United Arab Emirates Archives - Page 4 of 64

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

Sharjah: Council Announces New Community Services

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

Gulf News, 9 September 2025: The Sharjah Executive Council has approved key administrative changes and reviewed progress on community initiatives.

The council evaluated the recently launched bereavement support programme, which provides mourning families with access to condolence tents or neighbourhood majlis facilities, along with hospitality services and directional signage.

Education officials presented data from the private education sector, which currently serves more than 201,000 students with a workforce of 12,000 teachers. Recent achievements include an 80% increase in schools rated “Very Good” and expanded recruitment of Emirati teachers in private institutions.

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News developments

UAE (Ras Al Khaimah): Property Purchases Now Available via Cryptocurrency

11/09/202511/09/2025
by Hannah Gutang

Gulf News, 1 September 2025: A major UAE property developer has introduced cryptocurrency payment options for international buyers purchasing real estate in Ras Al Khaimah.

Key features of the initiative include:

Acceptance of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, USDT, and ETH
Automatic conversion to UAE dirhams
Direct settlement into developer accounts
Compliance with UAE financial regulations

The payment process will be managed entirely through Hubpay and its VARA-licensed partners, with the developer not handling digital assets directly. All transactions will be processed through regulated channels to ensure compliance.

The move comes amid significant development in Ras Al Khaimah, including:

New Wynn casino resort
Al Marjan Island expansion
Multiple Abu Dhabi developer investments
Establishment of digital asset free zone

The payment system provides instant conversion of cryptocurrency to UAE dirhams, offering international investors an additional payment channel for property purchases in the emirate’s growing real estate market.

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News developments

Dubai: Introduces New Tourist Transport Regulations

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

Emarat Al Youm, 9 September 2025: Dubai’s transport authorities have unveiled new executive regulations governing tourist transportation services across the emirate, implemented through Dubai Administrative Decision No. 97/2025.

The comprehensive regulations establish new licensing requirements for tourist transport operators and vehicles. Under the new framework, authorities will oversee the issuance and renewal of permits for tourist transport establishments, vehicle registration, and professional licences for tourist transport drivers.

Key measures include:

Mandatory licensing for all tourist transport facilities
New vehicle registration requirements for tourist transport vehicles
Professional certification requirements for drivers
Streamlined application processes through authorised service centres.

The regulations create a standardised system for managing tourist transportation services across Dubai. Applications for permits and licences must be submitted through official service centres and channels designated by the transport authority.

The new regulatory framework assigns responsibility for oversight and compliance monitoring to the transport authority, which will manage all aspects of licensing and registration for the tourist transport sector.

For the full story, click here.

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News developments

Ajman: New Heavy Fines for Illegal Parking of Fuel Transport Vehicles

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

Gulf Today, 7 September 2025: Ajman’s government has issued new regulations prohibiting petroleum transport vehicles from parking outside designated areas, with violations carrying fines of up to AED20,000.

The Higher Energy Committee will oversee enforcement through judicial officers, implementing a graduated penalty system for offenders. First-time violators face AED5,000 fines, increasing to AED10,000 for second offences. Third violations will incur an AED20,000 penalty and may result in vehicle impoundment and public auction.

The committee holds the authority to impose additional sanctions on licensed facilities that breach regulations, including suspension or cancellation of petroleum trading permits. Officials may order immediate removal of vehicles from densely populated areas or locations presenting public safety risks, with costs charged to vehicle owners.

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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

Sharjah: Change to Fathers’ Visitation Rights

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

Gulf News, 25 August 2025: The Ruler of Sharjah has instructed the emirate’s judicial authorities to give judges wider discretion in custody cases, allowing divorced fathers to take their children outside designated visitation centres when it serves the children’s best interests.

The decision was announced during the ruler’s daily call-in programme Al Khat Al Mubasher (The Direct Line) on Sharjah Radio and Television, after a father called in to share his concerns over current visitation rules.

The man stated that since his divorce he had been limited to meeting his children inside a supervised room at the Social Services Department which felt like he was serving a sentence. He described the humiliation of not being able to take his children to visit relatives or enjoy outings. Sheikh Sultan immediately directed the Sharjah Department of Justice to empower judges to assess custody arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Under the new guidance, fathers will be able to take their children outside state facilities, provided there is no history of abuse or violence.

The welfare of children must come first, but fathers also have the right to see their children “free from pressures.”

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