Newsletter Archives - Page 34 of 247 - LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: MP Pushes For Law To Make Arabic Contracts Mandatory

13/02/202513/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 7 February 2025: In Bahrain, the continued issuance of contracts in English, despite Arabic being the official language, has prompted a legislative push for change.

A member of parliament is advocating for a law that would mandate the use of Arabic in all contractual agreements.

This move aims to ensure that customers fully understand the terms they are agreeing to, as many currently sign documents they cannot read.

The proposed legislation would require companies to provide agreements in Arabic and supply official copies to clients.

This requirement aligns with Arabic’s status as the country’s official language, which should already dictate the language of legal documents.

Contracts written in English or other languages have led to numerous misunderstandings and court disputes, highlighting the need for clarity.

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Oman: Tightens Citizenship Rules

12/02/202512/02/2025
by Tanya Jain

Gulf News, 10 February 2025: Oman has enacted a more stringent Nationality Law, Oman Sultani Decree No. 17/2025, which specifies the conditions under which Omani citizenship can be lost, revoked, or withdrawn.

This law highlights the Sultanate’s emphasis on loyalty and national integrity, detailing scenarios where citizenship may be automatically forfeited or revoked by the government. According to Article 23 of Oman Sultani Decree No. 17/2025, Omani nationals who unlawfully acquire a foreign nationality will automatically lose their Omani citizenship.

The law also addresses marriage-related nationality issues. A foreigner who gains Omani citizenship through marriage to an Omani woman will lose it if the marriage ends in divorce or desertion within five years. However, the children of such a union will retain their Omani nationality, even if the father loses his.

Similarly, a foreign woman who becomes an Omani citizen through marriage to an Omani man will lose her citizenship if she divorces and remarries a non-Omani, effective from the date of the second marriage. The law also sets forth conditions for the revocation of citizenship.

Under Article 26 of Oman Sultani Decree No. 17/2025, individuals may be stripped of their nationality for insulting the Sultan or the Sultanate, either verbally or through actions.
Membership in organizations or parties that promote ideologies detrimental to Oman’s interests can also lead to revocation.

Furthermore, Omani nationals working for a foreign government in a capacity that conflicts with Oman’s interests, and who refuse to resign despite official requests, may lose their citizenship. This also applies to those working for hostile nations actively opposing Oman. However, the law allows for the reinstatement of citizenship if the circumstances leading to revocation are resolved.

Additionally, Oman has introduced provisions for withdrawing citizenship from individuals who obtained it through fraudulent or illegal means.

Article 27 of Oman Sultani Decree No. 17/2025 states that those convicted of crimes against state security or sentenced for multiple felonies within five years of acquiring nationality may have their citizenship revoked.

Long-term absence from Oman is also a factor; individuals who remain outside the country for more than 24 consecutive months without a valid reason risk losing their nationality.

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UAE: AI In Courts

07/02/202507/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 5 February 2025: AI could soon play a key role in the UAE’s judicial system, with trials already underway to test its effectiveness in case analysis.

A top government official has revealed that AI is being used to assist in cases where outcomes are clear-cut and require no human discretion.

Beyond case rulings, AI is also streamlining legal processes by translating, summarising, and analysing large volumes of documents.

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Sharjah: Ruler Issues Law on Human Resources for Military Personnel

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

A new law has been enacted in Sharjah, amending previous legislation concerning human resources for military personnel in regulatory bodies.

This amendment introduces changes to the promotion and retirement processes, as well as the establishment of a Police Judiciary Council.

The revised law mandates the formation of committees within regulatory bodies to oversee promotions and retirements, ensuring candidates meet the necessary criteria.

For higher-ranking officers, proposals for promotion or retirement must be submitted to the Ruler for approval, while decisions for lower ranks are handled by the respective bodies.

The newly established Police Judiciary Council is tasked with reviewing disciplinary violations and imposing penalties, with its decisions requiring ratification by the head of the relevant regulatory body.

These changes aim to enhance the governance and accountability of military personnel within the emirate.

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Saudi Arabia: Waives Tax Fines

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 4 February 2025: Saudi Arabia has announced it will waive a range of fines and penalties on tax violations as it looks to support businesses registered in its tax system.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has urged taxpayers to seize the opportunity presented by the cancellation of fines and exemption of penalties initiative, which is available until 30 June 2025.

This initiative offers a reprieve from fines associated with late registration, payment, and filing of returns under all tax laws.

Additionally, it includes waivers for penalties related to correcting VAT returns, violations of VAT field control, and non-compliance with e-invoicing and other VAT regulations.

To benefit from this initiative, taxpayers must be registered with the tax system, submit any previously unfiled returns to ZATCA, and settle all outstanding principal tax debts related to those returns.

An option to apply for an instalment plan is also available, provided the application is made while the initiative is active and all payments are made on time as per the approved schedule.

However, the initiative does not extend to penalties related to tax evasion or fines that were settled before the initiative commenced.

ZATCA encourages taxpayers to familiarise themselves with the initiative’s details through the simplified guidelines on its website.

These guidelines offer a thorough explanation of the types of penalties covered, the conditions for exemption, the process for managing instalment payments, and information on field control violations.

For further inquiries, taxpayers can contact ZATCA via phone: 19993, X: @Zatca_Care, Email: info@zatca.gov.sa and Online: zatca.gov.sa.

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Qatar: MoJ Unveils New Digital Real Estate Services

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 5 February 2025: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in Qatar has launched a new suite of electronic services aimed at modernising real estate registration and documentation.

