Newsletter Archives - Page 3 of 264 - LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: TGA extends road‑transport compliance deadlines to August

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

2 April 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA) has extended key road‑transport compliance deadlines to August 2026 to allow operators additional time to meet regulatory requirements.

The decision applies to establishments involved in heavy and light freight activities and forms part of regulatory changes which aim at raising compliance levels and enhance operational efficiency across the sector.

The extension will allow companies additional time to complete rectification procedures and align with approved regulatory requirements. These include reclassifying vehicle registrations from private to public transport for heavy‑goods activities and improving fleet utilisation within the authorised regulatory framework.

In parallel, the TGA has also extended the deadline for drivers to obtain a professional driver card, giving drivers more time to complete required documentation and meet regulatory conditions.

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Qatar: Excise tax warehouse service launched to support business cash flow

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

2 April 2026: Qatar’s General Tax Authority (GTA) has launched an excise tax warehouse licensing service as part of efforts to enhance the implementation of excise tax and support business cashflow. The service enables licensed premises to produce, process, store or receive excise goods—whether locally manufactured or imported—under a tax‑suspension regime, allowing excise tax liability to be deferred while goods remain in approved warehouses.

The new regime will allow businesses to suspend tax payments until excise goods are released into the local market. By permitting the import and storage of excise goods and raw materials under tax suspension, the service will improvs cash‑flow efficiency, support production planning and enhances supply‑chain stability. Authorities have said the new framework will also contribute to improved inventory management and more efficient operational planning for registered taxpayers.

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Saudi Arabia: Expired visit visa holders may exit without fines until 18 April 2026

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

4 April 2026: Expired visit visa holders will be allowed to leave Saudi without paying overstay fines, provided they exit before 18 April 2026, following temporary relief measures issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Saudi authorities have announced a grace period for visitors whose visit visas expired on or after 25 February 2026, allowing them to depart Saudi without paying fines or penalties if they leave before 18 April 2026. The measure was introduced in response to regional travel disruptions that prevented many visitors from exiting on time.

The relief applies to visit visas, Umrah visas, transit visas, and final exit permits. Affected individuals may either exit Saudi Arabia directly through any international airport or border crossing without extending their visa or paying fees, or apply for a temporary extension through the Absher platform, subject to payment of the applicable government fees.

Saudi authorities have urged all eligible visa holders to act before the 18 April 2026 deadline, warning that standard overstay fines and legal consequences will apply once the grace period expires. The measure is described as temporary and exceptional, aimed at preventing penalties for overstays caused by circumstances beyond travellers’ control.

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Oman: Drone spraying halted as farm and water safety rules tighten

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

4 April 2026: Authorities in Oman have banned drone‑based pesticide spraying and have launched a nationwide well safety inspections as they tighten controls to protect public health and the environment.

Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has confirmed that the use of drones for pesticide spraying is currently prohibited, with only ground‑based spraying permitted under existing regulations. The ministry has said the ban is intended to ensure proper oversight, environmental protection, and operational safety in pesticide use.

The measures were announced during a briefing on the ministry’s recent performance and priorities, signalling a stricter regulatory stance on agricultural practices and environmental safeguards. Authorities have indicated that compliance monitoring and inspections will continue under existing agricultural and water resource regulations.

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Oman: Central bank sets rules for replacing damaged bank notes

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

5 April 2026: The Omani Central Bank has clarified formal procedures for replacing damaged banknotes, outlining conditions and documentation required for exchange.

The Central Bank has issued guidance setting out how members of the public can exchange damaged Omani banknotes, confirming that torn, burned and physically damaged currency may be replaced if specific conditions are met. Replacements will be made with notes fit for circulation once eligibility requirements are satisfied.

In the case of burnt banknotes, applicants must present the damaged currency in person alongside a police report or official certificate which has been issued by the Royal Oman Police or the relevant wali confirming the fire incident, in addition to a valid national ID or resident card.

In cases involving torn banknotes, the Central Bank requires that more than half of the note remains intact, including at least one complete serial number and a visible signature. Where damaged currency does not meet these criteria, the Central Bank has said exceptions may be considered if supported by an official letter from the Ministry of Social Development or the wali, explaining the individual’s circumstances and requesting the exchange.

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Dubai: Customs open Oman route to keep cargo moving

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

5 April 2026: Authorities in Dubai have introduced new customs rules allowing cargo to be rerouted through Oman, formalising a temporary land‑based corridor to maintain trade flows amid ongoing logistics disruptions.

Dubai Customs has issued a new directive setting out a detailed framework for routing cargo through Oman using a temporary land corridor via the Hatta border crossing. The measures were introduced under Customs Notice No. 06/2026 and are aimed at ensuring continuity of supply chains during disruptions affecting sea and air routes across the region.

