LexisNexis Middle East

Saudi Arabia: E-invoicing System Launched

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

Saudi Gazette, 25 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has announced an e-invoicing system is going to be launched.

The FATOORAH system is aimed at promoting fair competition, tackling the black market and helping efforts to tackle anti-commercial concealment.

The system will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase will be launched on 4 December this year.

It will apply to taxpayers who are covered by the E-Invoice Regulation.

Tax invoices will have to be created and stored along with related debit and credit notices.

The second phase will be implemented gradually from January next year.

Taxpayers who are regulated by the FATOORAH regulation will have to stop issuing handwritten invoices, or invoices issued manually via text editing software. They will also have to be able to generate and store invoices electronically through a compliant e-invoicing system. This can be a cash register machine, a cloud system, or an enterprise resource planning software. The simplified tax invoices must include a QR code and tax invoices must include the VAT number of the buyer if the buyer is a registered VAT taxpayer.

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News developments

Qatar: Three Ways for Labour Complaints Explained

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

Al-Sharq, 23 August 2021: The Qatar Electronic Government has announced employees have three options to lodge complaints about Labour Law violations.

Employees will be able to make a complaint without having to visit Government offices. The employee will be able to make the complaint via the portal by using their identity number.

The employee will also be able to make a complaint via the electronic Amorni Qatar application.

The Government said the employee can also make a complaint by text message by sending a message to 92727.

For full story, click here.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Shipping Brokers Obliged to Issue Electronic Transport Document

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

Al Riyadh, 23 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s General Transport Authority has announced all entities who are working as shipping brokers should issue electronic transport documents from 15 September 2021.

The Authority said the relevant entities can apply for the document through its electronic portal.

The documents will include the basic details of the broker including sender, receiver, description of shipped items and the cost of shipping.

The Authority added the electronic document will enable it to monitor the shipping processes.

The aim of the document is to improve the quality of transportation services and protect the rights of senders and receivers.

For full story see https://www.alriyadh.com/1903181.

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News developments

Dubai: Specialist Anti-money Laundering Court Established

24/08/202124/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Following directives from the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler, a specialist anti-money laundering court is going to be established in the Dubai Courts.

It will be part of the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal.

It is the latest anti-money laundering move in the country.

The new court will support the Emirate’s efforts in tackling financial crimes, including money laundering.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Rules for Learner Drivers Clarified

21/08/202121/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 19 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Traffic Department has clarified the rules for learner drivers in the Kingdom.

The minimum driving age in the country is 18. This is decided in line with the Islamic calendar.

Learners can drive at 17 under the Islamic calendar under supervision.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Security Department allows citizens and residents to obtain a driver’s license.

Medical check-ups have to be taken. This check-up includes blood samples, an eye test and a general check-up.

Applicants must also pass a theory test. This includes 20 questions.

In terms of practical training, applicants have to go to a driving school first to get an assessment and the number of training hours required will then be determined.

The driving school will provide learner drivers with a training course customised to their needs. This will be followed by an assessment.

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News developments

Egypt: Maternity Leave Provisions Announced for Female Government Employees

21/08/202121/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt Today, 19 August 2021: The Egyptian authorities have announced the maternity leave provisions in the draft labour law.

It has been submitted to the House of Representatives.

All of the law’s provisions will be applied to women who are working without discrimination.

A woman will be entitled to paid maternity leave for four months. They may start taking the leave before they give birth and it must start to be taken within 45 days of them giving birth.

They will only be entitled to this leave twice during their professional career.

Women who are on maternity leave will not be able to be dismissed or have their employment terminated.

Women who return to work will be entitled to a nursing hour. They may take this in one instalment or two instalments in a day. This hour should be deducted from their working hours and no deductions for this should be taken from their pay.

A woman who works in a facility which employs more than 25 workers should be given unpaid leave for up to two years to care for their child. They may not take this leave more than three times throughout their career.

A woman may terminate the employment contract because of marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth, provided they inform their employers in writing three months ahead of the date of marriage, pregnancy, or delivery.

An employer who hires women must hang a copy of the women’s employment system in the workplace.

