Newsletter Archives - Page 2 of 244 - LexisNexis Middle East

Kuwait: Mandates Electronic Tracking of Private Sector Working Hours

07/11/202507/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 2 November 2025: Kuwait has introduced new regulations requiring private sector employers to digitally record and display working hours, rest periods and holidays.

Under Kuwait Decision No. 15/2025, employers must enter comprehensive workplace scheduling information into a new electronic system managed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).

The mandatory digital records must include: daily working hours, rest periods, weekly rest days and official holidays.

Employers are required to maintain up-to-date records, with any schedule changes to be logged immediately in the system. The digital data will serve as the official reference for workplace inspections.

The resolution stipulates that employers must print and prominently display the approved schedules at work sites, making them accessible to both staff and inspectors. This new electronic system replaces all previous paper-based documentation methods.

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Abu Dhabi: Economic Licence Renewal Fees Waived for Long-Expired Permits

07/11/202507/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 31 October 2025: Abu Dhabi authorities have announced a fee exemption scheme for investors holding economic licences that expired more than three years ago, with the first phase targeting permits that lapsed before 2010.

The initiative allows affected licence holders to complete renewals throughout November 2025 without incurring late fees.

Under current regulations, licences left unrenewed are transferred to an expired registry and face potential revocation after three years of inactivity.

The scheme enables investors to regularise their expired permits during the designated grace period, avoiding standard penalties for late renewal.

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UAE: Tax Authority Launches AI Tools to Modernise Tax Services

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 22 October 2025: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has implemented new artificial intelligence systems to enhance its tax administration services across the United Arab Emirates, including two primary AI platforms: an internal system for staff and an upgraded public-facing service for taxpayers.

The authority has introduced FTAGPT, an AI-powered internal system designed to provide FTA staff with immediate responses to queries about VAT, Excise Tax, and Corporate Tax legislation. The tool primarily supports call centre staff and employees who interact directly with taxpayers.

Simultaneously, the FTA has enhanced TARA, its existing AI platform for taxpayers, accessible through the authority’s official website. The upgraded system now includes comprehensive information about Corporate Tax, introduced in 2023, and allows users to check application status and submit queries about tax legislation.

Director of the Taxpayer Services Department, confirmed that the system has been expanded to handle inquiries about Corporate Tax returns and reconsideration cases related to fines. The authority has also implemented predictive AI capabilities to identify common filing errors and send preventative guidance to taxpayers.

The UAE’s current tax framework encompasses three main taxes: a 5% Value Added Tax, Excise Tax on specific products ranging from 50% to 100%, and Corporate Tax with rates of 0% on profits up to AED 375,000 and 9% above this threshold.

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Saudi Arabia: Expands Stock Market Access for Foreign Investors

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Business Wire, 27 October 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has introduced significant changes to its investment account regulations, widening access to the Kingdom’s main stock market for Gulf-based foreign investors and former residents.

Under the new framework, individual foreign investors residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now directly invest in shares listed on the Saudi Main Market (TASI). Previously, these investors were restricted to debt instruments, the Parallel Market, investment funds, and derivatives trading.

The amendments also permit foreign investors who formerly resided in Saudi Arabia or other GCC countries to maintain their investment accounts and continue trading on the main market after leaving the region, provided they established their accounts during their residency period.

These regulatory changes mark a significant shift from previous rules, which limited main market access to foreign investors operating through swap agreements with licensed institutions or managed accounts.

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Ras Al Khaimah: Bans Hunting Equipment in New Wildlife Protection Measure

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Ras Al Khaimah’s Executive Council has implemented Resolution No. 18/2025, introducing comprehensive restrictions on hunting equipment throughout the emirate.

The new legislation prohibits the manufacture, import, trade, sale, possession and use of devices designed to attract birds, wild animals, and marine creatures. The Environment Protection & Development Authority will oversee the implementation and enforcement of these regulations.

The resolution establishes a framework for penalties against violations and aligns with existing federal environmental protection laws. It specifically targets unauthorised hunting methods that could affect local wildlife populations.

Under the new measures, the Authority will coordinate with relevant government bodies to monitor compliance and enforce the restrictions. The resolution introduces specific fines for violations, though the exact amounts have not been disclosed in the announcement.

