| Saudi Arabia, Palestine to boost trade with formation of new business council Saudi Arabia and Palestine have agreed to form a business council to boost bilateral trade and promote investments between both nations. |
| Saudi Arabia announces new national policy to eliminate forced labor Saudi Arabia has introduced its National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced. |
| Saudi EXIM Bank signs $15m deal with Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah to boost trade The Saudi Export-Import Bank and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah have inked a $15 million financing agreement, designed to enhance Kingdom’s exporters access to Pakistani markets and foster stronger trade and economic ties. |
| THC partners with SIRC to boost sustainability, innovate waste solutions Saudi Investment Recycling Co. and the Kingdom’s the Helicopter Co. have partnered to boost sustainability efforts and develop innovative waste management solutions. |
| UAE hits highest-ever Emiratisation rate with 131,000 citizens in private sector: Sheikh Mohammed For the first time, the number of Emiratis employed in the UAE's private sector hit 131,000 in 2024 — marking a significant 350-per-cent increase, it was announced on Thursday. |
| UAE: Can tenants file complaints if rent hikes violate rules in Sharjah? I moved to Sharjah about a year ago. Can you tell me about the rent increase policies in the Emirate? How do I complain if my rent increases are not in line with these policies? |
| Saudi authorities arrest 21,485 illegals in one week Saudi authorities arrested 21,485 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. |
| UAE: Can tenants file complaints if rent hikes violate rules in Sharjah? I moved to Sharjah about a year ago. Can you tell me about the rent increase policies in the Emirate? How do I complain if my rent increases are not in line with these policies? |
| Dubai: How much rent landlords can increase under the new rental index I own a villa in Dubai that I have rented out. As per the latest rental index, my tenant is paying much lesser than the average in the area. Can I raise the rent at once to bring it on par with the average? That would be a substantial hike. |
| Finance ministry outlines details of multinational tax law Kuwait’s Finance Minister Noura Al-Fassam shared significant details about the multinational entities tax law during a press conference late Wednesday, according to Kuwait News Agency. Speaking to representatives of multinational entities operating in Kuwait, Al-Fassam announced that the ministry is working on a new corporate tax law, with details of that law to be announced later. |
| Saudi Arabia’s Surj Sports Investment partners with Enfield Investment to boost global portfolio Saudi Arabia’s Surj Sports Investment Co. signed a strategic partnership agreement on Monday with US-based Enfield Investment Partners to expand and enhance investments in the global sports sector. |
| Saudi Arabia, Oman to strengthen financial ties with new agreement Saudi Arabia and Oman are set to strengthen financial ties with a new agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and facilitating the exchange of information and expertise. |
| Saudi Arabia, Japan strengthen investment ties with strategic MoU The Saudi Investment Promotion Authority on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Mizuho Bank Ltd. in an effort to enhance investment opportunities between the two countries. |
| Kuwait corporate tax...step to improve business environment, match global standards The Kuwaiti Finance Ministry is bent on step up the pace of tax management as part of Kuwait’s vision to improve the business environment, cope with developments, overhaul the tax system, meet global standards and slash reliance upon oil earnings. |
| Kuwait, Saudi sign agreement on haj arrangements Kuwaiti Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Mohammad Al-Wasmi and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah signed on Sunday an agreement to organize the affairs of Kuwaiti pilgrims of this year’s haj (1446 AH-2025). |
| Saudi Arabia arrests 19,418 illegals in one week Saudi authorities arrested 19,418 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. |
| Saudi Arabia’s Hafr Al-Batin forum seals $4.5bn in investments The Hafr Al-Batin Investment Forum 2025, held in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, concluded with the signing of seven agreements totaling SR17 billion ($4.5 billion) across key sectors, underscoring the region’s growing economic potential. |
| Saudi Arabia, BlackRock explore collaborative opportunities to advance Vision 2030 goals A meeting between Saudi Arabia’s economy minister and the vice chairman of BlackRock focused on global economic developments, investment opportunities, and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification efforts. |
| Higher fines under new residency law come into effect Fines for residency violations under Kuwait’s new residency law, in some cases double the previous fines, will be applied from Sunday, the interior ministry said. |
| UAE: Step by step guide on how non-Muslims can get married in Dubai I am a non-Muslim living in Dubai. I plan to get married in the UAE. How does the process work? Do I have to take care of the court formalities before hosting the wedding party? If so, how is that done? Please advise. |
| Heritage Commission, Motoko Katakura Foundation sign MoU to preserve desert culture in Saudi Arabia The Heritage Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese Motoko Katakura Foundation for Desert Culture in Riyadh on Sunday. |
| Kingdom arrests 19,541 illegals in one week Saudi authorities arrested 19,541 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. |
| Higher fines under new residency law come into effect Fines for residency violations under Kuwait’s new residency law, in some cases double the previous fines, will be applied from Sunday, the interior ministry said. Fines for failing to renew a normal residence permit for any reason, will be KD 2 per day in the first month and KD 4 daily for subsequent months. |
| Kuwait discusses military cooperation with Saudi Arabia Deputy Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Major General Sheikh Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, met with the Commander of the Saudi Royal Air Force, Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, to discuss important topics of mutual interest, particularly those related to enhancing the frameworks of military cooperation between the two countries. |
| UAE: Step by step guide on how non-Muslims can get married in Dubai I am a non-Muslim living in Dubai. I plan to get married in the UAE. How does the process work? Do I have to take care of the court formalities before hosting the wedding party? If so, how is that done? Please advise. |
