In brief On 28 September 2023, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued Federal Law No. 36 of 2023 (the “New Competition Law”), which has repealed and replaced Federal Law No. 4 of 2012. The New Competition Law signals a new era of enforcement by the UAE Ministry of Economy by providing a functional competition regime through, inter alia: extending a wider scope of application to almost all economic activities; expanding its mandate by prohibiting…
On 5 December 2023, the Saudi government announced the tax regime that will be applicable to Regional Headquarter entities (“RHQs”). RHQs will effectively be given a tax holiday for 30 years and outward payments by the RHQ would be subject to nil withholding tax. Specific details have yet to be announced. The Ministry of Investment, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced a tax holiday package…
In brief This is some guardedly good news for foreign investors operating in Egypt who are interested in establishing vehicles to import commodities for direct trading on the domestic market in Egypt (i.e., importation for trading). A company can now be majority or wholly-owned by foreign nationals or foreign entities and apply for the importation license for commercial resale. However, the importation license will only be granted for 10 years with a possible renewal for…
In brief Following rounds of consultation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued the new and much anticipated Federal Law No. 3 of 2022 regulating Commercial Agencies (“New Law”), repealing and replacing the longstanding Federal Law No. 18 of 1981, which has been amended many times including most recently in May 2020. The New Law introduces various changes and grants for the first time, the right for international companies that are not owned by UAE…
In brief As the Dubai real estate market continues to break pre-pandemic transaction records, a new real estate law has been introduced to further support the growth of property investment funds in Dubai. With the issuance of Decree No. 22 of 2022 (the Property Investment Funds Law), a new register (the Register of Property Investment Funds) has been established at the Dubai Land Department (the DLD) which entitles registered funds certain rights to facilitate their…