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Qatar: Mandates Digital Price Registration for All Retail Businesses

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Mubasher, 26 October 2025: Qatar’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a new directive requiring all commercial, industrial, and general retail establishments to register their product and service prices through the ministry’s online portal.

The mandate introduces compulsory digital price registration for all businesses operating in the Qatari market. Shop owners must now upload and maintain current pricing information for their goods and services on the official government platform.

Under the new regulation, businesses are required to input pricing data through the ministry’s website, making this information publicly accessible. The system aims to create a centralised database of retail prices across the country’s commercial sector.

The directive establishes a standardised approach to price transparency, requiring all retail establishments to comply with the digital registration process. This marks a significant shift from previous practices where price reporting mechanisms varied across different business sectors.

The ministry has confirmed that the new system will be mandatory for all commercial establishments, including retail shops, industrial facilities, and service providers. This

The implementation timeline and specific technical requirements for businesses to comply with this new digital registration system have been outlined in the ministry’s circular to affected establishments.

For the full story, click here.

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Oman: Issues New Law on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 27 October 2025: Sultan of Oman has issued a new Oman Sultani Decree No. 92/2025 establishing comprehensive legislation for persons with disabilities.

It introduces updated regulations governing disability rights across the sultanate.

Under the new legislation, the Minister of Social Development has been tasked with issuing executive regulations and implementation decisions. Existing regulations will remain in force until the new framework is fully implemented.

The decree explicitly repeals Oman Sultani Decree No. 63/2008 on the Welfare and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Law, along with any contradicting provisions from other legislation.

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Kuwait: Municipality Updates Building Specifications

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Anba, 27 October 2025: Kuwait Municipality has announced significant modifications to the building specifications and commercial ratios for the Educational, Cultural, and Entertainment Centre project on Abdullah Al-Ahmad Street.

The revised plans detail three distinct building plots. Plot A will feature a 40-storey building, including three underground parking levels, 14 floors dedicated to cultural, entertainment, educational, and commercial rental spaces, and 25 floors allocated for either hotel accommodation, administrative offices, or a combination of both.

Plot B will comprise an 11-storey structure, incorporating three underground parking levels. The ground floor through to the tenth floor will house rental spaces for cultural, entertainment, educational, and commercial activities, topped by a recreational roof area featuring green spaces and complimentary children’s play facilities.

Plot C will be developed as a public car park building with six floors above ground and three basement levels. The rooftop will be converted into a free public skating garden.

The municipality has also adjusted the rental space allocation, stipulating that commercial activities, including retail shops, restaurants, and cafes, must not exceed 60% of the total rental area. The remaining minimum 40% is designated for educational, cultural, and entertainment activities.

For the full story, click here.

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Bahrain: Parliament Approves Major Media Law Reform

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 26 October 2025: Bahrain’s Shura Council has approved a comprehensive new Press and Media Law.

The legislative introduced several significant changes to existing media regulations. A key reform removes prison sentences for publication-related offences, replacing them with financial penalties.

The new law establishes regulatory frameworks for digital and electronic media platforms, addressing modern communication channels previously not covered by existing legislation. It also implements enhanced legal protections for working journalists.

Once ratified by the King, the law will replace previous media regulations, introducing updated standards for both traditional and digital media operations. The legislation addresses contemporary media practices while maintaining professional standards for the industry.

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ADGM: Introduces Enhanced Regulatory Framework

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

ADGM has implemented new Administrative Regulations for 2025, introducing comprehensive changes to its enforcement and regulatory procedures.

The updated framework establishes a two-tier system for handling contraventions based on their severity. It also consolidates the Authority’s investigative powers and introduces revised fine levels to better reflect the seriousness of different infractions.

Key changes include new emergency procedures for urgent cases and formal settlement agreement processes. The Authority’s chief executive can now deploy emergency measures when deemed necessary, while a structured settlement framework has been established for resolving disputes.

The regulations strengthen the Authority’s supervisory capabilities through enhanced information-gathering powers and enforcement mechanisms. These measures aim to ensure more efficient conclusion of supervisory and enforcement actions.

The new framework replaces previous commercial licensing regulations and associated rules, representing a complete overhaul of the existing system. It includes amendments to related commercial legislation to ensure consistency across all regulatory procedures.

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