| Dh15,000 fine in UAE: Authority issues warning against selling cigarettes to minors The sale of cigarettes is strictly monitored in the UAE — and these should never land in the hands of buyers under the age of 18. |
| What you should know about freehold and leasehold properties I am on the lookout for a property in Dubai, but I am often confused between the terms freehold and lease (hold)? |
| Empower signs agreement with Sobha Realty Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, signed an agreement with Sobha Realty, one of UAE’s leading premium real estate developers, to provide environmentally district cooling services to the developer’s mixed-use projects, most notably the Sobha Hartland master community with a capacity of 17,000 refrigeration tons (RT). |
| PIF-owned Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co. signs ‘largest-of-its-kind’ deal with Al Rajhi Bank The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co., wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, on Sunday signed an agreement with Al Rajhi Bank to refinance more than worth SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) real estate financing portfolio. |
| PIF-owned Saudi Investment Recycling to acquire 60% of Masab Plastic Factory Public Investment Fund-owned Saudi Investment Recycling Co. has signed an agreement to acquire 60 percent of plastic resin manufacturer Masab Plastic Factory Co. |
| UAE jobs: Part-time work hours, annual leave, gratuity; all you need to know Can you please explain this model of work called a 'part-time' contract under UAE employment laws? How does it work in terms of working hours, leaves, gratuity, etc? |
| Can I set up a company or invest in UAE without being physically present in the country? I am planning to visit Dubai soon and explore some investment opportunities. Is it possible for me to run a business there without being a resident? |
| UAE Central Bank, Reserve Bank of India to join hands in enabling fintech innovation The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi, to enhance cooperation and jointly enable innovation in financial products and services. |
| Saudi Arabia arrests 16,471 illegals in one week Saudi authorities arrested 16,471 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, according to an official report. |
| MoH committed to updating healthcare system and protocols The Ministry of Health has confirmed its commitment to the continuous development of the health system and updating health care policies and protocols in line with the latest global developments. |
| UIC, Vietnamese delegation discuss means to promote commercial ties The Union of Investment Companies (UIC) held a meeting with a visiting investment delegation from Vietnam on March 14. The meeting comes within the framework of UIC’s efforts to promote local and international investments and encourage investment opportunities in Vietnam. |
| Why you should invest in gold in these uncertain times Is this the right time to invest in cryptocurrencies? What are the pitfalls, more so after the FTX disaster and the banking collapse in the US? |
| SVB, Signature Bank collapse: Will it affect startups in the UAE? The abrupt and unexpected collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank in the US has sent shockwaves through global markets. However, its impact on the UAE is minimal, experts have said. |
| PIF-owned ROSHN signs agreements worth $2.1bn to develop its communities ROSHN, the Saudi real estate developer, signed eight giga contracts worth SR8 billion ($2.1 billion) to develop modern infrastructure and facilities across the several projects it is developing across the Kingdom. |
| Strategic agreements to facilitate public-private cooperation signed during Arab Aviation Summit in UAE Three strategic multistakeholder agreements to facilitate public-private cooperation were signed during the 10th Arab Aviation Summit that concluded in the UAE, Emirates News Agency reported on Friday. |
| stc signs multiple MoUs to boost localization of ICT sector in Saudi Arabia In a move to increase the production of local content, Saudi telecom service provider stc signed a number of new strategic agreements with domestic companies during the Public Investment Fund's Private Sector Forum held in Riyadh on March 14-15. |
| UAE passes draft law banning personal advertising for medical professionals Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) approved a draft law that prohibits medical professionals in the country (except doctors and pharmacists) from publishing any personal advertising materials, or direct or indirect advertisements promoting themselves on any media platform. |
| Tourism Development Fund signs deal with Al Nahla Group to develop destinations in Saudi Arabia Tourism in Jeddah, Taif, and Madinah is set to receive a boost after an agreement was struck between the sector’s development fund and Saudi firm Al Nahla Group to create new projects. |
| King Abdullah Financial District inks 3 MoUs during PIF Private Sector Forum, CEO reveals King Abdullah Financial District has signed Memorandums of Understanding with Saudi private enterprises in the fields of digital payments, telecommunications, and entertainment during the Public Investment Fund's Private Sector Forum. |
| Saudia signs deal for 49 787s Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) announced on Tuesday that the national flag carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners. |
| Saudi ministry signs deal with Al-Tai FC over plan to make mosques in Hail region disabled-friendly The regional office in Hail of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has signed an agreement with Al-Tai football club relating to plans to refurbish mosques in the region to better accommodate people with disabilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported. |
| Saudi Arabia and Boeing strike $37bn deal for 121 aircraft Saudi Arabia has agreed a $37 billion deal with US firm Boeing which will see the company manufacture up to 121 aircraft to help get the Kingdom's new airline off the ground. |
| PIF signs four agreements to develop Kingdom’s private sector Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has signed four agreements with local entities to develop the private sector across several strategic industries in the Kingdom. |
| Entry, residency, work permits: 10 new e-services now available on one-stop UAE govt portal Abu Dhabi has announced that its unified services system, TAMM, now hosts its first batch of services. A number of Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) services have been added to the ecosystem, making it the first federal entity to provide its services through TAMM. |
| UAE: Is it illegal to use VPNs to make free calls? Question: I am reaching out to you as I am seeing many contradictory reports about my query. Are free calling apps allowed in the UAE? Am I allowed to use VPN for free calling apps? |
