LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: Royal Decree on Penalties and Alternative Measures Issued

12/09/202112/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Al Watan, 9 September 2021: Bahrain’s King has issued Bahrain Decree-Law No. 24/2021 amending Article 13 of Bahrain Law No. 18/2017.

Under the amendments, the Interior Ministry can request the execution judge to replace the original penalty with another one providing the defendant does not pose a threat to public security.

The defendant should show good conduct and behaviour and should honour the financial obligations of a ruling against them.

For full story, click here.

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News developments

Kuwait: Separate Investment Ministry Could be Established

08/09/202108/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait Times, 7 September 2021: The Kuwaiti Government is considering splitting the Finance Ministry into two.

One would be solely responsible for investment.

The aim is to promote greater independent decision-making.

It would include the investment bodies which manage state finances. It would have members from the Public Institution for Social Security, Kuwait Investment Authority, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects, Kuwait Privatisation Agency, Central Bank among others.

The Investment Minister would be Kuwait Investment Authority board member Fahad Al-Rashed.

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News developments

Qatar: Holiday Home Rental Regulations Issued

08/09/202108/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Peninsula, 6 September 2021: Qatar Tourism has issued new holiday home rental regulations.

They are aimed at regulating the operation of holiday homes owned by individuals. They are also aimed at providing a complete licensing and classification process and ensuring international best practices are adopted.

This will increase transparency, safety and standardisation in the sector.

Homeowners have to apply for a license, including quality standards, amenities, health and safety, accessibility criteria, code of conduct and environmental sustainability.

They have announced they have also upgraded their system to support the new license applications for owners and authorised tenants who can now apply for a Holiday Homes license through the e-Services portal.

They will carry out frequent inspections to ensure compliance.

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News developments

UAE: Data Privacy Law on the Way

07/09/202107/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Khaleej Times, 5 September 2021: The UAE authorities have announced a data privacy law is on the way.

It will be introduced as part of the Projects of the 50 programme.

It will be drafted together with major technology companies.

It will be the country’s first law in this area and will enable individuals to control the way their personal information is used, stored and shared.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Fines for Disregarding Passports Tightened

05/09/202105/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Okaz, 31 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has announced it has approved an increase in the fines for individuals disregarding passports.

Under the new Cabinet Decision, a change of passport details or dismissing it will result in a fine of up to 100,000 Riyals.

Previously, fines for this offence were 5,000 Riyals.

The length of travel bans on offenders has also been extended from three to five years.

The same penalties will be applied on those who access the country from illegal terminals and those who enter or leave the country without a passport.

For full story see https://www.okaz.com.sa/news/local/2080557.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Energy Department Issues Regulatory Policy for Clean Energy Certificates

02/09/202102/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Abu Dhabi’s Energy Department has announced it has launched a Regulatory Policy for Clean Energy Certificates.

The Policy sets out the regulations and principles for implementing a clean energy certificates scheme in the Emirate.

It follows news last week that the Department has been granted powers to issue these certificates.

It is aimed at helping to reduce the carbon footprint of power generation in the Emirate and providing a reliable accreditation system.

The Clean Energy Certificates scheme has been modelled on the internationally recognised attribute tracking system for renewable energy certificates developed by the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard Foundation (I-REC Standard).

The I-REC Standard is responsible for providing a single central registry platform and the I-REC Registry will keep and update records of the full lifecycle of ownership and use of the issued Clean Energy Certificates. It will record all trading transactions, verify claims and ensure there is no Clean Energy Certificate double counting.

The Emirates Water and Electricity Company will act as a Single Registrant for the electricity injected into the grid from DoE licensed generation entities.

They will also ensure all generation plants producing clean energy in the Emirate are listed in the I-REC Registry. Businesses or consumers who want to obtain a clean energy certificate can act as Participants but will have to open an account in the I-REC Registry platform.

The certificates will be issued in units of 1 MW/h after receiving a request from the Single Registrant. The Participants can then purchase certificates and allocate beneficiaries.

Clean Energy Certificates are voluntary tradeable financial instruments which certify the purchase of a specific amount of electricity which has been generated from a clean energy source. Once the solar or nuclear energy is fed into the grid, the Clean Energy Certificates can be traded as credits to claim the environmental and social benefits of low carbon energy consumption.

Anyone can act as a Participant and can purchase the certificates and sell them in whole or in part to end customers. The Single Registrant can also act as a Participant if they are approved by the Energy Department. This allows anyone to benefit from the system, regardless of their level of consumption. Anyone can buy certificates which guarantee the electricity they consume does not emit carbon.

Unlike I-REC systems in other regions, the Energy Department will not charge for acting as a local Issuer.

Also reported in Alroeya on 29 August 2021. For full story, click here.

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News developments

Bahrain: Phase Two of Wage Protection System to be Rolled Out

01/09/202101/09/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority has announced phase two of the Wage Protection System is going to be rolled out on 1 September.

It follows the rolling out of the first phase on 1 May this year. That roll out affected employers with more than 500 employees.

It will affect employers with 50 to 499 employees.

Employers will have six months to comply.

They can enrol before they have to.

Phase three will be rolled out on 1 January 2022. It will affect employers with one to 49 employees.

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News developments

Egypt: Conditions for Opening Representation Offices for Foreign Banks Explained

29/08/202129/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Youm7, 26 August 2021: The Egyptian authorities have explained the conditions for foreign banks to open representation offices in the country.

Under Egypt Law No. 194/2020, foreign banks should not have branches in Egypt and their headquarters should be located in their home countries.

The roles of representation offices should be limited to studying the market and investment opportunities.

The offices cannot operate banking activities.

The head of the representation office should be approved by the Central Bank Governor.

The Central Bank has the authority to supervise these offices and review its records. For full story, click here.

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News developments

Qatar: Family Visit Visas Changes Announced

29/08/202129/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Peninsula, 26 August 2021: The General Directorate of Passports of the Interior Ministry has announced family visit visa changes.

Under the changes, health insurance and a return ticket are required for family visit visas to be approved.

Various applications have already been rejected because they have not satisfied these conditions.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Articles of Incorporation Translation Service Launched

29/08/202129/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Saudi Gazette, 26 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Ministry has announced it has launched an articles of incorporation translation service.

The instant service will enable companies to obtain an electronic copy of the English translation of the articles of incorporation.

The aim is to reduce the time and effort in obtaining these documents.

The service can be accessed via https://mc.gov.sa/. Also reported in Al-Eqtisadiya on 26 August 2021. For full story see https://www.aleqt.com/2021/08/26/article_2159316.html

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