Abu Dhabi Archives - Page 3 of 24 - LexisNexis Middle East

Abu Dhabi: AI-Powered Financial Crime Detection System Launches

26/09/202526/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 17 September 2025: A new artificial intelligence system designed to combat financial crime was unveiled, marking a significant advance in automated financial investigation capabilities.

The AI Investigator platform performs automated due diligence by analysing ownership structures, media coverage and regulatory documentation. The system can process millions of data points within minutes, dramatically reducing investigation times that traditionally took weeks.

The cloud-based technology employs behavioural analysis and pattern matching to identify potential criminal activity across multiple sectors including finance, real estate, professional services and government operations.

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News developments

UAE: Legal Experts Call For New Digital Media and AI Regulations

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Legal experts have highlighted the need for updated legislation to address challenges posed by digital media and artificial intelligence.

The seminars specifically addressed data protection and user rights in the digital space, alongside discussions about the opportunities and risks associated with AI deployment in digital media. Participants evaluated whether current legal frameworks provide adequate protection for personal data and user rights.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

ADGM: Updates Data Protection Rules for Insurance and Education

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The National, 16 September 2025: Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre has strengthened its data protection regulations with new amendments specifically targeting the insurance and education sectors.

The revised Data Protection Guidelines 2021 introduce ‘Substantial Public Interest Rules’, which establish clearer protocols for handling sensitive personal information.

Under the new regulations, insurers must follow specific procedures when processing special categories of personal data. The amendments include precise definitions of “insurance contract” and “insurance purpose” to ensure uniform implementation across the industry.

A key provision allows for processing sensitive personal data without consent in cases involving children or individuals at risk of harm. The rules extend protection to vulnerable adults aged 18 and above, once they meet specified criteria.

The guidelines define at-risk individuals as those requiring care and support, facing neglect or physical, mental or emotional harm, or unable to protect themselves from such risks.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Updates Internal Audit Rules for Public Entities

19/09/202519/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) has introduced revised internal audit regulations for entities under its supervision.

Key changes to the regulatory framework include: Implementation of continuous audits for financial and operational activities, Expanded role for internal audit units in selecting statutory auditors, New performance indicators for internal audit departments, Requirements for increased use of data analytics in audit procedures and New regulations governing the appointment of external audit firms.

The updated rules strengthen internal audit units’ involvement in monitoring audit outcomes and require the integration of digital tools in audit processes to enhance accuracy and effectiveness.

The revisions also establish new standards for appointing audit firms providing internal audit services to ADAA-supervised entities, with a specific focus on maintaining transparency and quality in audit results.

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News developments

UAE: Government Updates Free Zone Tax Rules and Price Reporting Guidelines

12/09/202512/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

The Finance Ministry has issued two new ministerial decisions that revise regulations for corporate tax activities in free zones and establish official price reporting mechanisms.

The first decision, Ministerial Decision No. 229/2025, replaces previous legislation and broadens the definition of qualifying commodity trading. The updated rules now encompass industrial chemicals, associated by-products, and environmental commodities, whilst also clarifying treasury and financing services regulations for related parties.

Key changes include the removal of the phrase “in raw form” from commodity trading requirements, allowing for expanded trading of metals, minerals, industrial chemicals, energy and agricultural commodities. These items must maintain a quoted price from recognised exchanges or approved price reporting agencies.

Another decision, Ministerial Decision No. 230/2025, provides an official list of recognised price reporting agencies, offering greater clarity for tax compliance.

The legislation also introduces new provisions for self-investment activities and clarifies rules regarding the distribution of goods from designated zones, particularly concerning transactions with public benefit entities.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Customs Introduces Priority Clearance for Trusted Food Products

10/09/202510/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 9 September 2025: Abu Dhabi has launched a new ‘Golden List’ system that will accelerate border entry procedures for food products with proven safety compliance records.

This initiative establishes expedited clearance for food items meeting specific criteria, including successful safety compliance on five consecutive shipments and proper health certification from origin countries.

