Newsletter Archives - Page 165 of 244 - LexisNexis Middle East

UAE: National Integrated Energy Model Launched

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Energy and Infrastructure Ministry has announced it has launched the National Integrated Energy Model. They launched it together with the Khalifa University and the International Renewable Energy Agency. It will support the formulation of the future energy for the UAE and the design of the next 50 years in the energy sector. It will also provide a roadmap for a new phase of energy sector sustainability and provide a common framework which brings together stakeholders in the energy sector. In addition, it will define the contours of the future as part of the UAE’s efforts to maximise the benefits of this sector by developing strategies and foundations for work in it during the next phase in line with the National Energy Strategy 2050. This Strategy aims to obtain safe and sustainable energy for everyone at competitive prices, increase the efficiency of individual and institutional consumption by 40% by 2050 and increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix produced in the country to 50%. An understanding to develop the energy modelling capabilities with Khalifa University and the International Renewable Energy Agency was also reached. In addition, a partnership bringing the three entities together was established. This will develop the UAE energy model to support the UAE’s approach in this sector. It will also benefit from the experience of the Agency and the research capabilities of Khalifa University to establish a programme to support the review of the energy strategy in the UAE and engage strategic partners to continue developing the energy policy in the country.

Saudi Arabia: Merged Insurance Companies Exempt From Qualification Financial Requirement

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Cooperative Health Insurance Council has announced it is exempting merged small and medium insurance companies from the financial requirement for qualification. They will be exempt for up to three years in line with new terms and conditions. The aim of the policy is to improve the quality of health services by creating economic entities able to offer high quality services as part of the 2022-2024 health strategy to empower the health insurance sector. The official spokesperson for the Council said they have prepared the initiative and a work plan to support the merging of insurance companies. They have also signed an agreement with the Competition General Authority to encourage companies to merge.

Oman: New Industrial City Proposed

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates or Madayn has announced it is proposing building a new Industrial City. It will be built at Al Mudhaibi in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. It will be one of an increasing network of manufacturing clusters which will help boost jobs generation and GDP growth in the Sultanate. They have invited qualified engineering consultancy firms to bid for its contract to design the infrastructure facilities for the 14 million square metre industrial city. It will be the first industrial park of its kind in the governorate and will provide a manufacturing and processing base for industries focused on commercialising the rich mineral potential of the wider region, among other things. The successful bidder will have to master-plan the development of the new industrial city in several stages and design the basic infrastructure and supervise the overall initial development as well. Construction work on a new industrial city at Ibri in Al Dhahirah Governorate, a first in that part of the country is also about to begin. It will be located on the road leading to the Oman-Saudi Arabia border and will include a variety of industrial, commercial and service activities like light and medium industries, commercial area, administrative offices, industrial workshops and warehouses. They are being built and introduced as part of Oman’s 2040 Vision.

Kuwait: Public Sector Employees Can Transfer to Private Sector

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower has issued an administrative decision allowing employees working in the public sector to transfer to the private sector. It includes transfers in areas which were previously banned. These are industry, agriculture, herding, fishing, cooperative societies and unions.

Bahrain: Visa Fees to be Paid When Visas Issued

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs has announced that from 7 March 2021, the entry visa approval fee will have to be paid when the approval of the application is made instead of collecting it from the traveller at the port on arrival. The fee is five Dinars. The aim is to save time and facilitate the procedures for entering the country. It will not apply to visa issued before 7 March 2021.

Qatar: Artificial Intelligence Committee to be Established

05/03/202105/03/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Cabinet Decision to establish an Artificial Intelligence Committee. Under the Decision, the Committee will report to the Transport and Telecommunication Ministry. It will have three members from the Ministry and a representative from the Qatar Computing Sciences College, a representative from the Interior Ministry, Education and Higher Education Ministry, the Commerce and Industry Ministry, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar National Research Fund and Qatar Development Bank. It will be responsible for setting workflows to follow up on and implement Qatar’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy and supervise the programmes and initiatives related to this area as well as give recommendations on the planning and programmes for training human resources in this area. In addition, it will support start-ups in this area as well as scientific research.

UAE: Executive Anti-money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Office Established

26/02/202126/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Cabinet has approved the establishment of an Executive Anti-money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Office. The Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) will oversee the implementation of the UAE’s National AML/CFT Strategy and National Action Plan which are aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-financial crime system. Hamid Al Zaabi has been appointed as the Director-General of the Executive Office. It will report to the Higher Committee overseeing the UAE’s National AML/CFT Strategy which is chaired by the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister.

Saudi Arabia: Saudisation Will Not be Forced on Companies Who Relocate Their Headquarters

26/02/202126/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister has announced Saudisation will not be forced on companies who relocate their headquarters to the Kingdom. They added Saudisation will also not apply to companies who choose to set up in the Kingdom. Their announcement follows last week’s news that certain rules for companies seeking to take advantage of the $3 trillion investment opportunities identified for international investors under the Vision 2030 strategy will be set.

Qatar: New Offering & Listing of Securities on the Financial Markets Rulebook

26/02/202126/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Financial Markets Authority has announced it has issued a new Offering & Listing of Securities on the Financial Markets Rulebook. It will come into force on 1 April 2021. It has been issued as part of the Authority’s regulatory and supervisory role over the country’s capital market. It is aimed at expanding the offering and listing procedures and requirements to more companies. It is also aimed at increasing the transparency and volumes of disclosures, particularly in the main market. Finally, it is aimed at increasing the number of listed companies, share turnover and liquidity and attract more investments into Qatar’s capital market.

Oman: New Electricity Tariff Will be Applied Gradually

26/02/202126/02/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Executive Director of the Authority for Public Services Regulation has announced the new electricity tariff will be applied gradually. They made the announcement in response to rumours it had been rescinded. The January bill includes the approved tariff in line with the regulations published in December. The approved tariff for the first group is 15 baisas, which will be applied gradually over the year starting with 11 baisas in the first month for electricity consumption up to 2,000 kilowatts.The mechanism for the gradual application of the new tariff is the purview of the National Subsidy System Committee.