 2025: Abu Dhabi has launched a new ‘Golden List’ system that will accelerate border entry procedures for food products with proven safety compliance records.

This initiative establishes expedited clearance for food items meeting specific criteria, including successful safety compliance on five consecutive shipments and proper health certification from origin countries.

Products qualifying for the list will receive priority pre-release clearance and bypass standard visual inspections and sampling requirements. Importers must submit applications through the Atlab platform 24 hours before shipment arrival.

The fast-track status will be immediately revoked if products fail to maintain compliance standards or receive safety notifications. Such items will then return to standard inspection protocols.

To qualify for the programme, importers must provide: Documentation of five consecutive compliant shipments, Valid health certificates from origin countries, Advance import applications and Complete pre-audit documentation.

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UAE: Fake Consumer Protection Websites

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 26 August 2025: The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection has warned of fake platforms charging consumers to resolve complaints.

The Society for Consumer Protection has issued a warning about suspicious and fraudulent websites, platforms, and social media pages which are misusing government logos and falsely claim to specialise in protecting consumers and safeguarding their rights. These fraudulent sites lure consumers into submitting complaints, then request fees for resolving them, or demand bank transfers and access to personal accounts.

The society has emphasised that it never charges any fees or accepts any payments for resolving consumer complaints. It has urged consumers if any entity that requests payment or asks for bank transfers to immediately refuse this, block the source, and report the matter to the relevant authorities.

The sites falsely claim to be official complaint-handling portals that help consumers recover their rights by reporting financial, commercial, or service-related violations.

According to the Society, these fake platforms have created counterfeit complaint forms resembling official ones, which require personal details such as name, phone number, and email address.

The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection is a recognised non-profit entity; its complaint services are completely free, and it never requests any payment or personal financial details from consumers.

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