United Arab Emirates Archives - Page 2 of 65

Abu Dhabi: Introduces Insurance Coverage for Autonomous Vehicles

14/11/202514/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 10 November 2025: Abu Dhabi has established an insurance framework for self-driving vehicles operating within the city.

The Advanced Technology Research Council revealed that insurance coverage for unmanned vehicles was secured within a week, enabling autonomous cargo vehicles to operate legally on city streets. The implementation followed a 45-day testing period during which vehicles underwent extensive field trials and gradual pilot programmes across different zones of the city.

The new insurance framework addresses one of the primary challenges in deploying autonomous transport systems, which has been a significant hurdle both locally and internationally.

The Smart and Autonomous Systems Council continues to develop regulations for the autonomous ecosystem, with plans to expand the framework for future technological developments, including flying taxis slated for introduction in the near future.

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News developments

UAE: Mandates Laboratory Testing under Sugar-Based Drinks Tax

07/11/202507/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 29 October 2025: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has outlined new requirements for beverage producers and importers ahead of a tiered sugar tax implementation planned for early 2026.

Under the new system, manufacturers must obtain Accredited Conformity Certificates verifying the sugar content of their products. The certification process requires laboratory testing from approved facilities to determine precise sugar levels per 100 millilitres.

The tax structure will feature four distinct categories: drinks with 8g or more sugar per 100ml: highest tax rate, drinks containing 5-8g sugar per 100ml: moderate tax rate, beverages with less than 5g sugar per 100ml: lower tax rate and sugar-free drinks with artificial sweeteners: zero tax.

Products without proper certification will automatically be classified in the highest tax bracket until laboratory results prove otherwise.

The new framework will apply to all beverages containing added sugars or sweeteners, including concentrates, powders, and gels. Natural sugar-only drinks will be exempt from the tax, while energy drinks will maintain their current 100% excise rate.

Businesses can now apply for certification through the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s online platform. Acceptable test results must come from laboratories accredited by recognised bodies such as the Emirates National Accreditation System or those certified under ISO/IEC 17025.

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News developments

Abu Dhabi: Economic Licence Renewal Fees Waived for Long-Expired Permits

07/11/202507/11/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Khaleej Times, 31 October 2025: Abu Dhabi authorities have announced a fee exemption scheme for investors holding economic licences that expired more than three years ago, with the first phase targeting permits that lapsed before 2010.

The initiative allows affected licence holders to complete renewals throughout November 2025 without incurring late fees.

Under current regulations, licences left unrenewed are transferred to an expired registry and face potential revocation after three years of inactivity.

The scheme enables investors to regularise their expired permits during the designated grace period, avoiding standard penalties for late renewal.

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News developments

UAE: Tax Authority Launches AI Tools to Modernise Tax Services

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

Khaleej Times, 22 October 2025: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has implemented new artificial intelligence systems to enhance its tax administration services across the United Arab Emirates, including two primary AI platforms: an internal system for staff and an upgraded public-facing service for taxpayers.

The authority has introduced FTAGPT, an AI-powered internal system designed to provide FTA staff with immediate responses to queries about VAT, Excise Tax, and Corporate Tax legislation. The tool primarily supports call centre staff and employees who interact directly with taxpayers.

Simultaneously, the FTA has enhanced TARA, its existing AI platform for taxpayers, accessible through the authority’s official website. The upgraded system now includes comprehensive information about Corporate Tax, introduced in 2023, and allows users to check application status and submit queries about tax legislation.

Director of the Taxpayer Services Department, confirmed that the system has been expanded to handle inquiries about Corporate Tax returns and reconsideration cases related to fines. The authority has also implemented predictive AI capabilities to identify common filing errors and send preventative guidance to taxpayers.

The UAE’s current tax framework encompasses three main taxes: a 5% Value Added Tax, Excise Tax on specific products ranging from 50% to 100%, and Corporate Tax with rates of 0% on profits up to AED 375,000 and 9% above this threshold.

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News developments

Ras Al Khaimah: Bans Hunting Equipment in New Wildlife Protection Measure

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

Ras Al Khaimah’s Executive Council has implemented Resolution No. 18/2025, introducing comprehensive restrictions on hunting equipment throughout the emirate.

The new legislation prohibits the manufacture, import, trade, sale, possession and use of devices designed to attract birds, wild animals, and marine creatures. The Environment Protection & Development Authority will oversee the implementation and enforcement of these regulations.

The resolution establishes a framework for penalties against violations and aligns with existing federal environmental protection laws. It specifically targets unauthorised hunting methods that could affect local wildlife populations.

Under the new measures, the Authority will coordinate with relevant government bodies to monitor compliance and enforce the restrictions. The resolution introduces specific fines for violations, though the exact amounts have not been disclosed in the announcement.

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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

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

Ajman: Launches New Digital Payment Services and Interest-Free Instalment Options

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

Kuwait Citizen, 16 October 2025: The Department of Finance in Ajman has unveiled two major payment innovations introducing local smart payment services through the ‘Jaywan’ card system and a new interest-free payment instalment scheme.

The department has integrated the UAE Central Bank’s ‘Jaywan’ national payment card with the ‘AjmanPay’ platform, offering residents an alternative to international payment networks. This card system provides comprehensive payment capabilities across ATMs, e-commerce platforms, and point-of-sale terminals.

Alongside this, the department has implemented a ‘Get it done now and pay later’ service, enabling customers to split government fee payments into monthly instalments without interest charges. The service also includes an option to defer payments for a specified period.

The department also showcased its new ‘Estidama system’ Smart Financial System at the exhibition. This cloud-based platform integrates four modules managing budgeting, initiatives, financial execution, and reporting for government operations.

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