LexisNexis Middle East

Bahrain: Parliament Approves Major Media Law Reform

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 26 October 2025: Bahrain’s Shura Council has approved a comprehensive new Press and Media Law.

The legislative introduced several significant changes to existing media regulations. A key reform removes prison sentences for publication-related offences, replacing them with financial penalties.

The new law establishes regulatory frameworks for digital and electronic media platforms, addressing modern communication channels previously not covered by existing legislation. It also implements enhanced legal protections for working journalists.

Once ratified by the King, the law will replace previous media regulations, introducing updated standards for both traditional and digital media operations. The legislation addresses contemporary media practices while maintaining professional standards for the industry.

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News developments

ADGM: Introduces Enhanced Regulatory Framework

30/10/202530/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

ADGM has implemented new Administrative Regulations for 2025, introducing comprehensive changes to its enforcement and regulatory procedures.

The updated framework establishes a two-tier system for handling contraventions based on their severity. It also consolidates the Authority’s investigative powers and introduces revised fine levels to better reflect the seriousness of different infractions.

Key changes include new emergency procedures for urgent cases and formal settlement agreement processes. The Authority’s chief executive can now deploy emergency measures when deemed necessary, while a structured settlement framework has been established for resolving disputes.

The regulations strengthen the Authority’s supervisory capabilities through enhanced information-gathering powers and enforcement mechanisms. These measures aim to ensure more efficient conclusion of supervisory and enforcement actions.

The new framework replaces previous commercial licensing regulations and associated rules, representing a complete overhaul of the existing system. It includes amendments to related commercial legislation to ensure consistency across all regulatory procedures.

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News developments

UAE: Cut Trademark Fees for Small Business Programme Members

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 21 October 2025: The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has announced a 50 per cent reduction in trademark fees for members of its National SME Programme, alongside a complete fee waiver for people of determination.

The ministry has established fees for 28 trademark services, including several new offerings. Key charges include AED2,250 for filing infringement complaints and AED7,500 for grievances against dismissed objections. Applications involving multiple categories will be charged separately for each category.

Seven new trademark services have been introduced, including geographical indication registration at AED6,500, one-day trademark examination at AED2,250, and international trademark conversion at AED400. The ministry has also consolidated renewal fees into four categories, ranging from AED5,750 for standard renewals to AED9,750 for late renewal of monitoring marks.

The ministry has implemented additional measures including a Geographical Indications system and participation in the Madrid Protocol since 2021, enabling local businesses to expand trademark protection internationally. A new one-day trademark initiative has also been launched to accelerate registration processes.

The fee reduction applies to all registered members of the National SME Programme, which supports UAE entrepreneurs in business development and sustainability.

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News developments

Sharjah: Cuts Property Rental Process to Minutes with Digital System

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 16 October 2025: Sharjah has implemented a new unified digital system that has transformed its property rental procedures from a multi-visit process to one that can be completed within minutes.

The integrated platform connects multiple government departments, including utilities, municipalities, and real estate authorities.

The digital integration has enabled residents to complete entire property-related processes through a single channel, eliminating the need for multiple office visits.

Twelve government service centres have fully transitioned to the digital platform, which includes an AI-powered chatbot providing instant support to users. The system also features a rainfall monitoring system using GIS technology for urban planning purposes.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Government Seeks Public Input on Procurement Law Changes

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Argaam, 20 October 2025: The Finance Ministry has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to government procurement regulations, running until October 22, 2025, focusing on contract termination procedures and guarantee confiscation rules.

The proposed changes target two specific articles within the government tenders and procurement executive regulation. It introduces new timelines for contract termination decisions and establishes formal procedures for handling final guarantee confiscations. It also outlines specific circumstances under which contracts may be terminated in the public interest.

Under the revised regulations, government entities must provide detailed documentation and seek approval from both the Finance Ministry and the Government Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority before terminating any contracts. The amendments establish a clearer framework for protecting both government and contractor interests during the termination process.

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News developments

Qatar: Approves New Law on International Treaties and Agreements

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Qatar Tribune, 16 October 2025: The Qatari Cabinet has approved new legislation governing the procedures for international treaties and agreements, alongside several bilateral cooperation deals with foreign nations.

The draft law establishes a comprehensive framework for managing international agreements. It outlines specific procedures for concluding treaties and defines the roles of various government authorities in the process.

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News developments

Oman: Opens Public Consultation on New Digital Systems Regulations

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Arabian Stories, 15 October 2025: Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a public consultation process seeking feedback on proposed regulations for digital systems and platforms in the telecommunications sector.

The consultation document outlines new controls for the development, testing, and operation of digital systems across the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. The proposal covers five key technical areas, including development environment controls, external support systems, database management, systems integration, and performance measurement.

Stakeholders and members of the public have been given a four-week window to submit their responses, with the consultation period closing on October 28 2025. The authority has created an online survey system to collect feedback through its official website.

The proposed regulations establish specific requirements for technical infrastructure and security protocols within the telecommunications sector. These include detailed guidelines for system development, testing procedures, and operational standards.

The consultation document addresses various aspects of digital systems management, with particular focus on infrastructure security and technical operations. The authority has published comprehensive details of the proposed controls on its website for public review.

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News developments

Kuwait: Approves New Laws on International Crimes and Missing Persons

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Arab Times, 15 October 2025: Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved two new draft laws addressing international crimes and the protection of missing persons.

The first decree-law establishes legal frameworks for prosecuting four major international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and acts of aggression.

The second law focuses on protecting missing persons and their families’ rights, including provisions for determining their fate and providing compensation.

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News developments

Dubai: Launches Major AI Initiatives to Boost Digital Infrastructure

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 19 October 2025: Dubai’s leadership has unveiled a comprehensive package of artificial intelligence projects, including a new infrastructure platform and acceleration taskforce, as part of the emirate’s latest digital advancement efforts.

At the heart of the new programme is an AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform, which provides government departments with a secure, integrated digital environment for AI development and deployment. The platform combines advanced infrastructure with ready-to-use smart services, designed to streamline the implementation of AI-driven solutions across public sector operations.

Alongside this, officials have established a new AI Acceleration Taskforce following discussions with Chief AI Officers from 27 government entities. The task force emerged from consultations led by the local Centre for Artificial Intelligence and aims to enhance coordination between various government departments in their AI adoption strategies.

The third major component is the Unicorn 30 Programme, which has been created with input from 80 local and international firms. This initiative sets out to support 30 promising startups in their journey to achieve billion-pound valuations whilst maintaining their headquarters in the emirate. The programme encompasses ten distinct initiatives focusing on areas such as financing, growth strategies, and governance frameworks.

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News developments

Bahrain: Introduces New Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins

24/10/202524/10/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Daily Tribune, 21 October 2025: The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has implemented new regulations for cash-backed stablecoins through its Stablecoin Issuance and Offering Module, establishing strict requirements for stablecoin operators, including mandatory 1:1 cash reserves and full liquidity provisions.

Under the new rules, stablecoins must be backed by recognised central bank currencies, such as the US dollar or Bahraini dinar, and will be subject to CBB supervision. The regulations also set comprehensive standards for governance, compliance, and financial disclosure, with direct redemption requirements for token holders.

The regulatory development comes as Bahrain engages in discussions with more than 50 financial and investment firms, many specialising in cryptocurrency operations. Earlier this year, the central bank granted its first Category 3 licence for digital asset trading, enabling services including brokerage, custody, storage, and crypto infrastructure.

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