Newsletter Archives - Page 13 of 243 - LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: New Arabic Data Governance Platform

31/07/202531/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab News, 23 July 2025: A newly launched platform will allow Saudi companies to align their data regulations with national AI policies.

Governata will enable companies to coordinate with the Kingdom’s National Data Management Office, or NDMO, and Saudi Data and AI Authority, or SDAIA, guidelines. All the data remains hosted domestically.

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Oman: New Mandatory Annual Pay Rises for Private Sector Workers

31/07/202531/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 27 July 2025: The Omani Ministry of Labour has implemented new regulations requiring private sector employers to provide annual salary increases based on employee performance ratings.

Under Sultani Ministerial Decision No. 317/2025, Omani workers who have completed six months of employment will be eligible for yearly increments each January, with increases determined by their performance appraisal scores.

The new payment structure establishes clear percentage increases tied to performance ratings: Excellent performance: 5% basic wage increase, Very Good performance: 4% increase, Good performance: 3% increase, Acceptable performance: 2% increase, Weak performance: No increase.

Employers failing to comply with the new regulations face penalties of RO 50 per violation, with fines multiplied by the number of affected employees.

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Kuwait: New Building Regulations Apply Only to Free Zone Service Sector

31/07/202531/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 26 July 2025: Kuwait Municipality has confirmed that recent amendments to building specifications apply exclusively to the free zone’s service sector (16), and not to the broader Shuwaikh and Al-Rai areas.

Municipality Director clarified that the new regulations maintain the existing 150 percent building area allowance for hotels within service plots, while introducing the option for multiple basement levels.

The updated specifications establish specific requirements for sector (16):

Maximum building coverage of 130 percent across three floors
Minimum shop and showroom sizes of 100 square metres
Office spaces no smaller than 150 square metres on ground and mezzanine floors
Increased restaurant allocation from 5 to 10 percent
Mandatory on-site parking provision

They also noted that the former free zone, now under the Public Authority for Industry’s jurisdiction, permits various commercial activities, including:

Administrative offices
Retail shops
Banking services
Health clubs
Hotels
Warehousing facilities

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Bahrain: Expands Digital Building Permit System with New Features

31/07/202531/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 26 July 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has introduced new updates to its national building permit platform “Benayat”, expanding digital services for property development applications.

The enhancement details were unveiled at a recent workshop coordinated by the Information & eGovernment Authority and the Bahrain Real Estate Development Association, where officials demonstrated the system’s technical procedures to real estate developers and investors.

The platform now processes various permit types, including:

Small-scale property additions
Renovations
Fencing installations
Property merging and division
Land use modifications

The system operates on a comprehensive geographic information database comprising over 300 spatial data layers and serves more than 30 public and private organisations. Users can track application status and navigate an interactive map of Bahrain through the platform.

During the workshop, the Information & eGovernment Authority provided detailed guidance on the permit application process through “Benayat”, which functions as a unified system for all building licence categories in the kingdom.

They also outlined how the platform enables engineering offices and property owners to submit applications, process payments, and access regulatory information through a centralised online service.

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UAE: Agreement with US on Patent Procedures

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 20 July 2025: The UAE and the US signed a statement that aims to accelerate patent-granting procedures in the UAE

The agreement was signed at the 66th Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The Joint Statement of Intent aims to launch a bilateral cooperation programme which provides collaborative mechanisms to recognise positive examination results issued by the USPTO for corresponding Emirati patent applications.

This will be implemented in accordance with applicable national laws.

The focus is on industrial property rights and the development of patent registration procedures that provide flexible and efficient services which support an innovation-driven and entrepreneurial environment.

This partnership with the US side is part of a new push to accelerate patent issuance by strengthening international cooperation and adopting advanced operational models.

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Qatar: E-Payment Service for Judicial Fees

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 22 July 2025: The Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) has launched the first package of electronic payment services in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB).

Payments will be able to be made through an integrated electronic payment gateway aimed at facilitating judicial procedures and enabling parties to pay deposits and judicial fees in a safe, fast, and easy digital way. The Council aims to provide payment channels that support a number of different card types and modern payment features for a number of services, such as Apple Pay.

