News developments
Dubai’s Government Media Office has said no gambling licenses are being issued. They were responding to rumours on social media saying these licenses had started to be issued.
News developments
Bahrain has signed a mutual recognition of vaccination and green passports agreement with Israel. It is the first agreement of its kind between the two countries and is a global precedent for a bilateral agreement on mutual recognition of vaccination certificates. Under the agreement, those who have been vaccinated in both countries and received vaccinations recognised in the other country will be exempt from isolation rules and be able to enter places which require a green passport. In the second phase, arrangements will be made for people who have been vaccinated with a vaccine which is not recognised by one of the two countries. The identification process will be carried out digitally. This will facilitate entry into both countries. It is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and economic relations between the two countries. It follows recent talks between the Bahraini Foreign Affairs Minister and their Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi.
News developments
Abu Dhabi’s Culture and Tourism Department has announced a new Tourism Quality Standards and Licensing Framework. The ten quality manuals will apply to amusement parks, events, cultural sites, tourist transportation services, tourist accommodation and outdoor and adventure facilities and services. A trial phase of the frameworks is currently being rolled out and it will be fully implemented by the end of this year. The aim is to boost their sustainability, inclusivity and cultural richness.
News developments
Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 20 April 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has announced the penalties for those who spread rumours or false information about Coronavirus. Those found guilty will be fined one million Riyals and/or jailed for between one and five years. Repeat offenders could have the penalties doubled.
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News developments
The working group has been launched with Dubai Future Foundation. The working group will have 17 members as well as observers from the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. They will discuss current space dispute issues like equipment failures, space cargo disputes, or failure to deliver components on time. This might include substandard materials or design faults.
Source: Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 20 April 2021: The Dubai International Financial Centre Courts have established a working group for space-related disputes.
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News developments
Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved amendments to the Implementing Regulations to the White Lands Fees Law. They were issued by Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 379/1437. Under the amendments, the Regulations will be implemented in three phases. The first phase will include undeveloped plots of land with an area of 10,000 square metres or more, which fall within the scope specified by the Ministry. It will be implemented in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Makkah. The second phase will include developed plots of land with an area of 10,000 square metres or more for a single proprietor of 10,000 of square metres or more in one housing plan within the scope specified by the Ministry. The third phase will include developed land with an area of 5,000 square metres or more and the total area of developed plots of land for a single owner is 10,000 square metres or more in one city within the scope specified by the Ministry. It will also be possible to apply for more than one implementation phase in one city. The Ministry will carry out and periodically review the situation in any city to decide whether to apply taxes to plots of land there or suspend the application of tax, or implement one or more phases to bypass a certain phase and move to the next phase in the same city.
News developments
Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law on non-Qatari investors. Among other amendments to Qatar Law No. 1/2019, the amendment to Article 7 it will allow non-Qatari investors to own up to 100% of the capital of Qatari shareholding companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange. They also approved a draft Finance Ministry Decision to apply the requirements of substantial activity to the economic activities practiced in Qatar.
News developments
Oman’s Finance Ministry has issued Oman Financial Circular No. 1/2021 on awarding Government tenders which are no more than 10,000 Rials to SMEs. Under the Circular, all Ministries and public departments should award Government tenders for providing services and carrying work of no more than 10,000 Rials to SMEs who have the Riyada card.
News developments
Kuwait’s Central Bank has asked all service providers of electronic payment systems and their agents to get approval on the fees and commissions they charge for the services they offer to their customers. These businesses should charge fees for the services which represent a genuine benefit to customers. The Central Bank has issued these guidelines to regulate the electronic payment systems sector and set a suitable workflow to specify the fees and commission for this sector.
News developments
The Dubai International Financial Centre has launched a public consultation on proposed Intellectual Property Regulations. The consultation ends on 9 May 2021. The Proposed Regulations deal with the requirements concerning intellectual property infringement complaints to the DIFC Commissioner of Intellectual Property, the inspections and investigations the Intellectual Property Commissioner may carry out in dealing with these complaints and the requirements for issuing directions in respect of them. They will also establish a Register of Experts, which the Commissioner can refer to when investigating complaints and also covers the ability of the Commissioner to cooperate with relevant Federal and local authorities in the UAE from an enforcement perspective. They are aimed at facilitating the administration and enforcement of the DIFC Intellectual Property Law (DIFC Law No. 4/2019) and enhance the regulatory framework in the DIFC.
