Newsletter Archives - Page 23 of 247 - LexisNexis Middle East

Qatar: Cabinet Approves Draft Traffic Law Legislation

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 8 May 2025: The Qatari Cabinet approved draft legislation for a new traffic law.

This legal decision is part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to regulate and develop traffic movement, improve traffic security, and adapt to advancements in infrastructure and automotive technology.

The draft legislation introduces updated mechanisms for detecting traffic violations, thereby serving the public interest. The law aims to align traffic regulations with the nation’s infrastructural developments and technological advancements, ensuring a safer and more efficient traffic system.

The draft law has been referred to the Shura Council for further deliberation.

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Kuwait: Health Ministry Sets Prices for Sets Medicines

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Kuwait Times, 12 May 2025: Kuwait Ministerial Decision No 93/2025, has been issued approving new pricing for 69 medicines and pharmaceutical products in private pharmacies.

The decision follows recommendations made by the Drug Pricing Committee. These approved prices are for a wide range of therapeutic categories. These include medications for cancer, including leukemia, as well as treatments for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. It also covers anticoagulants, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, asthma treatments, osteoporosis drugs, thyroid medications, dermatological preparations, Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments, obesity medications, and migraine relief drugs.

The new decision complements Kuwait Ministerial Decision No. 74/2023.

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Dubai: Smart Building Policy

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 9 May 2025: Sheikh Hamdan has approved a smart building policy design to reduce consumption of water and energy.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Executive Council, has approved the new policy measures in alignment with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The policy is being led by the Dubai Municipality. It outlines standards for smart buildings that use renewable energy, intelligent water networks, smart parking, automated climate control, and real-time monitoring systems.

It aims to reduce power consumption in buildings by 25%, water use by 15%, and operational costs by 20%,

At present, adoption of the policy is purely voluntary in new buildings, but it will be backed up by initiatives to encourage adoption by investors and developers in due course.

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Bahrain: Implements New Halal Regulations

15/05/202515/05/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 8 May 2025: Bahrain’s Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture has issued Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 to regulate halal production and certification processes.

This legal framework aims to ensure that halal goods meet Islamic rules throughout all stages of preparation and sale, aligning with Bahraini product standards and GCC agreements.

The decision impacts producers and certifying bodies, requiring them to obtain halal certification from the Ministry or recognised entities. Companies must conduct regular internal checks and comply with site visits, sample testing, and production audits by Ministry inspectors to verify adherence to halal standards.

The Ministry oversees requests for halal checks and approves certifying bodies, ensuring their capability to issue certificates. Article 6 of Bahrain Decision No. 61/2024 outlines the responsibilities of these bodies, including collaboration with the Ministry and ensuring compliance by endorsed entities.

Halal audit teams are tasked with inspecting and testing food and services to ensure compliance, with penalties for non-compliance detailed in Article 13 of Bahrain Decision No. 76/2024. The initiative includes developing the Bahrain Halal Platform, an online system for verifying product certification.

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UAE: Securities Authority Imposes Disciplinary Actions for Market Violations

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Mubasher, 6 May 2025: The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has issued a financial penalty of AED 100,000 to an investor for engaging in pre-emptive trading activities.

The relevant regulation governs trading, clearing, settlement, transfer of ownership, and custody of securities.

In a separate disciplinary action, the SCA revoked a preliminary approval of an employee holding the position of “Promotion Manager” at a licensed company. The revocation followed the employee’s proven misconduct during an examination on the UAE’s financial systems and regulations.

For full story, click here.

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Saudi Arabia: Directory for Occupational Safety and Health Standards

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Gazette, 4 May 2025: The Saudi General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI) has launched a comprehensive directory for occupational safety and health standards.

This initiative, unveiled at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference 2025 in Riyadh, impacts specialists, establishments, and relevant entities across the Kingdom, providing a unified reference to enhance workplace safety and health standards.

The directory, developed based on international best practices, will provide guidance for employers, workers, and inspectors, offering clear preventive standards to mitigate workplace injuries and occupational hazards. It covers over 4,500 standards across six main sectors: public industries, construction, agriculture, maritime activities, transport, and mining. Additionally, there is a detailed classification of more than 70 sectors aligned with the national directory of economic activities.

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Sharjah: Law to Regulate Judicial Authority

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Mubasher, 6 May 2025: The Ruler of Sharjah has approved a draft law on the organization of the judicial authority in the emirate.

The law outlines the formation of the Judicial Council, which includes key judicial figures such as the President of the Judicial Department, the Head of the Legal Department of the Sharjah Government, and the Attorney General, among others. The council is tasked with ensuring the independence, integrity, and neutrality of the judiciary, aligning with the emirate’s vision for a developed judicial system.

Key responsibilities of the council include setting general policies, proposing and reviewing legislation related to the judiciary, overseeing judicial operations, and organising restorative justice. The council will also handle appointments, promotions, and retirements of judicial members, ensuring adherence to legal standards.

The law mandates the creation of a judicial code of conduct and allows for the outsourcing and privatization of judicial services, with specific regulations and fees. It also requires the preparation of an annual report on judicial achievements and challenges, submitted to the Ruler.

For full story, click here.

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Qatar: MECC Releases Second Edition of Corporate Environmental Sustainability Book

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

The Peninsula, 30 April 2025: The Qatari Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has issued the second edition of the “Corporate Environmental Sustainability: Reports and Achievements” book.

This shows s the growing commitment of Qatari companies to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

The MECC has launched several policies and initiatives which are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting renewable energy. These efforts have been complemented by awareness programmes designed to foster a culture of sustainability within the community. The Ministry has also been focused on developing specialist guidelines for key sectors including oil and gas, finance, education, and transportation, to encourage responsible environmental practices.

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Oman: VAT Regulations Amended to Include Armed Forces Refunds

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News, 5 May 2025: Oman’s Tax Authority has announced an amendment to VAT regulations Oman Decision No. 53/2021, allowing the country’s armed and security forces to claim VAT refunds on specific purchases under Oman Decision No. 81/2025.

This amendment allows the armed forces to claim VAT refunds on purchases related to military operations, including equipment, weapons, ammunition, transport vehicles, spare parts, and accessories.

The decision broadens the scope of VAT refund eligibility, initially established in 2020, to now encompass six categories of entities, including all sectors of the armed and security forces. Under the new rules, these entities are entitled to submit VAT refund applications every three months, provided the claim amount is at least OR15.

Each application must be accompanied by the relevant tax invoice or simplified tax invoice and proof of payment from the applicant’s bank account. The Tax Authority must respond to each request within 30 days of receiving the complete documentation. If no response is given, the request is automatically considered rejected. Approved refunds must be processed and returned to the applicant within 15 days.

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Kuwait: Civil Service Commission Automates Job Status Amendment Procedures

08/05/202508/05/2025
by Tanya Jain

Khaligyoun, 30 April 2025: The Kuwait Civil Service Commission has announced the automation of job status amendment procedures.

This initiative has been launched to simplify procedures and expedite transaction completion between the employee’s workplace and the relevant departments within the Commission. The automation process will begin with the submission of requests by the employee’s workplace through the system, followed by review and approval by the relevant Civil Service Commission department.

The automation of procedures are part of a broader initiative towards a “paperless Commission,” complementing existing systems for appointments, external transfers, experience calculation, job title changes, and end-of-service settlements.

For full story, click here.

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