LexisNexis Middle East

Ras Al Khaimah: Police Deploy AI‑Powered System to Anticipate Security Challenges

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 11 January 2026: Ras Al Khaimah Police have launched an AI‑driven smart system designed to anticipate security risks, enhance rapid response, and strengthen community safety.

Ras Al Khaimah Police unveiled a new integrated smart platform that uses artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to monitor emerging challenges and identify potential security risks across the emirate. According to officials, the system connects patrol units and surveillance cameras directly to operations rooms, enabling predictive analysis of hotspot areas and improving response times.

Acting Director‑General of Central Operations stated that the platform reflects a forward‑looking approach to policing by relying on data‑driven decision‑making and smart connectivity. Its applications are already visible in various initiatives across the emirate, including road‑safety programmes, deployment of smart and autonomous patrol vehicles, and early warning systems.

The system also integrates a suite of proactive smart services aimed at enhancing engagement with the public and supporting a community‑centred security model. By leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline operations and identify risks early, the initiative reinforces the Ministry of Interior’s strategic objectives for innovation‑led policing and more efficient service delivery.

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News developments

Qatar: Cabinet Approves Sweeping Reforms to Foreign Investment Law

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Times, 7 January 2026: Qatar has adopted major amendments to its foreign investment framework, aiming to attract greater non‑Qatari capital and boost private‑sector participation in the national economy.

The Cabinet stated it had examined and approved a draft law amending certain provisions of Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity on non‑Qatari capital in economic activity, with aims tied to attracting foreign investment and raising private‑sector GDP contribution under the Third National Development Strategy 2024‑2030. However, neither the Cabinet note nor related reportage specifies what provisions are being changed—such as ownership limits, sector eligibility, or listing rules.

Qatar Law No. 1/2019 regulation of the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in the Economic Activity is well‑documented and already permits up to 100% foreign ownership in many sectors (subject to exclusions), alongside incentives (e.g., tax and customs‑duty exemptions; repatriation rights). Any new amendment would therefore matter most where 2019 left boundaries—for example, excluded sectors or residual approvals. Without the draft text, it is impossible to confirm whether the reform adjusts these boundaries or simply streamlines processes.

Officials and earlier policy briefings suggest a broader reform programme (bankruptcy, PPP, and commercial registration), signalling that procedural simplification is also on the table (e.g., single‑window, automated tax IDs, wider activity lists). But the current Cabinet note remains high‑level and does not enumerate article‑by‑article changes.

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News developments

Kuwait: New Residency Law Aims to Modernise Labour Market

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 12 January 2026: Kuwait has introduced a new residency law designed to streamline work permits and enhance labour market flexibility as part of its economic modernisation agenda.

Kuwaiti government announced reforms under a new residency law that will simplify procedures for foreign workers and employers. The law seeks to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve transparency in employment contracts, and align residency rules with international best practices.

Officials stated that the changes aim to attract skilled talent, support private sector growth, and curb illegal employment practices. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that implementing regulations will follow, detailing compliance requirements for businesses and workers.

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News developments

DIFC: DFSA Implements Major Updates to Crypto Token Regulatory Framework

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

The Dubai Financial Services Authority has brought into force significant updates to its Crypto Token regulatory framework in strengthening market integrity and supporting innovation.

The DFSA announced that the updated framework follows its October 2025 consultation and marks a substantial evolution of the regime first introduced in 2022.

A central change has been the shift from DFSA‑led suitability assessments to firm‑led evaluations. Firms providing financial services involving crypto tokens must now determine—on a reasoned and documented basis—whether each token meets the DFSA’s suitability criteria. As part of this transition, the DFSA will no longer publish a list of Recognised Crypto Tokens. This change introduces greater industry responsibility while ensuring that firms develop structured assessment processes and maintain clear documentation supporting their determinations.

In addition to the new assessment model, the revised framework introduces enhanced investor‑protection measures, refined conduct and operational requirements, and proportionate reporting obligations aligned with current global digital‑asset market realities. These safeguards aim to ensure innovation in DIFC’s crypto ecosystem is matched with accountability, transparency and strong governance.