| Saudi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Agreement with Iran sign of joint will to resolve disputes through dialogue Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said the Saudi-Iranian agreement to restore diplomatic relations underscores the joint desire by both sides to “resolve disputes through communication and dialogue.” |
| Saudi Arabia and South Korea deepen trade and economic ties with 10 MoUs Saudi Arabia and South Korea reviewed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation, as the Kingdom’s Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih met with the east Asian country's Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Lee Young in Riyadh. |
| Driving license, inspection rules to be toughened The traffic department at the interior ministry is preparing new regulations for granting expatriates driving licenses, which will be submitted to the interior minister after the formation of the new government for approval. |
| UAE: Is it illegal to use VPNs to make free calls? Question: I am reaching out to you as I am seeing many contradictory reports about my query. Are free calling apps allowed in the UAE? Am I allowed to use VPN for free calling apps? |
| Biban sees signing of deals worth billions of dollars to propel Saudi SME sector The Biban 23 Forum witnessed the signing of more than 10 deals and memorandums of understanding worth over SR10.6 billion ($2.8 billion) on its third day, the Saudi Press Agency reported. |
| Saudi Arabia joins agreement to reduce risks of marine accidents Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to join an agreement to reduce risks of marine disasters and accidents. |
| Saudi Economy Ministry, Mukatafa sign MoU to help private sector align with Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning has partnered with Riyadh-based private consultancy firm Mukatafa to improve the Kingdom's development plans and enable sustainable growth. |
| 17k held for labor, residency, border violations in KSA Saudi authorities arrested more than 17,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, according to an official report. |
| Saudi Arabia, Iran reach agreement to renew diplomatic relations after talks in Beijing Saudi Arabia and Iran on Friday agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions between the two countries. |
| KCCI discusses easy expat transfers within Kuwaiti market In the presence of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue of facilitating the transfer of expatriate workers within the Kuwaiti market. |
| UAE: Domestic tax residency rules to benefit individuals and companies International companies as well as individual consultants will benefit from the domestic tax residency rules, say experts. Arun Leslie John, Chief Market Analyst of Century Financial gave the example of a German-incorporated company with a trading branch in Dubai that has a taxable income of Dh100 million in the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2023. |
| Over 25 agreements worth more than $2.93bn signed on the opening day of Biban 2023 Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at, signed a flurry of memorandums of understanding on the first day of Biban 2023 to help catalyze the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Kingdom and achieve the socioeconomic goals set in Vision 2030. |
| 151,992 residency violators in Kuwait: CSB Kuwait has a population of 4,385,717 of whom 1,488,716 are Kuwaitis or 34 percent of the total population, said Central Statistics Bureau on Tuesday in its final report of the 2021 census project for Kuwait. |
| Renting in Sharjah? New card replaces documents for contract attestation The Sharjah Municipality on Thursday started issuing the new lessor's cards, which replace a number of documents that landlords and tenants are required to submit for contract attestation. |
| Dh50,000 fine in UAE: New penalty announced for violators of mountaineering rules A fine of Dh50,000 will be imposed on anyone who violates mountaineering regulations and causes danger to lives of others, according to a decision taken by the Fujairah Adventure Center (FAC). |
| NEOM signs deal to help revolutionize sustainable food As land loss and soil erosion have threatened harvests across the globe for decades, Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of reshaping sustainable food culture for generations to come. |
| NEOM signs deal with Marriott International to open three hotels by 2024 Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion giga-project NEOM has signed an agreement with Marriott International Inc. to open three hotels in Sindalah, NEOM’s first luxury island. |
| Expats over 60 years allowed to transfer to private sector The Public Manpower Authority (PAM) on Wednesday amended rules governing expats who are over 60 and have only a higher secondary degree or lower, allowing them to transfer their residence to the private sector. |
| How smart driving test system uses AI, sensors to evaluate drivers The Smart Driving Test System (SDTS), which is used to test new drivers in Abu Dhabi, is an automated driving behaviour assessment that scores a candidate based on pre-defined testing criteria. This artificial intelligence system captures every action a driver takes during a test trip. |
| AMEX Saudi Arabia signs golf tournament partnership with AmCham The American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia signed a partnership with American Express Saudi Arabia to merge communities, spark networking and strengthen business corporations through golf during a signing ceremony at AMEX Saudi headquarters on Sunday. |
| Aramco signs $6bn deal to help South Korean companies win contracts in the Kingdom Saudi Aramco has agreed a $6 billion framework deal with the Export-Import Bank of Korea that could help South Korean companies win contracts in the Kingdom. |
| Kuwait, Korea ink education deal Kuwait University signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday with South Korea’s King Sejeong Institute, a government-funded institute which assists students worldwide seeking to learn Korean language and culture. |
| UAE: 7 emirates sign Net Zero 2050 Charter to develop policies for climate action His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has witnessed the signing of the UAE Governments Net Zero 2050 Charter. |
| Tax residency rules in UAE: All your questions answered A UAE ministerial decision issued on the determination of tax residency will ease the lives of expats living in the UAE and be in their best interest - according to experts in the country. |
| UAE announces four-month ban on shark, ray fishing UAE authority on Monday announced a ban on fishing across the country to regulate shark fishing and trade. |