• China pledges to ‘work with all’ for results at Abu Dhabi WTO conference

    Abu Dhabi, UAE--China is willing to work with all parties to achieve more pragmatic results at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held in Abu Dhabi, according to the country's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Sunday. During his meeting with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO...
  • GPSSA issues circular on pensions, gratuity in UAE

    ABU DHABI, UAE – The Emirates General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has issued a circular to government and private sector employers, detailing the regulations for pension deductions and end-of-service gratuity in line with Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023. The circular included limiting the procedure of deduction...
  • CBUAE cancels license of First Insurance Brokers Company

    ABU DHABI, UAE - The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has cancelled the license of First Insurance Brokers Company (First Insurance), an insurance company operating in the UAE. CBUAE struck First Insurance’s name off the Register, pursuant to Article 22 (2) of the Board of Directors Resolution No.15 of...
  • Dubai Land Department calls for engaging accredited valuation offices

    DUBAI, UAE – The Dubai Land Department (DLD) is committed to providing property owners with easily accessible resources to reinforce transparency within the real estate market and promote adherence to relevant laws and regulations. The official list of accredited companies and valuation offices is available on DLD’s official website (dubailand.gov.ae)...
  • Saudi civil aviation authority announces economic policy of sector

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced the economic policy of the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom and the adoption of three economic regulations for airports, ground services, air freight and air transport services, which came into force on Monday. The economic policy...
  • Tech development must be ethical, inclusive: Scientist

    Interdisciplinary discussions can help in guiding ethical tech development for the greater good, Karen Hallberg of Argentina's Bariloche Atomic Centre tells TRENDS.
  • Norms may make it easy to navigate ethical maze of AI

    While speaking at the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah, he emphasized that it's essential to regulate technology and overall policies to ensure cybersecurity and ethical AI use, stressing the necessity of local regulations in addition to international standards.
  • China denies ban on use of iPhone in government agencies

    Beijing, China--China on Wednesday denied there was any ban on officials purchasing or using foreign phones, including iPhones, after reports said Beijing was prohibiting civil servants from using Apple handsets. "China has not issued any laws, regulations, and policy documents prohibiting the purchase and use of foreign brand smartphones, including iPhone,"...
  • Bahrain’s RERA revokes real estate firm’s license for ‘breach of regulations’

    Manama, Bahrain-- for "exceeding the scope of the permit." The owner had exceeded the scope of the permit which was issued to him, in accordance with the provisions of the Real Estate Sector Regulation Law,  promulgated by Law No. 27 of 2017 and its amendments and executive edicts. In a statement issued...
  • Nations look to sign deep sea mining rules by 2025

    The member nations of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) agreed on a two-year roadmap for the adoption of deep sea mining regulations, in spite of exhortations by conservationists for a moratorium on extraction. The ISA has spent the last decade trying to work out a mining code for the possible...
  • Harness AI opportunities, assess threats to peace

    "AI development is now outpacing Moore's Law and moving at breakneck speed, and governments are unable to keep up. This is the wake-up call we need," asserts Sharaf, urging for a balanced outlook towards AI, emphasizing the need for "optimistic realists" who assess the possible threats posed by AI to...
  • Egypt building collapse kills eight residents in capital

    According to state media and the public prosecution, eight people including seven members of one family were killed in Cairo when a residential building collapsed. Civil defense workers pulled out nine people, among them an injured woman, while the eight others were dead, adding that five people got out in...
  • Rulebook to ease access to UAE central bank’s reference system

    Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has launched the Rulebook, a dedicated platform on its website that hosts the CBUAE’s regulations, standards, guidelines, relevant laws and other regulatory publications. This comes as part of a series of initiatives to adopt innovative financial technologies and the...
  • Strong economy, innovation shield GCC banks

    GCC banks, which are recognized for their sophistication and maturity, have minimal exposure to the ongoing global crisis due to proactive administrations and robust regulations across the region, they add.
  • GCC digital banking targets $2trn with cloud services

    GCC authorities, however, acknowledge the accompanying challenges and are developing regulations to enhance digital banking experiences. A key requirement is that Cloud Service Providers must reside in their service regions, overcoming which could significantly expand regional financial services and mark a new phase in GCC's financial evolution.
  • Norwegian delegation in Abu Dhabi discusses legal issues with ADJD   

    ABU DHABI, UAE -   The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) discussed legal and judicial issues with a delegation from Norway. The Norwegian delegation was given a tour of the main building of ADJD, introduced to all divisions and courts and to the different sections and chambers of the courts. This...
  • UAE issues decree on use and distribution of hydrofluorocarbons

    Dubai, UAE-- The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has issued a decree on the use and distribution of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in order to control their circulation and emission into the air. The decree aligns with the UAE's preparations to host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the...
  • Enhanced governance, financial control crucial for SMEs’ growth in Gulf region, says expert

    Despite significant rise in SMEs across GCC, there is still room for improvement in terms of governance, bringing in external shareholders, Rabih I. Khoury of MEVP tells TRENDS.
  • Civil Society groups under ‘severe restrictions’ in Libya, says HRW

