LexisNexis Middle East

Egyptian Data Protection Law Approved

26/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Egypt’s President has approved the Personal Data Protection Law. Egypt Law No. 151/2020 will promote the security of personal data, which is being processed and stored online. It also sets a legal framework to regulate data transmission with other countries. The draft law was approved by the country’s House of Representatives in February. It prohibits the collecting of or processing individuals’ data or spreading them without the permission of the relevant individuals, except in specific cases. It will apply to Egyptians in the country and expatriates. It will be also enforced on non-Egyptians in and outside Egypt as long as the data belong to Egyptian citizens or foreigners staying inside Egypt. Those who violate the Law will be jailed for up to one year and fined between 100,000 and one million Egyptian Pounds.

A Personal Data Protection Centre will be established and will be responsible for protecting personal data and regulating its availability and processing. A Controller or processor of data will have to inform the Centre of any personal data protection breaches within 72 hours of identifying it. Where the breach affects national security, data controllers and processors must notify the Centre within 24 hours and national security authorities.

They will also be responsible for developing strategic plans, policies and programmes to protect personal data and will have to work with all the relevant Government and non-Government bodies to execute protection measures.

It will consist of representatives from the Justice and Foreign Affairs Ministries, the General Intelligence Service and the Administrative Control Authority. It will have three members who will be chosen by the relevant Minister. In terms of cross-border personal data protection, it is prohibited to carry out transfers, storage, or sharing of personal data which was collected or prepared for processing to a foreign country unless there is a level of protection which is line with the requirements of the law and it will have to be licensed or authorised by the Personal Data Protection Centre.

News developments

Kuwait: E-trade Licenses Could be Issued

25/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Kuwait’s Commerce and Industry Ministry is considering issuing e-trade licenses. The license would allow those who have it to sell or promote products or auction watches, jewellery, gems or cars, among other things online. The e-trade license would be similar to normal licenses. They will be able to be issued to one person and they do not need to have a premises. The aim is to tackle money laundering online.

News developments

Bahrain: First Renewable Energy Certificate Issued

25/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Following directives from Bahrain’s Government Executive Committee, the President of the Sustainable Energy Authority has announced the first Renewable Energy Certificate has been issued. The aim is to enhance the use of renewable energy in the Kingdom and it has been issued as part of the phased implementation of the renewable energy certification programme. The programme will use Blockchain solutions to ensure transparency and enable the tracking and verification of every certificate issued to each system registered in the programme to prevent electronic breaches. It will allow producers to directly record the productivity of the renewable energy systems they own on the platform so the Authority can verify the amount of energy produced and approve it through a Renewable Energy Certificate. The Certificate will be issued electronically for every 1 megawatt hour produced and approved by the Authority. Producers of renewable energy will also be able to offer renewable energy certificates for sale to those looking to invest in renewable energy and benefit from certificates to overcome the challenges preventing them from producing renewable energy themselves. It will enable investors and financing institutions to evaluate investment opportunities, finance sustainable energy projects and verify energy output produced through reliable and approved programmes and tools.

News developments

Abu Dhabi Global Market Issues Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Exemptions) Order 2020

25/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Abu Dhabi Global Market Board have issued the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Exemptions) Order 2020. The Order grants an exemption from commercial licensing for certain classes of entities which are licensed in the UAE, outside the Global Market. The exemption applies in particular to temporary service providers in transportation like scooter rentals, delivery services and pick up or drop off services.

News developments

Qatar: Commercial Stores Decision Amended

24/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to amend Qatar Decision No. 70/2006 on commercial shops in residential areas. It was proposed by the country’s Trade and Industry Minister. The Council also considered a report from the committee for regulating the ownership of properties by non-Qatari nationals. The committee is responsible for suggesting areas where non-Qatari nationals can own property and the rules and conditions for their ownership.

News developments

Saudi Arabia: Company Law Amendments Being Considered

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The General Director for Systems and Companies Policies in Saudi Arabia’s Trade Ministry has announced the new companies law will allow new types of companies to be established. This will include simple joint stock companies who will have the characteristics of a joint stock company but will have flexibility in capital formation and issuing new types of shares. There will be also other types of companies. This will include two parties where one is a joint partner who will be personally responsible for their money and another who is a shareholder.

News developments

Qatar: New Qatarisation Platform to be Launched

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Development Affairs at Qatar’s Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry has announced a new Qatarisation platform is going to be launched. It will allow Qataris looking for jobs to identify available jobs. It will also allow private companies to place vacant and required jobs. It is aimed at implementing a draft decision to raise the proportion of Qataris to 60% in State-owned companies or which the State contributes to as well as other entities subject to the Retirement and Pension Law.

News developments

Kuwait: Government to Pay Reduced Private Sector Salaries

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Health and Social Affairs Committee of Kuwait’s Parliament has approved the draft labour law to address the effects of Coronavirus. It came into force on 12 March 2020. The Committee’s Chairman said those affected by the anti-Coronavirus measures including those who had to completely or partially stop their business can agree with employees to reduce their salaries throughout the suspension period up to 50% of the salary. This will not affect the minimum limit for salaries. He also explained the Government will be responsible for paying the difference in the salary between what the employer is able to pay and the actual salary of the Kuwaiti employee. The aim is to ensure nationals are paid their full salaries. He said for example if a Kuwaiti employee’s salary is 1000 Dinars and their salary was reduced to 500 Dinars, the State will pay the other 500 Dinars so they get a full salary. The law allows employers to give their employees special leave with a reduced salary provided the minimum limit of the salary is at least 30% during the suspension period. Employers are expected to notify the Labour Ministry regarding the agreements concluded with the employees with the terms set by the Ministerial Decision.

News developments

Bahrain: Reorganisation and Bankruptcy Law Amendments Issued

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Bahrain’s King has issued Bahrain Decree-Law No. 25/2020 amending Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 on reorganisation and bankruptcy. Under the amendments, Article 19 of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 has been amended to read ‘The debtor and the creditor and every other party that has interest in the case has the right to participate in the bankruptcy procedures and in obtaining, from the court of the bankruptcy trustee, the information related to the debtor’s business and his financial affairs and the taken procedures and the measures and that is all pursuant to the provisions of the law’. Article 30(b) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018, Article 33(a) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 and Article 33(b) of Bahrain Law No. 22/2018 have also been amended. The Prime Minister and relevant Ministers will be responsible for enforcing the Decree-Law which will come into force on the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Weekly Spotlight

UAE: Identity and Citizenship Decisions Approved

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The UAE’s Cabinet has approved various identity and citizenship amendments. The decisions include suspending the decisions related to the residency of expatriates, visas, entry permits and identity cards valid from 11 July 2020.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has been authorised to start collecting the fees owed for services it provides from 12 July 2020. The Cabinet also approved a one-month grace period for UAE nationals and GCC nationals and residents who have spent less than six months abroad to renew their documents.