The updated Sak Application now offers services such as issuing replacement title deeds, correcting property details, and managing mortgages.

It also features QR codes on title deeds for easy access to property information and location via GIS and Google Maps.

Transactions can be completed electronically, with documents delivered through Qatar Post, reducing the need for in-person visits.

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Oman: Approves Draft Personal Income Tax Law

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 28 January 2025: The State Council and Majlis Al Shura have approved the draft laws on personal income tax with recommendations on some articles.

On the Personal Income Tax Law, both State Council and Shura agreed to raise the tax exemption limit to RO 50,000 (annual income) for the benefit of the middle class and reduce the percentage to 5%.

Both the Councils have also agreed not to calculate the gratuity or other end-of-service benefits within the Personal Income Tax as they are not considered a sources of income.

As per the draft income law, individuals who are earning monthly salaries of above RO 2,500 (over RO 30,000 income annually) will be subjected to income tax once it is implemented. However, both

Members of the Council have agreed that the minimum income of RO 30,000, which covered around 32,000 people, was proposed by the government according to a study conducted in 2019/2020.

Some members also suggested to postpone the implementation of the law but if the law is implemented the minimum income has to be raised and other recommendations should be also included.

The Finance Minister had confirmed that Personal Income Tax Law will not be imposed unless conditions are suitable for it to be implemented.

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Kuwait: Banks Lift Minimum Salary Limit for Opening an Account

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 30 January 2025: The Central Bank of Kuwait has issued a directive to banks to open accounts for all customer categories, including those with limited or low incomes, job holders, workers in simple service and craft jobs, and domestic workers.

This move aims to simplify procedures and ensure that banks do not refuse account openings based on salary or income level.

By lifting the minimum salary requirement, middle- and low-income individuals can now access bank accounts in all local banks.

This initiative aligns with the regulatory authority’s focus on financial inclusion, ensuring that banking services are accessible to all segments of society.

It allows individuals to open accounts through official channels at an appropriate quality and cost, protecting their rights and enabling proper money management.

These accounts are crucial for storing funds and facilitating payment transfers.

The removal of barriers aligns with the goal of enhancing financial inclusion, as restricting access to banking services prevents many individuals from accessing useful and affordable financial products.

The effort to make low-value and low-cost bank accounts available also supports the promotion of digital payments.

Recent data indicates that domestic workers make up a significant portion of Kuwait’s workforce, highlighting the importance of this initiative.

The Central Bank stresses the need to make it easier for all societal segments to open bank accounts, urging banks to remove obstacles that prevent certain groups from accessing these services.

The directive also extends to facilitating lending and small deposits, broadening the range of financial services available to all individuals.

This effort aims to provide better opportunities for managing money and securing financial services.

Opening a bank account is seen as a crucial first step in accessing broader financial services, encouraging the use of other financial products like money transfers and limited credit, which can improve quality of life.

Banks are required to comply with the Central Bank’s directive to open accounts for individuals with low salaries, including “worker account holders.

However, these accounts are not actively marketed due to the pressure they place on banking systems, as they typically do not generate significant benefits for banks.

The Central Bank’s initiatives also extend to businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with efforts to facilitate access to financial services for these businesses.

The regulatory system is developing strategies and policies to promote financial inclusion, encouraging the use of official financing channels and modern financial technology to reduce operational costs and ease pressures on banks serving low-income customers.

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Bahrain: Proposes Tough Penalties for Privacy Violations

06/02/202506/02/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 3 February 2025: In Bahrain, a new legislative proposal is making waves as it seeks to impose stringent penalties on individuals who invade others’ privacy.

The proposed law, currently under discussion, aims to deter privacy violations by introducing severe consequences, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

This move reflects a growing recognition of the importance of personal privacy in the digital age, where unauthorised access to personal information has become increasingly prevalent.

The legislation highlights the commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and ensuring that privacy breaches are met with appropriate legal repercussions.

As the debate continues, the proposal has sparked significant public interest and discussion about the balance between security and personal freedom.

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UAE: Advances with $790M VAT Refunds and Digital Expansion

30/01/202530/01/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arabian Business, 26 January 2025: The UAE has made significant progress in its tax refund initiatives, granting $790 million in VAT refunds to nationals constructing new homes and unveiling VAT waivers for tourists.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has highlighted the success of its digital VAT refund systems, which have been enhanced through ongoing digitalisation efforts.

Since the inception of the VAT-refund service for UAE nationals building new residences, 34,900 applications have been approved, amounting to AED2.9 billion ($790 million).

This marks a notable increase from the previous year’s figures, with a 27.52% rise in approved applications and a 32% increase in refund value.

In 2024 alone, 7,520 applications were approved, totaling AED704.38 million ($192 million).

The growth trajectory is evident when compared to previous years, with applications rising from 270 in 2018 to 8,250 in 2023.

The FTA has also expanded the digital VAT-refund scheme for tourists, with the number of registered retail outlets growing to 17,847 by the end of 2024.

This expansion includes the addition of 1,490 new retailers in 2024, contributing to a total of 3,008 outlets over two years.

The FTA is committed to enhancing the tourist experience by increasing the number of self-service kiosks for tax refunds, which now total 97 across major shopping malls, hotels, and airport terminals.

These kiosks process transactions in under two minutes, reflecting an 18.3% increase from the previous year.

The authority has emphasised its dedication to advancing digital systems in line with global best practices and the UAE’s digital transformation strategy.

The FTA plans to continue launching projects in 2025 to further streamline tax services, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance customer satisfaction.

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