The Jordanian Cabinet has approved a draft law amending the 2014 Income Tax Law, Jordan Law No 34/2014. The draft law aims to address income tax avoidance and evasion. It is also aimed at improving tax administration, enhancing the voluntary commitment of taxpayers and expanding the tax base. It will now be sent to Jordan’s Lower House for consideration in an extraordinary session.
Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority has announced it has issued the third version of the Class Licence for Short Range Devices. The issuing of the licence follows a public consultation in 2017 and will allow stakeholders to introduce new technologies and devices in the market. It will also allow them to prepare better for demands in the future. The new class licence includes new frequency bands for Short Range Devices for a wide range of M2M applications and a separate section for wireless access systems which includes radio local area network and radio microphone applications. It also includes the corresponding authorised frequency ranges and the maximum allowed output power. Anyone who gets this licence will be able to possess, install and operate for their personal use the approved class of devices at prescribed frequencies without having to apply for one. Those who are using them for non-commercial purposes will not have to pay licence or spectrum fees, but if they are using them for commercial purposes they will need to obtain import and type approvals from the Authority.
This week the spotlight is firmly on the UAE where the long-awaited and much anticipated Arbitration Law has been published. Federal Law No. 6/2018 on Commercial Arbitration has not yet been Gazetted but it has been priority requested from our publishing partners, SADER Legal Publishing and we will keep you updated on its progress. The Law will replace the arbitration provisions in Federal Law No. 11/1992. We have been delighted to include analysis of this important legislative development from Afridi & Angell, Al Tamimi & Company and Hogan Lovells and their insights can be viewed under the Commentary section of Lexis Middle East Law (www.lexismiddleeast.com).
Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Tawfik Alrabiya has announced a new patient strategy centre for following up on medical mistakes has been established. The aim is improve procedures in this area. Alrabiya added the Health Ministry is looking to reduce the number of medical mistakes by developing and improving the relevant authorities to help document and treat cases quickly.
Dubai’s Airport Free Zones Authority has launched two initiatives. The first, Dubai Blink will provide the first digital platform for free zones who use artificial intelligence and Blockchain for trading between companies and enterprises. The second initiative will see the first financial market especially for free zones created. The initiatives are part of the Dubai 10X initiative which was launched by HRH Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum in February.
This week the spotlight is on legal and regulatory developments in Kuwait where the Finance Ministry has announced it has established a special committee to implement VAT in the country. PricewaterhouseCoopers have also confirmed their officials helped the Ministry draft the VAT Law. Together with PWC, the Investment Companies Union has invited all relevant parties to a conference on Problems and Best Practices on Implementing VAT. At the conference, the Taxation and Planning Manager at the Finance Ministry Osama Al-Qassar said VAT will be introduced after a six to twelve month grace adjustment period. The Ministry has also met with various sectors to get their suggestions and opinions on the proposed legislation.
Elsewhere, the country’s Manpower Authority and the Residency Directorate of the Interior Ministry have announced absconders will be able to legalise their status. Alternatively they can leave the country without paying any fines. The offer of legalisation applies to those who entered the country between 3 January 2016 and 22 April 2018. Some exemptions will be made for citizens’ spouses and children and foreign founding partners of companies.
Dubai’s Health Authority has issued a Circular banning all surgical filming in health care facilities in the Emirate. The Director of Health Regulation at the Health Authority, Dr Marwan Al Mulla said the Circular has been issued following an increase in people who aren’t allowed to be in theatres filming surgery to air live on social media channels. These activities can affect health professional’s concentration during surgery and violates infection control laws. Anyone who violates the Circular will be guilty of violating a patient’s privacy and even if the patient says they can enter they will not be able to.
The Director General of Saudi Arabia’s General Department of Traffic Director General, Mohammed al-Bassami has announced the female driving ban will be lifted from next month. From 24 June, women will be allowed to drive in the Kingdom. Women over 18 will be allowed to apply for a driver’s licence and women with foreign driving licences will be able to apply for a local one separately following an assessment of their driving ability. Driving schools for women have been set up across five cities in the country. Learner drivers will be taught by men and women, some of whom obtained their licenses abroad.
This week the spotlight is on legal and regulatory developments in Bahrain, where the Shoura Council has approved the bankruptcy law. A member of the Council’s Financial Committee, Darwish Almanaie said the aim of the legislation is to remedy some of the shortcomings of the existing bankruptcy law. Another Committee member, Sadeq Rahma said the law has been approved because it includes new provisions which are in line with updated laws and regulations and the requirements of commercial businesses. The law is expected to update bankruptcy procedures and establish a law for financial restructuring for enterprises and companies who will be subject to it. The law also regulates cross-border restructuring and bankruptcy procedures.
Elsewhere, the Public Utilities and Environment Committee of Bahrain’s Shoura Council has approved a draft law which would establish a public food safety body. The Food Authority would have its own legal personality and have administrative and financial independence. The Food Control Section of the Health Ministry is currently responsible for the safety of food produced or imported in to the country. The Health, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning Ministries as well as the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry all approved the draft law.
Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council has refused recommendations to facilitate the purchase of largest share of Aramco by Saudi nationals. The proposal called for 50% of the total number of shares to be allocated to Saudis only to maximise the country’s wealth. Council members refused to support the proposal because the listing of this volume of shares is the largest public listing in terms of financial value and the local market will not be enough to accommodate it. It is therefore important to include foreign investors.
