Bahrain: Adopts Timeshare Bill To Regulate Property Ownership

The Daily Tribune, 3 May 2024: The Council of Representatives have unanimously approved a 36-article draft law, following the recommendation of its Committee on Services.

This law aims to regulate activities related to timeshare properties. A timeshare is like a type of vacation home shared among a group of buyers who each own a portion of it.

Under this arrangement, the property’s cost is divided among the owners, and each owner gets a set period of time to stay there every year.

Timeshares usually consist of smaller living spaces within a larger resort area.

The bill allows for more flexibility in issuing contracts and provides increased versatility in contractual arrangements among stakeholders.

It also establishes legal protections to uphold the rights of all parties involved and clearly outlines their responsibilities.

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Bahrain: Shura Council Approves Law To Curb AI Abuse

The Daily Tribune, 29 April 2024: The Shura Council has ratified a report from the Committee on Legislative and Legal Affairs endorsing a draft law which will regulate AI technology and its uses.

According to the committee, proposed penalties include a maximum fine of BD2,000 for individuals who program, process, or introduce AI in a way that violates individual freedom, invades the sanctity of private life, or undermines societal traditions.

Other penalties will include imprisonment and a fine ranging from BD5,000 to BD2,000 for individuals who design software or technology that promotes division among people.

The penalties will extend to those who manipulate official statements and create malicious fake visual and audio content.

The proposed law also ensures that those harmed by the use of artificial intelligence will have a right to request compensation for the damage they have suffered.

This law holds the owner of the robot or programmed machine responsible for the compensation of any damage caused by AI.

The Artificial Intelligence Unit will be given the authority to impose administrative penalties on licensed violators, ranging from a warning to license withdrawal and progressive administrative fines based on the severity of the violation.

The law also details criminal penalties.

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Bahrain: Compensation for Weather Damage

Alwatan, 18 April 2024: The Rain Damage Evaluation Committee at the Works Ministry has released a form which can be filed for compensation requests for rainwater and sewage damage.

This form relates to issues involved with the Works Ministry or contractors handling road and sewage projects. Information required includes the applicant’s name, address of the damaged house, phone number, date and details of the damage, and the estimated cost to fix the damage.

Applicants must also provide pictures, or video clips verifying the damage, along with repair invoices, property ownership documents, and the owner’s card. In the case of car damage claims, ownership and insurance documents are also required.

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Bahrain: Proposed Healthcare Law Changes

The Daily Tribune, 16 April 2024: The Bahrain’s Shura Council’s Services Committee has discussed a proposal to amend certain provisions of Bahrain Decree-Law No. 21/2015 on private health institutions.

The proposed legislation aims to safeguard the rights of Bahraini doctors to establish private clinics, medical centres, medical complexes, alternative medicine centres or other healthcare facilities. The legislation will also allow them to practice in conjunction with other areas by supporting other medical professional.

Previously, specialist medical institutions could only be established by Bahraini doctors who were licensed to practice medicine or dentistry within Bahrain, with exceptions for rare medical specialties. However, licenses to establish hospitals are now granted to individuals, companies, or foreign medical institutions.

In the proposed law, individuals aiming to establish a health institution, along with their partners, must have a clean criminal record but exceptions are made for those who have undergone rehabilitation or received a pardon from relevant authorities. In addition, the proposal will allow heirs of the licensee to continue operating the institution, provided it is managed by a Bahraini general physician or consultant in line with the facility’s license. These designated professionals would assume responsibility for all technical and administrative aspects of the institution. Heirs are also allowed to retain the institution’s name if it bears the name of the deceased founder.

The proposed law also grants authority to the National Authority for Regulating Health Professions and Services to implement a national accreditation program for health institutions.

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Bahrain: Industrial Zones Tender

Gulf Daily News, 27 March 2024: Bahrain’s Industry and Commerce Ministry has announced investment opportunities in industrial zones in the Kingdom.

The initiative has been launched with the Tender Board.

It aims to develop essential facilities through public-private partnerships. This includes workers’ housing, a petrol station and service and commercial support areas.

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Bahrain: Private Sector Will Offer Small Vessel Inspections

Gulf Daily News, 25 March 2024: The Ship Registration and Seafarers’ Director of Bahrain’s Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry, Mayas Al Agha has announced the private sector will offer small vessel inspections.

The sector will be responsible for inspecting small vessels weighing less than 150 tonnes.

They made the announcement during the latest Shoura Council meeting.

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Bahrain: Gulf Air on Brink of Being Privatised

Bahrain Daily Tribune, 23 March 2024: Bahrain’s House of Representatives is going to consider a report from a Parliamentary Committee on Gulf Air’s future in its upcoming session.

The Committee has suggested privatisation is the best way for the company to return to profit.

The Committee is responsible for overseeing Gulf Air’s affairs and has been reviewing them since November 2023.

It launched its investigation after reports about the company’s financial stability. The national airline is struggling with growing financial issues.

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Bahrain: Decree Implementing Protection of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law Issued

Gulf Daily News, 27 February 2024: A Decree issuing the Implementing Regulations to the Protection of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law has been issued.

Bahrain Royal Decree No. 18/2024 names the administrative body and minister responsible for implementing Bahrain Law No. 22/2006.

Under the Decree, the Information Ministry is the administrative authority responsible for implementing the Law.

The Information Minister will be the Minister with responsibility for implementing the Law.

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