Products qualifying for the list will receive priority pre-release clearance and bypass standard visual inspections and sampling requirements. Importers must submit applications through the Atlab platform 24 hours before shipment arrival.

The fast-track status will be immediately revoked if products fail to maintain compliance standards or receive safety notifications. Such items will then return to standard inspection protocols.

To qualify for the programme, importers must provide: Documentation of five consecutive compliant shipments, Valid health certificates from origin countries, Advance import applications and Complete pre-audit documentation.

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News developments

UAE: Fake Consumer Protection Websites

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 26 August 2025: The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection has warned of fake platforms charging consumers to resolve complaints.

The Society for Consumer Protection has issued a warning about suspicious and fraudulent websites, platforms, and social media pages which are misusing government logos and falsely claim to specialise in protecting consumers and safeguarding their rights. These fraudulent sites lure consumers into submitting complaints, then request fees for resolving them, or demand bank transfers and access to personal accounts.

The society has emphasised that it never charges any fees or accepts any payments for resolving consumer complaints. It has urged consumers if any entity that requests payment or asks for bank transfers to immediately refuse this, block the source, and report the matter to the relevant authorities.

The sites falsely claim to be official complaint-handling portals that help consumers recover their rights by reporting financial, commercial, or service-related violations.

According to the Society, these fake platforms have created counterfeit complaint forms resembling official ones, which require personal details such as name, phone number, and email address.

The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection is a recognised non-profit entity; its complaint services are completely free, and it never requests any payment or personal financial details from consumers.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Launches New Real Estate Advertisement Permit Service

28/08/202528/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Al Etihad, 22 August 2025: ADGM has introduced a new real estate advertisement permit service through its AccessRP platform, requiring mandatory permits for all property advertisements within its jurisdiction.

Key features of the new service include:

Mandatory permits for all real estate advertisements within ADGM jurisdiction
Integration with the AccessRP platform
Regulatory oversight of property marketing materials
Verification process for real estate listings

The implementation establishes a new regulatory framework for property advertisements, making it compulsory for all real estate marketing materials to obtain official permits before publication.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

UAE: New Employment Guide Details Worker Leave and Benefit Rights

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 17 August 2025: The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has released a detailed employer Guide outlining workers’ rights and leave entitlements under Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021.

It specifies seven categories of leave available to private-sector employees: annual, sick, study, parental, bereavement, national service, and maternity leave. Workers are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave for each year of service, while new parents can take five working days of leave within six months of their child’s birth.

Maternity provisions include 60 days of leave for female workers, with 45 days at full pay followed by 15 days at half pay. The guidance also details sick leave allowances of up to 90 days annually, structured as 15 days at full pay, 30 days at half pay, and the remainder unpaid.

Bereavement leave grants five days for the death of a spouse and three days for immediate family members. Educational support includes 10 working days of study leave for workers enrolled in UAE-accredited institutions.

The toolkit additionally clarifies end-of-service benefits, with expatriate workers entitled to 21 days’ basic wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for subsequent years, calculated on their final basic wage.

The document also addresses wage regulations, requiring payment in UAE dirhams unless otherwise specified, and outlines compensation requirements for public holiday work.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Introduces New Property Dispute Resolution System

22/08/202522/08/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 13 August 2025: Abu Dhabi has established a new framework for resolving off-plan property disputes through its Real Estate Centre (ADREC), offering an alternative to court proceedings.

The updated regulations allow property developers to request termination of Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs) through ADREC when buyers fail to meet their obligations. The process requires developers to follow specific procedures and timelines before any termination can be approved.

Under the new system, ADREC will verify that developers have complied with project completion schedules and confirm that buyers have received proper notification. Property buyers retain the right to pursue legal action through courts or arbitration if they contest ADREC’s decisions.

The centre emphasises that terminations will not be processed automatically. Each case will undergo review to ensure developers have followed regulatory requirements and adhered to approved project timelines.

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