Newsletter Archives - Page 185 of 244 - LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: First Renewable Energy Certificate Issued

25/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Following directives from Bahrain’s Government Executive Committee, the President of the Sustainable Energy Authority has announced the first Renewable Energy Certificate has been issued. The aim is to enhance the use of renewable energy in the Kingdom and it has been issued as part of the phased implementation of the renewable energy certification programme. The programme will use Blockchain solutions to ensure transparency and enable the tracking and verification of every certificate issued to each system registered in the programme to prevent electronic breaches. It will allow producers to directly record the productivity of the renewable energy systems they own on the platform so the Authority can verify the amount of energy produced and approve it through a Renewable Energy Certificate. The Certificate will be issued electronically for every 1 megawatt hour produced and approved by the Authority. Producers of renewable energy will also be able to offer renewable energy certificates for sale to those looking to invest in renewable energy and benefit from certificates to overcome the challenges preventing them from producing renewable energy themselves. It will enable investors and financing institutions to evaluate investment opportunities, finance sustainable energy projects and verify energy output produced through reliable and approved programmes and tools.

Abu Dhabi Global Market Issues Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Exemptions) Order 2020

25/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Abu Dhabi Global Market Board have issued the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Exemptions) Order 2020. The Order grants an exemption from commercial licensing for certain classes of entities which are licensed in the UAE, outside the Global Market. The exemption applies in particular to temporary service providers in transportation like scooter rentals, delivery services and pick up or drop off services.

Qatar: Commercial Stores Decision Amended

24/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to amend Qatar Decision No. 70/2006 on commercial shops in residential areas. It was proposed by the country’s Trade and Industry Minister. The Council also considered a report from the committee for regulating the ownership of properties by non-Qatari nationals. The committee is responsible for suggesting areas where non-Qatari nationals can own property and the rules and conditions for their ownership.

Saudi Arabia: Company Law Amendments Being Considered

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Director for Systems and Companies Policies in Saudi Arabia’s Trade Ministry has announced the new companies law will allow new types of companies to be established. This will include simple joint stock companies who will have the characteristics of a joint stock company but will have flexibility in capital formation and issuing new types of shares. There will be also other types of companies. This will include two parties where one is a joint partner who will be personally responsible for their money and another who is a shareholder.

Qatar: New Qatarisation Platform to be Launched

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Development Affairs at Qatar’s Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry has announced a new Qatarisation platform is going to be launched. It will allow Qataris looking for jobs to identify available jobs. It will also allow private companies to place vacant and required jobs. It is aimed at implementing a draft decision to raise the proportion of Qataris to 60% in State-owned companies or which the State contributes to as well as other entities subject to the Retirement and Pension Law.

Kuwait: Government to Pay Reduced Private Sector Salaries

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Health and Social Affairs Committee of Kuwait’s Parliament has approved the draft labour law to address the effects of Coronavirus. It came into force on 12 March 2020. The Committee’s Chairman said those affected by the anti-Coronavirus measures including those who had to completely or partially stop their business can agree with employees to reduce their salaries throughout the suspension period up to 50% of the salary. This will not affect the minimum limit for salaries. He also explained the Government will be responsible for paying the difference in the salary between what the employer is able to pay and the actual salary of the Kuwaiti employee. The aim is to ensure nationals are paid their full salaries. He said for example if a Kuwaiti employee’s salary is 1000 Dinars and their salary was reduced to 500 Dinars, the State will pay the other 500 Dinars so they get a full salary. The law allows employers to give their employees special leave with a reduced salary provided the minimum limit of the salary is at least 30% during the suspension period. Employers are expected to notify the Labour Ministry regarding the agreements concluded with the employees with the terms set by the Ministerial Decision.

Bahrain: Reorganisation and Bankruptcy Law Amendments Issued

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has issued Bahrain Decree-Law No. 25/2020 amending Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 on reorganisation and bankruptcy. Under the amendments, Article 19 of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 has been amended to read ‘The debtor and the creditor and every other party that has interest in the case has the right to participate in the bankruptcy procedures and in obtaining, from the court of the bankruptcy trustee, the information related to the debtor’s business and his financial affairs and the taken procedures and the measures and that is all pursuant to the provisions of the law’. Article 30(b) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018, Article 33(a) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 and Article 33(b) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 have also been amended. The Prime Minister and relevant Ministers will be responsible for enforcing the Decree-Law which will come into force on the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

UAE: Identity and Citizenship Decisions Approved

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Cabinet has approved various identity and citizenship amendments. The decisions include suspending the decisions related to the residency of expatriates, visas, entry permits and identity cards valid from 11 July 2020.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has been authorised to start collecting the fees owed for services it provides from 12 July 2020. The Cabinet also approved a one-month grace period for UAE nationals and GCC nationals and residents who have spent less than six months abroad to renew their documents.

UAE: Energy and Infrastructure Ministries Merged

12/07/202010/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Prime Minister has announced a Government restructuring, which will see the Energy and Infrastructure Ministries merged. The merged Ministry will be led by the country’s current Energy Minister. They have been given a year to achieve new targets. The head of Abu Dhabi’s national oil company ADNOC, Sultan al-Jaber, has been appointed Industry and Advanced Technology Minister and Abdullah al-Marri has been appointed Economy Minister.

A Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Teleworking Applications position has been created and Omar Al-Ulama has been appointed to the position.

A new UAE Government Media Office will also be established while the National Media Council and the Federal Youth Authority will be merged into the Culture Ministry. The General Pension and Social Security Authority will be merged with the Community Development Ministry, the National Qualifications Authority will be merged with the Education Ministry and the Insurance Authority will be merged with the Securities and Commodities Authority.

In addition, half of Government service centres will be abolished and converted into digital platforms within two years. Finally, half of federal agencies will be merged with each other or in ministries. The moves follow an announcement of restructuring last month.

Qatar: Percentage of Qataris in Private Sector to be Increased

11/07/202010/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Ministerial Decision to increase the minimum percentage of Qataris in the private sector to 60%. It will apply to Qataris working in State-owned companies or its subsidiaries or other entities who are subject to the Retirement and Pension Law. It will also increase the percentage of Qataris in human resources departments to 80% in those entities. Children of Qatari women will be treated as Qataris. It was proposed by the Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Minister. It is aimed at implementing Qatar Law No. 14/2004 (the Labour Law).