| UAE: Dh100,000 fine for selling defective cars; buyers can take legal action I recently bought a secondhand car listed on a website. However, multiple technical issues have developed. My mechanic says the seller likely hid the problems before selling the car to me. |
| KISR, Coast Guard sign MoU to protect marine environment The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and the General Directorate of the Coast Guard signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, to strengthen cooperation in marine environmental protection and combat pollution. |
| SRC and Hassana launch mortgage-backed securities to boost Saudi real estate investment The region’s first-of-its-kind residential mortgage-backed securities will be available in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom seeks to enhance liquidity and expand investment opportunities in the real estate finance sector. |
| 24% have yet to submit biometrics; last day for expats The deadline for expatriates to register their biometric data ends on Tuesday and the period will not be extended, officials of the General Department of Criminal Evidence said. |
| People who falsely obtained citizenship must repay benefits People who had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked because of obtaining it through fraud and false statements and documents are required to repay all benefits they had enjoyed while holding the citizenship, according to new amendments to the 1959 nationality law. |
| People who falsely obtained citizenship must repay benefits People who had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked because of obtaining it through fraud and false statements and documents are required to repay all benefits they had enjoyed while holding the citizenship, according to new amendments to the 1959 nationality law. |
| KISR, Coast Guard sign MoU to protect marine environment The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and the General Directorate of the Coast Guard signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, to strengthen cooperation in marine environmental protection and combat pollution. |
| Cabinet approves 15% tax on multinationals Kuwait’s Cabinet has approved a draft decree-law imposing a 15 percent tax on multinational companies operating in more than one country, in line with global tax standards. |
| Saudi Red Sea Authority issues 12 new licenses The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued 12 new licenses for tourism shipping agents, cruise ship operators, and marine tourism construction and operators, in addition to technical licenses for recreational marine activities. |
| Saudi Arabia arrests 23,194 illegals in one week Saudi authorities arrested 23,194 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. |
| SFD funds specialized hospital in Zambia with $135m The Saudi Fund for Development has signed an additional development loan agreement worth $35 million for the construction of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Specialized Hospital in Zambia, raising the total SDF funding for the hospital to $135 million. |
| UAE: Is it legal to ask employees to be ‘on call’ after 8-hour duty? Question: I work for a company in mainland UAE. If I work the required 9.5 hours, can I be expected to be ‘on call’ after work hours? There have been many instances of me having to log in to work from home after work hours. Is this legal? |
| Dubai: What rights do tenants have if landlords increase rent exorbitantly? Question: Does Dubai have any rules around increasing rents? Is there a cap on the increase? If I feel my landlord has increased the rent unjustly, what legal options do I have? How does the process work? |
| UAE: Is it mandatory for seller to replace faulty product if it breaks down multiple times? Question: How do product guarantees/warranties work in the UAE? I bought a laptop recently. It broke down multiple times. And each time, the seller just repaired it and gave it back. However, it is obvious that the product is defective and needs to be replaced. How do I make the seller replace it? |
| Saudi Arabia introduces new laws to streamline business registration and trade names Saudi Arabia’s new regulations designed to streamline commercial registration and trade name processes have been described as a “game-changer” for entrepreneurs. |
| Saudi Arabia to welcome Middle East’s first TRIBE hotel in King Salman Park French hospitality group Accor and Naif Alrajhi Investment have signed an agreement to bring the Middle East’s first TRIBE hotel to Saudi Arabia. |
| New partnership set to drive Kingdom’s architecture industry The Architecture and Design Commission has signed a strategic partnership with contracting firm Nesma & Partners to promote the Kingdom’s architecture and design industry. |
| UAE, Hong Kong ink deal to expand cross-border debt issuance and investment The UAE and Hong Kong are set to deepen ties in cross-border debt securities issuance and investment after their central banks signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance connectivity between their financial markets. |
| Saudi Arabia seeks to establish specialized courts to resolve business disputes Saudi Arabia plans to establish specialized courts to address investment disputes, enhance market confidence, and support its Vision 2030 strategy of becoming a global business hub. |
| 20,159 violators of residency, labor laws arrested in Saudi Arabia The Saudi Interior Ministry conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between Dec. 12-18 to ensure compliance with residency, labor and border security laws. |
| Cabinet approves MoU with China to accelerate Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port To accelerate the construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, the Cabinet approved a draft decree on Wednesday related to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kuwait and China, |
| UAE: How many breaks can employees take during work hours? What does the UAE employment law say about employees taking breaks during work hours? |
| UAE: Is it mandatory for seller to replace faulty product if it breaks down multiple times? How do product guarantees/warranties work in the UAE? I bought a laptop recently. It broke down multiple times. And each time, the seller just repaired it and gave it back. However, it is obvious that the product is defective and needs to be replaced. How do I make the seller replace it? |
| CITRA, Google ink land lease deal The Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority on Wednesday signed a land leasing contract with international conglomerate Google. |
| Cabinet approves MoU with China to accelerate Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port To accelerate the construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, the Cabinet approved a draft decree on Wednesday related to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kuwait and China, outlining their cooperation to complete the project. |