    TRIPOLI, LIBYA - Libyan authorities have imposed "severe restrictions" on local and international civil society groups, obstructing their work in the war-scarred country, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday. "Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) and other authorities are cracking down on non-governmental domestic and foreign organizations," the New York-based rights...
  • Nations closer to global guidelines on disease outbreaks, says WHO

    NEW YORK, US - Governments agreed on a way forward to update disease outbreak regulations ahead of meetings to draft new global guidelines for tackling pandemics, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. According to United Nations News Center, the two processes are complementary. They are guided by the need of...
  • Regulate digital platforms to curb disinformation

    “If the regulatory initiatives are developed in isolation, with each country working in their own corner, they are doomed to fail. Information disruption is by definition a global problem, so our reflections must take place at the global scale,” the top UNESCO official added.
  • Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy hosts industry workshop

    DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has hosted the sixth episode of a series of digital industry workshops focusing on the e-commerce market. Attended by Dubai's e-commerce industry leaders, the workshop saw discussions on topics surrounding regulations, funding, talent,...
  • Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy discusses sector’s future

    Dubai, UAE--Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has organised a workshop designed to bring key players, investors and related parties together to discuss the future of this nascent sector. The workshop, held at Dubai Chambers headquarters, included a lively roundtable session, where...
  • New bank reforms reveal fraudulent dollar transactions: Iraq PM

    Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has said the country's new banking regulations have revealed fraudulent dollar transactions made from his country. In recent months the country has been seeking to make sure that its banking system is in sync with the international electronic transfer system.
  • Most Middle Eastern nations lack crypto regulations

    The adoption of digital currencies can help open new business segments as the use of these assets increases with time, Daniel Takieddine, CEO of MENA BDSwiss, tells TRENDS.
  • ING Q3 profit at US$958m

    Bank announced a share buyback of US$1.4 billion.
  • Uncertainty rules even as MENA crypto market grows

    Crypto investors fear a possible global recession, especially amidst weak economic activity data, Wael Makarem, Senior Market Strategist - MENA at Exness, tell TRENDS.
  • UAE, Jordan ink pact to standardize specifications

    The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) to strengthen ties around standards, regulations, conformity assessment, specifications and national hallmarks.
  • Saudi Arabia eases visa rules for GCC, US, UK, EU residents

    The regulations came into effect after the minister of tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb signed on a ministerial decree, making it easier to visit the oil-rich kingdom.
  • Gulf countries get more adaptable to open banking

    The GCC region is now witnessing an increase in adoption of open banking system and implementation plans are being put in place as regulators set new market policies.
  • GCC ripe for digital banking growth

    A high penetration of digital technologies and a tech-savvy younger consumer base among the factors that make the region a fertile ground for the flourishing of online banking. The present laws and regulations in most GCC countries have significantly influenced this sector's development. Aiding the region in its embrace of...
  • UAE’s high-end luxury sectors most crypto-friendly

    Most luxurious vacations are purchased through crypto, same goes for luxury real estate and many more retail services, says Atul Hegde, NFT & digital marketing expert.
  • 22 die in a bus crash in southern Egypt

    At least 22 people were killed and 33 injured in southern Egypt on Tuesday when the bus they were traveling in smashed into a parked truck, officials said.
  • Bioethics: Towards a moral practice of medicine

    Bioethicists must support and advance the rights of women through new policies and ensure that established regulations and policies are implemented in support of patients. Bioethicists must also strive to alert practitioners to the social and cultural challenges, she adds.
  • ‘Islam forbids infringement on intellectual property rights’

    The Committee for Ifta pointed out that ideas have value according to the regulations issued in this regard, and therefore an infringement on them is not permissible.
  • Three trends that will shape payroll this year

    It seems unlikely that the volatility we have experienced since the start of the pandemic will disappear. Therefore, payroll teams will need to be adaptable and efficient to stay ahead of evolving regulations and legislation, as well as the demands of their workforces, she adds.
  • Ras Al Khaimah to allow ‘gaming’ at upcoming resort in Marjan

    The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah on Tuesday announced a multibillion-dollar deal with casino giant Wynn Resorts and said it will allow “gaming”, without elaborating what “gaming” referred to. A media report said the announcement comes after months of rumors about gambling coming to the UAE, where Islam, which prohibits gambling,...
  • UAE cabinet endorses labor and industrial laws

    Chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, the Cabinet approved the Executive Regulations of the Federal Decree Law on Regulation of Labor Relations and the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law regarding the regulation and protection of industrial...
  • Iraq highlights prominent investment opportunities

    Iraqi's granting facilities to investors including regulations in completing transactions and eliminating corruption and providing safe environment renewed many hope for the growth of investment sectors in the country.
  • Emirates Health Services to upgrade executive regulations

    The Emirates Health Services (EHS) is looking to upgrade executive and financial regulations and ways to develop the capabilities of health cadres and proactive and integrated health services.
  • Saudi Arabia consistent on pension index

    The Kingdom ranks 26 in the Mercer Institute Global Pension Index 2021 for the fourth year in a row, with a total of 58.1 points, up from 57.5 last year.
  • Oversight panel will review Facebook VIP system

    The so-called "cross-check" or "XCheck" system shields millions of elite users from rules that Facebook claims to apply equally at the social media giant.
  • FB to unveil digital wallet soon?

    The Novi wallet has been under development for two years.