05/07/2021
COVID-19 impact: UAE reduces penalties on VAT, excise tax
The new provisions will be applicable 60 days as from April 28, 2021
Legal, Tax, Regulation & Compliance
05/07/2021
Qatar finance minister arrested over alleged embezzlement -statement
Emadi steered Qatar’s economic policies during the 2014-2015 oil price crash that prompted the tiny nation – as well as other Gulf countries – to accelerate plans to diversify the economy.
05/07/2021
Kuwait may take 4 years to introduce personal taxes
Political gridlock and a lack of expertise holding up plans
05/07/2021
Qatar Emir sacks finance minister over corruption charges
Ali Shareef Al Emadi arrested over alleged abuse of power and misuse of public funds
05/07/2021
Turkish central bank sticks to high interest rates after inflation rise
The central bank also said that past rate hikes – including as recently as in March – have begun to cool demand in the economy.
05/07/2021
Jordan fires Basem Awadallah from Arab Bank administration
He was detained last month over an attempt to destabilise the kingdom's security.
05/06/2021
Lebanese judge orders asset freezes for individuals tied to major banks
The complaint accuses local banks, which have frozen customers out of their deposits and blocked them from transferring cash abroad since the crisis erupted in late 2019, of crimes including negligence and fraud.
05/06/2021
New Saudi law boosts efforts to combat financial fraud
Under the new law, the possible punishments for individuals convicted of committing financial crimes include up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of SR5 million ($1.3 million).
05/05/2021
UAE shakes up residency rules by offering passports to wealthy expats
Emirate hopes reforms will encourage investment and boost economy
05/05/2021
QCB issues QR600 million treasury bills for May 2021
The treasury bills are issued through auction for banks operating in Qatar
05/04/2021
Jump in demand for second passports among KSA expats
People have realized that they strongly need a plan B
05/04/2021
Du secures $1bln financing deal with a group of banks
Telecoms company says two-part finance deal will be used for corporate purposes and infrastructure deployment
05/03/2021
Central Bank of UAE issues specialised banks with low risk regulation
These banks to have a minimum paid-up capital requirement of Dh300 million
05/03/2021
Istanbul joins EBRD Green Cities urban sustainability programme
The EBRD is already financing two metro lines that keep Istanbul on the move, and we are ready to fund more improvements to public transport and other areas of city life.
05/03/2021
Lebanon central bank chief says French properties bought prior to becoming governor
A non-profit organization Sherpa and a group of lawyers had filed a legal complaint to France’s financial prosecutor against him over alleged corruption and money laundering
04/30/2021
DLA Piper announces the promotion of Bahrain-based Mohamed Toorani to its partnership
In addition to Mohamed's promotion to partnership, the firm has announced the promotion of one lawyer to Legal Director and six lawyers to Senior Associate across its regional offices
04/30/2021
Female judges take on the banks in Lebanon
Judges Ghada Aoun, Amani Salameh and Rania Rahme have all issued decisions against the country’s major financial establishments in recent weeks
04/30/2021
Firms not complied to the UAE anti money laundering regulations to be penalised from May 1
Extended grace period for registration ends on April 30, 2021
04/30/2021
UAE introduces guidelines on anti-money laundering
The guidelines are set to be published on the NAMLCFTC and other regulatory bodies’ websites, to increase knowledge of the rules and ensure action by licensed entities.
04/29/2021
To promote financial inclusion National Bank of Egypt and talabat partner to provide advanced digital payment solutions
The cooperation stems from the mutual strategic focus towards the expansion of electronic payments, as well as supporting the Egyptian government's financial inclusion and digital transformation policies