LexisNexis Middle East

Qatar: Penal Code Amendments Approved

22/01/202422/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Al-Sharq, 17 January 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft law amending Qatar Law No. 11/2004 (the Penal Code).

They have referred it to the Shoura Council to consider. The Cabinet also approved a draft law amending Qatar Law No. 7/2005 (the Qatar Financial Centre Law).

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Dress Code Regulations Introduced for Health Ministry Medical Staff

18/01/202418/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Gazette, 16 January 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry has announced it has introduced new dress code regulations for its medical staff. Under the regulations, employees must be well dressed. They must appear decent and be well-suited to public etiquette.

They should avoid wearing pyjamas and men should avoid wearing shorts. Inappropriate clothes with offensive connotations or drawings should not also be worn.

Strange hairstyles should be avoided as well and personal hygiene standards should be maintained.

Women should wear opaque head coverings and not wear tight, open, or short clothes.

They should also not wear chains or slogans or excessive makeup, manicures, nails, and perfumes.

Any coats they wear should be wide and come down to their knee.

Official work clothes should not be worn in public places during breaks or outside working hours.

In addition, clothing must be modest and non-transparent and must be worn during work hours.

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News developments

UAE: Cyber Security Council Issues Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets Fraud Warning

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

The UAE Government’s Cyber Security Council has warned of the dangers of fraud in cryptocurrencies.

The Council said they constitute a cross-border threat that requires dealers to be vigilant.

They added the risks of these fraudulent activities extend beyond financial loss.

They also put personal privacy at risk and threaten the fundamental trust on which the cryptocurrency market depends.

They went on to say data and studies recently released highlight these risks and the regulatory measures being taken in light of growing concerns about fraud in digital currencies and the consequences.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Saudi Arabia: Unified E-code Service Launched

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Saudi Gazette, 14 January 2024: The Saudi Business Centre has announced it has launched the first phase of a Unified Electronic Code service.

The data of commercial registrations will be linked with municipal licences, tax certificates and civil defence permits at the Unified Electronic Code.

The service has been launched to provide the latest and most reliable electronic data of establishments and address the issue of clutter caused by establishments having to display their primary data certificates at their premises and branches.

It also aims to reduce the time spent in control and inspection operations.

It has been launched together with the Commerce Ministry, the Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry and the Housing Ministry, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the General Directorate of Civil Defence.

Subsequent phases will cover all operational data and licences.

Business owners will be able to access the Unified Electronic Code service via the platform of the Saudi Business Centre easily.

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News developments

Qatar: Proposal to Amend Anti-money Laundering Law Approved

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Qatar Tribune, 10 January 2024: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the country’s Anti-money Laundering Law.

The amendments relate to Qatar Law No. 20/2019.

The Cabinet has also approved the draft third national development strategy for 2024 to 2030.

In addition, the Cabinet decided to take the appropriate measures to ratify an agreement between Qatar and Egypt on the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.

Finally, the Cabinet decided to take the appropriate measures to ratify a draft agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs matters between Qatar and Vietnam.

Also reported in Raya on 11 January 2024. For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Oman: Liquidity Provider Service Launched

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Oman Daily Observer, 14 January 2024: The Muscat Stock Exchange has announced the launch of a liquidity provider service.

The service enables the daily presentation of buying and selling offers with a spread of approximately 2% between asking price and bid.

It has been launched as part of the Exchange’s Market Making Initiative and has been launched together with the National Programme for Financial Sustainability.

The Exchange’s CEO said the service has been launched to create liquidity for selected and agreed-upon stocks.

The launch of the service will help the Exchange become an emerging exchange by meeting the essential requirements.

The Exchange is currently working with listed companies, specifically with significant market capitalisation, to provide the service.

There are plans to establish dedicated funds to improve liquidity in the coming days as well.

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News developments

Kuwait: Automatic Prescription Directives Issued

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Kuwait Times, 14 January 2024: Kuwait’s Health Minister has issued automatic prescription directives.

Under the directives, prescription data for prescribed medicines dispensed by private sector pharmacies will be linked.

An electronic system for the Health Ministry will be established between the Assistant Undersecretary for Drug and Food Control Affairs and the Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Health Affairs.

The system will help link all prescription data for prescribed medicines and preparations dispensed by private sector pharmacies.

