Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) were introduced in the UAE in March 2019 by virtue of Cabinet Resolution No. 31 of 2019 (Cabinet Resolution). The ESR apply to all companies based in the UAE (onshore and free zones), including branches and apply to financial years starting on or after 1 January 2019. The UAE government has delegated the responsibility to regulate and administer the ESR to the various onshore and free zone authorities (such as the…
On 19 March 2020, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pursuant to Executive Order 13846 (EO 13846), for their alleged involvement in purchasing hundreds of thousands of metric tons of petroleum products from the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for delivery to the UAE. The following UAE-based companies were added to the US Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List): (1) Alam Althrwa…
As the world attempts to address the various challenges arising from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), governments and financial services regulators have been making efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the economy and financial sector. Set out here is an overview of the measures taken and guidance provided by the financial services regulators in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and overseas to address the financial markets and various regulatory concerns, including the: Dubai…
As the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the world, governments are actively working with global and local health authorities to implement nationwide measures to help curb transmission and mitigate virus-related risks as well as offer relief for businesses and individuals in these challenging times. In response, businesses and government institutions across the UAE are taking necessary action to minimise the impact of the pandemic on their operations, workforce and supply chains, in…
As you may have seen in the press over the last couple of weeks, there has been a significant development in the recognition and enforcement of UAE judgments in India with the issuance of the official Indian Gazette Notification on 17 January 2020 (the Notification). The Notification declares the UAE as a ‘reciprocating territory’ and, going forward, judgments from the UAE courts will be recognized and enforced in India. What has changed? Whilst India and…