Newsletter Archives - Page 206 of 250 - LexisNexis Middle East

UAE: New Artificial Intelligence Network to be Launched

15/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Sultan Al Olama has announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Network to accelerate the adoption of AI across various sectors in the country. The network will be dedicated to gathering Governments, private entities, international organisations, start-ups, research centres, academic institutions, business incubators and accelerators to discuss and exchange expertise in this field and identify challenges and roadblocks which affect its adoption and how to solve them. It is hoped it will boost the country’s global position as a preferred destination for AI development and adoption and is part of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. Network members will be able to take part in various local and international events, including the annual AI Conferences organised by the UAE National Programme for AI, as well as AI-focused seminars, conferences, workshops, meetings and sessions. They will also be able to network with AI

First Cooperation Agreement Between Saudi Arabia’s Monetary Authority and Dubai’s Financial Services Authority

14/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Monetary Authority has signed its first cooperation agreement with Dubai’s Financial Services Authority. It was signed by the Agency’s Governor, Ahmed Al-Kholifey and the Authority’s Chairman, Saeb Eigner. It is aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation in banking and insurance activity supervision. It will also facilitate the exchange of information and oversight of institutions supervised by the respective authorities in Saudi Arabia and the Dubai International Financial Centre. In addition, it will allow secondments for employees from both the Authorities to the other.

Qatar: New Law to Replace Qatar Law No. 25/2004

14/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law to replace Qatar Law No. 25/2004 on Combating Concealment of Illegal Commercial, Economic and Professional Practices by Non-Qataris. It applies to those using the name, license or commercial record of another when these activities are for the benefit of an actor’s own account, or in association with others. Anyone violating the law will be jailed for up to one year and/or fined between 20,000 and 500,000 Riyals. In every case, the court will order the confiscation of the property in question or the proceeds from it, taking into consideration the rights of bona fide third parties. The court may also order the revocation of any relevant license, or annul any relevant commercial registration and close premises or suspend activity for up to one year.

A Unified GCC Environmental Law in the Making

14/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

A Unified Environmental Law has been called for following the 21st meeting of the Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs. The relevant Ministers also approved the Committee of Ministers Responsible for the Environment Affairs for 2020 to 2024 strategic plan and the strategy of the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Environment Affairs for 2020 to 2024. The operational committees will start their work to implement the plan. Each committee will set the detailed terms of reference for the committee at its first meeting and submit an annual report to the undersecretaries’ committee. A common framework for the GCC countries under the law will be presented at the next meeting

Weekly Spotlight: The UAE’s Central Bank has Announced it will Establish a FinTech Office

13/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Central Bank has announced it will establish a FinTech Office. The Office will help draft regulations for this sector and encourage it to grow. It will also examine assets like cryptocurrencies. It will not compete with other initiatives like the sandboxes in the financial free zones.

The Governor of the Central Bank made the announcement at the Middle East Banking Forum in Abu Dhabi. He added ‘the aim of the office will be to position the Central Bank as the coordinating authority, as an author of prudential and market conduct regulatory requirements and as an enabler and facilitator of fintech activities in the UAE. It will ensure financial innovation continues in the banking sector with the support and facilitation of the national authorities’.

Saudi Arabia is considering introducing a carbon trading system

02/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister has announced the Kingdom is considering introducing a carbon trading system in the country. It will be aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This kind of scheme involves a cap-and-trade system or credits which pay for or offset greenhouse gas reductions.

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved draft amendments to the Labour Law

02/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved draft amendments to the Labour Law, Qatar Law No. 14/2004. If approved, labour dispute settlement committees will be established by a Ministerial Decision from the Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry.

Kuwait’s Court of Appeal has ruled a local bank could not increase the interest rate on a loan

02/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Court of Appeal has ruled a local bank could not increase the interest rate on a loan. The claim was brought by a lawyer who argued the bank breached the law when it deducted interest from her client loan before deducting the actual amount lent to her client. The lawyer argued the bank breached the Civil Law and Trade Law.

Dubai Municipality is ready to make all future contracts digital

01/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Dubai Municipality has announced it is ready to make all future contracts digital. They will become the first Government agency to do so. It comes as the Dubai Government looks to go completely paperless. The Municipality is waiting for legal authorisation before it starts issuing the first digital contracts. It means contractors and suppliers will be able to agree deals digitally with the Municipality by securing approvals and making electronic signatures.

Weekly Spotlight: ADGM has announced new Employment Regulations 2019

01/11/201911/12/2019
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi’s Global Market has announced it has issued new Employment Regulations 2019 and Compensation Awards and Limits Rules 2019. The Regulations will come into force on 1 January 2020.

It follows a public consultation earlier this year on proposed amendments to the 2015 Regulations and have been drafted taking into account international standards.

The key changes introduced by the Regulations and Rules include new overtime provisions for employees, aligning certain employees’ entitlements with those onshore, including repatriation flight tickets and sick leave, changes allowing employers and employees more flexibility in negotiating notice periods, introducing protective provisions for those aged between 15 and 18 and introducing a discretionary power to the Market Courts to impose penalties on employers for failing to pay employees’ entitlements due on termination.