This will enable users to pay court fees, execution requests, and deposits through the Courts Portal and the Courts app, as well as through the mobile app, ATMs, and QNB’s e-portal, which will be launched in the phase after the initial launch via the Courts Portal.

The electronic payment services will allow individuals to pay for themselves or for another party using Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX cards, as well as local NAPS cards, and Himyan cards.

The new system also offers smart payment options, such as partial payments in specific cases, and payment via SMS links. It also sends notifications to users on completion of financial transactions and provides financial reports to the relevant management.

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Oman: Professional Licenses Required for Logistics Work

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Oman Daily Observer, 22 July 2025: As part of efforts to regulate the labour market and ensure that professions are practiced according to approved professional standards, the Ministry of Labour has announced that there will be a mandatory requirement to obtain a Professional Practice License for all designated professions in the logistics sector, from 1 September 2025.

These will include truck driver, tractor-trailer driver, water tank driver, waste transport driver, food delivery person and food delivery supervisor.

The requirement will apply to both Omani and expatriate drivers and across various sectors.

The professional practice licenses will be available from the sectoral skills unit for the logistics sector. Applications should be submitted via the skills unit’s website. No work permit will be issued or renewed for these occupations after the deadline without this certification.

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Kuwait: MoUs on Money Laundering Signed

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 20 July 2025: The Kuwait Interior Ministry Department for combatting money laundering and terrorist financing and the customs office have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on the fight against financial crimes.

The two departments will increase mutual operation and sharing of information in line with international standards set by the UN Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The MOU also aims to intensify regulatory procedures to support the national system for reducing financial crime. In addition, the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) have also signed a separate MOU on cooperation and information exchange on money laundering. This will impact the scope of information the FIU and CMA can provide to each other.

Amendments to Kuwait Law No. 106/2013 (the money laundering law) in June 2025 now allow the Kuwaiti Cabinet to issue decisions to implement resolutions passed by the UN Security Council on financing terrorism and freezing assets, and to impose hefty fines on violators. In a report in June 2025, FATF had stated gaps in the legal system in Kuwait did make it difficult to free assets in these situations.

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Dubai: New Law on Housing Contract Disputes

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 21 July 2025: A new law has been issued which focuses on resolving disputes involving housing building contracts with nationals in Dubai.

The new law will come into force on 1 January 2026 and will introduce a dedicated legal framework to swiftly and efficiently handle disagreements, without disrupting the progress of housing development projects. There will be a new alternative dispute resolution system for construction projects, which will protect all parties’ rights. Amicable and consensual solutions will be promoted. The aim will be to ensure construction work continues even where there are disagreements.

The Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes will set up a new specialist section to cover this area. First there will be mediation, which will be concluded in 20 days, although it will be possible to extend this for up to 20 more days if both parties agree.

If mediation fails, the case can then be referred to a special committee made up of one judge and two industry experts. This committee must issue a decision within 30 days – although a 30-day extension is possible. Parties will have the right to appeal to the court of first instance within 30 days of that decision.

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Bahrain: New First Aid Requirements for All Workplaces

25/07/202525/07/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 20 July 2025: All workplaces in Bahrain must now have first-aid trained staff present under new Health Ministry Rules.

The rules have been issued in Bahrain Ministerial Decision No. 16/2025. They cover employers across the private sector. Each individual site must be ready to deal with emergencies, and help must be called if someone falls ill or is injured at work.

One trained first aid person is needed for every 20 workers, and their name must be kept in a log on-site. They must hold a recognised certificate showing they have completed at least one course in first aid. In addition, another employee must be named to check supplies and liaise with inspectors. Workplaces must also have first aid boxes with all the items listed in the Ministerial Order. These must be easy to find and checked regularly to ensure all the items are usable. One box is needed for up to every 100 workers. Employers must also ensure they have a plan for emergencies, which should include ambulance contacts, maps showing the nearest clinic and exit layouts. These rules replace those issued in 1976. Those who breach these rules may be prosecuted under Article 192 of Bahrain Law No. 36/2012 or Article 129 of Bahrain Law No. 34/2018.

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