United Arab Emirates Archives - Page 3 of 63

UAE: Cabinet Approves Regional Industry Clusters and New Cybersecurity Policies

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

Khaleej Times, 17 September 2025: UAE government has approved a series of significant policy measures, including a new economic clusters initiative and comprehensive cybersecurity reforms.

The National Policy for Economic Clusters will establish industry-specific zones across the emirates, focusing on financial services, tourism, space, communications, and food sectors.

The Cabinet also endorsed new cybersecurity policies introducing unified information security standards and enhanced monitoring systems. The framework includes measures for risk management and rapid response protocols.

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News developments

UAE (Ras Al Khaimah): New Food Safety Monitoring Programme Launched for Home-Based Food Businesses

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

Khaleej Times, 20 September 2025: Local authorities have implemented a new food control programme to regulate safety standards for home-based food businesses in Ras Al Khaimah.

The programme establishes a risk-based regulatory framework that includes a comprehensive manual outlining minimum health and safety requirements specific to home licences. Field inspections will be conducted using a risk assessment system, with a graduated approach to enforcement starting with warnings before proceeding to fines.

The Food Control Department Director explained that the programme operates under current federal and local legislation, with clear roles defined for both regulators and licence holders.

The new regulatory system aims to ensure compliance while supporting the growth of home-based food enterprises through education and structured guidance. Officials have confirmed that enforcement will follow a staged approach, prioritising education and warnings before implementing penalties.

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News developments

Dubai: Introduces Direct Debit System for Property Service Charges

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

Khaleej Times, 18 September 2025: Dubai property owners can now pay their community service charges through the UAE Central Bank’s Direct Debit System (UAEDDS), offering an automated alternative to traditional payment methods.

The new system allows homeowners to set up recurring payments directly from their bank accounts or via credit and debit cards.

The paperless payment system operates under the UAE Central Bank’s regulatory framework, eliminating the need for cheques and physical documentation.

Property owners can access the service through Itihad Community Management, which has integrated the Central Bank’s direct debit infrastructure into its payment systems.

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News developments

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

Sharjah: Approves New Government Data Sharing Framework

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

Sharjah’s Executive Council has approved a comprehensive guide for government data sharing, establishing standardised procedures for information exchange between local authorities.

The new framework includes: Standardised processes for inter-departmental data sharing, Protocols for external data requests, Data classification guidelines, Risk management procedures, Governance standards for data usage and Template documents for unified procedures.

The guide specifically addresses: Data exchange between local government entities, Procedures for requesting information from external bodies, Data classification systems and Quality control measures.

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News developments

Dubai: Sets New Building Design Standards for National Housing

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

Emarat Al Youm, 15 September 2025: Dubai Municipality has introduced three key structural requirements for the design of nationals’ villas, whilst taking action against engineering firms found in violation of building codes.

The new standards mandate compliance with the Dubai Building Code and approved engineering standards, require a balance between structural safety and economic cost, and specify the use of building materials only as required without excess.

The municipality recently issued warnings to several engineering consultancy offices after detecting professional malpractices involving excessive structural designs for nationals’ villas. These practices were found to conflict with Dubai Building Code requirements and led to unjustified increases in construction costs.

The main violation involved over-engineering of structural designs, with excessive use of steel reinforcement and concrete without engineering justification. The municipality identified these violations through both design reviews and on-site inspections.

Officials noted that some designs included unnecessary reinforcement and oversized structural elements that increased costs for homeowners without technical necessity.

The municipality has warned consulting offices to avoid these practices to prevent negative annual evaluations and potential disciplinary measures under applicable regulations.

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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