Employers who recruit more than 100 women, must establish a nursery or outsource a nursery to care for children of female employees under the terms and conditions determined by the relevant Minister.

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News developments

UAE: Central Bank Issues New Hawala Providers Guidance

21/08/202121/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Central Bank has announced it has issued new guidance on anti-money laundering and tackling terrorist financing to Registered Hawala Providers and Licensed Financial Institutions who provide services to them.

It came into force today.

It was issued after considering Federal Decree-Law No. 20/2018 and Cabinet Decision No. 10/2019 as well as Financial Action Task Force standards and guidance.

RHP have to comply fully with UAE requirements relating to targeted financial sanctions and suspicious transaction reporting). They also have to establish and maintain an effective anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance programme to prevent misuse of this activity to facilitate money-laundering or terrorist financing. This programme should include a competent compliance officer, appropriate customer and agent due diligence, transaction monitoring and record keeping.

In addition, they have to maintain an account with a bank operating in the UAE to be used for settlement and provide the Central Bank with details.

Licensed Financial Institutions should accept RHP customers and manage any risks from these transactions through appropriate controls. These institutions must not accept customers who are unregistered hawala providers based in the UAE and must immediately report an STR to the UAE’s Financial Intelligence Unit. They should also advise the Central Bank when they are detected and closely monitor the relationship.

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News developments

Egypt: First License for Financial Leasing for Small Business Approved

18/08/202118/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Youm7, 15 August 2021: Egypt’s Financial Supervisory Authority has announced it has issued the first license to a company providing financial leasing services to small businesses.

The approval has been issued as part of the implementation of Egypt Law No. 176/2018.

The Authority said it will boost financial inclusion in the Egyptian market and open new opportunities for small businesses to extend their operations.

For full story, click here.

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News developments

Oman: Motor Insurance Law Amendments Approved

17/08/202117/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Oman’s Sultan has approved amendments to the Sultanate’s Motor Insurance Law.

They have issued Oman Sultani Decree No. 53/2021 to amend Oman Sultani Decree No. 34/1994.

Anything which contradicts or contravenes with the Decree will be repealed.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force the day after it is published.

The Sultan also approved Oman Sultani Decree No. 54/2021 to implement the GCC Unified Law (System) on Combating Commercial Deception.

When it is being implemented, specific phrases will have specific meanings.

The Authority will mean the Consumer Protection Authority;

The Minister will mean the official tasked with implementing the Decree. This will be the Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority.

Employees designated as Judicial Inspectors will mean employees of the specialist Authority and the Ministries of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Health and other relevant departments in line with the laws and Sultani Decrees awarding these officials the designation or mission of judicial inspection for crimes stated in the Decree which relate to their employment role and responsibilities.

The Decree complements Oman Sultani Decree No. 84/2008 (the Food Security Law). Anything which contradicts or contravenes it will be repealed.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force the day after it is published.

The Sultan approved Oman Sultani Decree No. 55/2021 ratifying the agreement on establishing the GCC Accreditation Centre and Annex-1 as well. It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its issued date.

Finally, they approved Oman Sultani Decree No. 56/2021 ratifying the agreement between Oman and the GCC Secretariat General relating to the headquarters of the GCC Statistical Centre. The agreement was signed in Muscat in June 2021.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on its issued date.

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News developments

Dubai: New Action Plan for Emiratisation Announced

16/08/202116/08/2021
by Benjamin Filaferro

Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 15 August 2021: Dubai’s Deputy Ruler has announced a plan to boost Emiratisation in the private sector is being prepared.

The plan will be implemented in 100 days.

The Emirati Human Resources Development Council has been asked to develop the action plan.

The plan will outline measures to establish a wide range of partnerships with companies, organisations and free zone entities to improve the job prospects of UAE nationals in the private sector.

It will also include strategies to work with the education sector to link learning outcomes to job market requirements. The plan will also feature career guidance programmes for students in future-oriented sectors, in alignment with country’s long-term strategies.

The Council added they will be proposing new legislation, policies and initiatives to improve the employment opportunities for Emiratis in various sectors and align their skills with labour market requirements.

It was the Council’s first meeting following the issuing of Dubai Decree No. 27/2021.

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