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News developments

Bahrain: Shura Council Set to Back Tougher Anti‑Financial Crime Law

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Digital News, 9 January 2026: Bahrain is preparing to strengthen its legal framework against money laundering and terrorism financing as the Shura Council moves to approve significant amendments to the kingdom’s anti‑financial crime legislation.

The Shura Council is expected to approve new amendments to its principal anti‑financial crime law during its upcoming 11 January session, according to the council’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee. The amendments, set out in Bahrain Decree‑Law No. 36/2025, overhaul provisions of Bahraini Laws on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (Bahrain Decree-Law No. 4/2001). The revision is driven by urgent national and international commitments designed to ensure stronger compliance with global financial‑crime standards.

The enhanced framework aims to combat illicit financial flows by modernising regulatory tools, increasing oversight mechanisms, and aligning the kingdom’s obligations with evolving international counter‑terrorism financing requirements.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Enhancement of Crisis Readiness with New Centre in Al Dhafra

15/01/202615/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 10 January 2026: Abu Dhabi has activated a new Coordination and Follow‑up Centre in the Al Dhafra region to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve on‑ground crisis response capabilities.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre (ADCMC) has launched a specialised crisis‑readiness hub in Al Dhafra, one of the emirate’s largest and most geographically diverse regions. The move expands ADCMC’s operational presence across remote and economically significant areas, improving the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.

Executive Director of the Response and Recovery Sector at ADCMC, emphasised that Al Dhafra’s geographical scale, environmental diversity and strategic economic role require a tailored approach to preparedness. The shift from a centralised model to a distributed capability structure brings crisis‑response assets closer to potential incident locations, ensuring faster decision‑making and stronger coordination during emergencies.

The Centre’s activation forms an additional pillar within Abu Dhabi’s broader emergency‑management ecosystem. By integrating spatial flexibility and institutional coordination, the initiative strengthens field readiness, enhances collaboration with local partners and provides a globally informed model for emergency, crisis and disaster management. ADCMC previously activated a similar centre in Al Ain, reflecting a continued expansion of region‑based readiness frameworks.

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News developments

UAE: New Civil Transactions Law

08/01/202608/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

A new Federal Decree-Law has been issued amending the Civil Transactions Law regime established by Federal Law No. 5/1985.

The aim has been to simplify legal provisions in this area, unify legal references, and eliminate duplication with recently enacted specialist laws. The law has established an advanced framework governing pre-contractual negotiations, requiring the disclosure of any fundamental information to ensure informed and conscious contractual decision-making. It also introduces a framework agreement to regulate recurring or long-term contractual relationships by predefining essential terms, reducing time and cost, and ensuring consistent legal reference for subsequent contracts.

There are also provisions governing sale contracts, including clearer regulation of sale by sample and by model, protection of those lacking full capacity in cases of gross inadequacy in real estate sales, and enhanced rules on latent defects. In addition, where no statutory rule exists, explicitly or implicitly, judges will be able to refer to Islamic Sharia principles and select the solution that best achieves justice and public interest based on the circumstances in each case, without being bound by a specific school of jurisprudence or a single Sharia doctrine. The law also provides for the application of Sharia principles where there is no specialist legislation on matters relating to people of unknown parentage, missing persons, and absentees.

It has also reorganised the rules on usufructuary construction rights, requiring registration of the contract with the competent authority and providing for nullity in the absence of registration. It has introduced provisions on the obligations of holders of these rights and allows parties to determine their duration. It also states that financial assets located within the UAE which belong to a foreigner with no heirs will be treated as a charitable endowment, supervised by the relevant authority. It has also introduced a new framework governing assignment, including the assignment of rights, and established provisions for the protection of possession through preventive actions which aim to halt new encroachments before harm occurs.

Other changes include an alteration of the age of majority, from 21 Hijri years to 18 Gregorian years, and a lowering of the age at which a minor may seek judicial authorisation to manage their assets from 18 Hijri years to 15 Gregorian years.