The medicines inspection department will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the regularity of prescription registrations for medicines by private sector pharmacies in the electronic system.

All private sector pharmacies licensed to trade in prescribed medicine and regulate their circulation must register with the system in line with the specified conditions and procedures.

They must also create a dedicated account for each private pharmacy in the electronic system. The pharmacy licence holder and the pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy will be jointly responsible for all prescription data uploaded to the pharmacy’s account.

The pharmacist in charge must ensure that prescription data for prescribed medicines and preparations meet all the necessary conditions outlined in the prescriptions for these substances and the procedures for their circulation, in line with Ministerial Decisions, before dispensing to the patient.

They must also register and upload each prescription of the substances and preparations dispensed in the pharmacy to the electronic system.

In addition, they must verify that prescriptions received by the pharmacy are issued by doctors registered in the Ministry’s electronic system. No prescriptions may be dispensed unless they meet the required conditions.

They must download the prescription onto the electronic system after dispensing to ensure clarity as well.

A photocopy in PDF format should be created. This should contain the pharmacist’s seal and the pharmacy’s seal and be stored with the original copy in the pharmacy.

The data should match the records in the pharmacy’s register of prescribed medicines and preparations.

This process must be completed on the same date as the dispensing of the prescription.

The pharmacy licence holder and the pharmacist responsible for dispensing the prescription must be legally accountable for all prescription data uploaded to the pharmacy’s account in the electronic system.

Licences, permits and approvals for these pharmacies will not be issued or renewed in the event of non-compliance with the directives.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Hazardous Materials Management Centre Established

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Arabian Business, 13 January 2024: Abu Dhabi’s Ruler has authorised the establishment of a Hazardous Materials Management Centre.

It will report to the Abu Dhabi Police and will be responsible for controlling hazardous materials in the Emirate.

It will also be responsible for developing an integrated environment to improve the effective management of hazardous materials across the Emirate and aligning with the best global practices.

In addition, it will be responsible for ensuring implementation of the highest community and environmental safety and protection measures.

It will be responsible for developing and implementing general policies and strategic plans to ensure integrated application of regulations and standards related to hazardous materials across the Emirate too.

It will also be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the activities of various relevant local sectors and entities that handle and manage hazardous materials and ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation.

It will be responsible for establishing a dedicated central operations room to track and monitor hazardous materials and developing mechanisms for the management of confiscated hazardous materials to ensure safe handling and secure storage until final disposal as well.

It will also be responsible for creating and developing a dedicated electronic system to allow self-disclosure and reporting of all hazardous materials-related data in the Emirate and developing a database for hazardous materials.

Finally, it will be responsible for conducting scientific studies and research on hazardous materials, together with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

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News developments

Bahrain: Employers Will Have to Recruit More Disabled People

17/01/202417/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 15 January 2024: Bahrain’s Shoura Council has approved amendments to the 2006 People with Disabilities Care, Rehabilitation and Employment Law, requiring employers in the public and private sectors to recruit more disabled people.

Under the amendments, employers with 50 or more employees will have to double their recruitment quota for disabled people from 2% to 4%.

The Labour Minister should also issue a Decree specifying the nature of roles and responsibilities for disabled people.

The aim is to help employers establish a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

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News developments

Ajman: New Free Zone to be Established

16/01/202416/01/2024
by Tanya Jain

Arabian Business, 14 January 2024: Ajman’s Ruler has issued an Emiri Decree to establish a new free zone in the Emirate.

Ajman Emiri Decree No. 15/2023 establishes the Ajman Centre for New Projects (Free Zone).

It will report to the government and will have its own legal personality as well as financial and administrative independence.

It will have legal capacity to achieve its objectives and exercise its powers and duties.

The Centre will be responsible for improving the Emirate’s position as a leading investment destination, attracting more foreign investment across various economic activities and helping to develop its capacity as a developed hub for global trade.

It will also be responsible for contributing to boosting the Emirate’s sustainable economic diversification and growth by encouraging all types of economic and investment projects.

In addition, it will be responsible for creating a flexible and conducive investment climate for creative and innovative projects.

They have also issued Ajman Emiri Decree No. 1/2024 appointing Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi as the Centre’s Chairman.

Both Emiri Decrees will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force on their issued date.

Also reported in Al Bayan on 15 January 2024. Click here to read more.

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