Under the framework, cargo arriving in Dubai from international markets, as well as goods originating in Dubai for export, may be transported by road to Omani ports or airports before continuing to global destinations. The system applies to both sea and air cargo, allowing shipments to be sealed, moved in bonded trucks, and processed under coordinated customs supervision by Dubai and Oman authorities.

All cargo movements must be handled by approved bonded operators, with DP World Logistics designated for sea cargo and dnata for air cargo. The directive sets out mandatory documentation, seal verification, and inspection procedures at each stage of transit, reinforcing customs control while enabling faster rerouting during operational disruptions.

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Dubai: Hotels and businesses gain breathing space under fee deferral push

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

5 April 2026: Authorities in Dubai have introduced new economic measures allowing hotels and businesses to defer key government fees, as authorities move to ease short‑term financial pressures and support economic resilience.

Hotels and businesses will be able to defer a range of government fees for an initial period of three months, with effect from 1 April 2026. The decision forms part of a wider Dh1 billion economic incentive package aimed at strengthening liquidity and maintaining business continuity across core sectors.

Under the measures, hotels will be permitted to postpone payment of 100% of sales fees on room revenues, food and beverage services, as well as the Tourism Dirham. The relief applies across all hospitality establishments, including hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes, and is designed to address near‑term cash‑flow pressures in the tourism sector.

The deferral programme also extends to businesses across multiple sectors. Eligible companies may defer fees relating to premium business names, licence amendments, newspaper announcements, local service charges, accommodation fees, waste management fees and service improvement fees. The measures apply to both new licences and renewals, with authorities confirming that businesses will receive further guidance at the end of the three‑month period.

Officials stated the move was an administrative policy response rooted in Dubai’s adaptive economic model.

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Saudi Arabia: ZATCA waives bank guarantees and metal plates for transit carriers

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

6 April 2026: Saudi Arabia has removed the requirement for bank guarantees and metal transit plates for transit carriers, streamlining customs procedures to support trade flow and logistics efficiency.

Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced that transit transport activities may now be carried out without submitting a bank guarantee, as part of a broader effort to simplify customs procedures and increase operational flexibility during the current phase. The measure applies across land, sea, and air ports in the Kingdom and is intended to ensure uninterrupted cargo movement.

In addition, ZATCA confirmed that metal transit plates are no longer required for carriers transporting goods under the domestic transit system between air and sea ports. The removal of this requirement is designed to facilitate faster transfers between ports and reduce procedural burdens on logistics operators.

The changes aim to enhance the efficiency of supply chains, support the smooth flow of trade, and strengthen the resilience of customs services under varying regional and global conditions. The simplified framework should improve logistics flexibility while allowing Zatca to maintain operational oversight through existing electronic and regulatory controls.

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Kuwait: Central bank moves to shield banks amid regional conflict

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

6 April 2026: The Kuwaiti Central Bank has adopted proactive regulatory and liquidity measures to support local banks and safeguard financial stability amid the risk of escalation in the ongoing regional war.

The Central Bank of Kuwait has taken a series of precautionary decisions aimed at preparing the banking sector for potential disruptions arising from the continuing conflict in the region. The measures have been adopted in anticipation of worst‑case geopolitical scenarios, with a view to maintaining financial stability and ensuring uninterrupted banking services across the country.

The Central Bank has activated macro‑prudential policy tools and issued revised regulatory instructions related to liquidity and capital adequacy requirements. These include temporary easing of liquidity standards, allowing banks greater operational flexibility while preserving strong regulatory buffers. The Central Bank has stressed that Kuwaiti banks remain financially sound, as liquidity and capital ratios already exceeded international regulatory benchmarks.

The measures are designed to enhance banks’ capacity to continue lending, support economic activity, and absorb potential shocks without undermining depositor confidence or system integrity. The moves build on the central bank’s long‑standing prudential approach and reflect its assessment that proactive intervention is preferable to reactive crisis management.

The central bank has confirmed it is closely monitoring geopolitical developments, financial markets, and economic indicators on a continuous basis. It has added additional measures could be taken if required to protect monetary stability, payment systems, and public confidence in Kuwait’s banking sector.

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Dubai: Dubai South rolls out rent relief and fee waivers for SMEs

08/04/202608/04/2026
by Tanya Jain

6 April 2026: Dubai South has announced a new support package offering rent relief, flexible payment terms and waived administrative fees to small and medium‑sized enterprises operating at its Business Park.

Dubai South has introduced a targeted relief package for SMEs based at its Business Park, designed to ease financial pressures and support business continuity. The measures include rent‑free incentives linked to contract renewals, enhanced flexibility on payment deferrals, and the waiver of minor administrative penalties, alongside a commitment to maintain current rental rates for eligible renewals.

Officials have said the initiative aligns with broader UAE government efforts to preserve economic stability and strengthen the SME sector, which plays a key role in innovation, employment and diversification.

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