The new Law also permits the combination of blood money or assessed compensation with additional damages where death or injury results in material or moral harm which is not fully covered by blood money or assessed compensation. Corporate provisions have also been modernised and the law now distinguishes between civil and commercial companies based on activity and legal form, permits single person companies, regulates partner withdrawal, continuation of companies and liquidation procedures. A special framework has also been introduced for non-profit companies, as has a modern regime for professional companies.

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News developments

Sharjah: Government Plans New Rules to Organise EV Charging Stations

08/01/202608/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf Today, 7 January 2026: The Sharjah Executive Council discussed plans to regulate electric‑vehicle charging stations across the emirate to ensure safety, service quality and accessible infrastructure.

During a meeting chaired at the Ruler’s Office, the Sharjah Executive Council reviewed several governance and service‑development matters, including a proposal to introduce a regulatory framework for electric‑vehicle (EV) charging stations. The Council explained that the aim of the new rules would be to guarantee safe and high‑quality charging services, build a reliable and well‑planned EV‑charging network, and ensure that stations are monitored effectively to maintain reasonable pricing and equal access for all users.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Cabinet Approves Regulatory Frameworks for Four Special Economic Zones

08/01/202608/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

Asharq Al-Awsat, 2 January 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet approved regulatory frameworks for four Special Economic Zones, initiating a major step to bolster the Kingdom’s investment ecosystem.

In a decision on 2 January 2026, the Saudi Cabinet approved new regulations governing the special economic zones (SEZs) in Jazan, Ras Al-Khair, King Abdullah Economic City, and the Cloud Computing & Informatics Zone in Riyadh. The move marked the transition of these SEZs into their operational and legal phase, offering investors a clear roadmap on incentives, licensing regimes, and ownership flexibility.

Minister of Investment confirmed that the regulations will come into force in early April 2026, describing the approval as a major leap in developing the Kingdom’s regulatory ecosystem and enhancing global investment competitiveness in line with Vision 2030.

Each zone targets strategic sectors aligned with its regional strengths:

Jazan: a hub for food processing, mining, and manufacturing, leveraging its port and links to African markets.
Ras Al-Khair: a centre for maritime, shipbuilding, offshore rigs, and marine support.
King Abdullah Economic City: a logistics, high-value manufacturing, and automotive hub.
Cloud Computing & Informatics Zone (Riyadh): a data-driven economy zone, facilitating local data storage and processing by global tech firms.

The regulations include incentives like flexible licensing, tax and customs exemptions, streamlined operational procedures, foreign ownership rights, multilingual trade naming, and exemptions from select provisions of Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 678/1443 on the Approval of the Companies Law. Tailored Saudisation frameworks will align workforce policies to each zone’s economic activity, balancing local talent development with investor needs.

The unified governance model will provide clear mandates across government entities, accelerating licensing processes and ensuring a fast, flexible business environment. As a result, firms will have enhanced regulatory clarity and operational agility when entering or scaling within Saudi Arabia’s SEZs

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News developments

Ras Al Khaimah: Police Introduce Advanced Security Dome System to Boost Public Safety

08/01/202608/01/2026
by Hannah Gutang

UAE News, 7 January 2026: Ras Al Khaimah Police launched a new Integrated Security Dome System to enhance crime prevention, improve road safety and strengthen emergency response across the emirate.

The project represents one of Ras Al Khaimah’s largest security‑transformation initiatives. The system operates as a unified digital platform that integrates smart surveillance, real‑time monitoring and advanced data analytics, providing comprehensive visibility over roads, neighbourhoods and critical infrastructure. This allows the police to make faster and more informed decisions while identifying risks before they escalate.

A core aim of the initiative is to strengthen crime‑prevention capabilities by analysing behavioural patterns and trends, which will enable predictive policing and more efficient deployment of resources. The system will also enhance road safety management by monitoring traffic flow, detecting violations and identifying accident‑prone zones using advanced analytics.

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