Compliance

Saudi Arabia is introducing a formal exemption framework to its Regional Headquarters (RHQ) requirement, allowing foreign companies without an RHQ to bid for government contracts under defined conditions. While the core policy remains, this update creates a structured pathway for participation where technical or commercial factors justify it. Read more

Arla Foods recently announced an investment of over USD 60 million to expand its dairy production facility Bahrain at the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP). The Bahrain facility, located within the Bahrain International Investment Park, is already the company’s largest production site outside Europe, and the expansion is designed to significantly increase production capacity, output,Continue reading "Establishing a Dairy Production Facility in Bahrain: Key Considerations" Read more

Legal Requirements, Deadlines & Practical Compliance Guidance The United Arab Emirates is moving towards mandatory electronic invoicing as part of its broader tax transparency and digital transformation strategy. This initiative is led by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). The reform will significantly change how businesses issue, exchange, reportContinue reading "Electronic Invoicing in the UAE" Read more

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the most sophisticated jurisdictions globally for real estate investment and private wealth structuring. Beyond its well-known commercial appeal, the UAE offers a mature legal framework in DIFC and ADGM, that enables investors to structure property ownership through corporate and non-corporate vehicles designed to address asset protection, governance, succession planning, and cross-border considerations. This article examines the legal and structural advantages of holding and structural advantages of holding UAE real estate through holding companies, special purpose vehicles, and foundations, with particular focus on their role within private wealth and estate planning frameworks. Read more

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and holding companies are commonly used corporate structures for ownership, investment, and risk management. While they appear similar at a high level, both are often used to hold assets or shares while their legal scope, regulatory requirements, and practical applications differ quite significantly. Read more

Bahrain’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) has announced a major update to its Golden Residency Programme, reducing the minimum real estate investment requirement from BHD 200,000 to BHD 130,000. The change is designed to open the door to a wider pool of foreign investors while stimulating demand in the Kingdom’s premium property market. Read more

The UK’s Autumn Budget delivers major tax increases through frozen thresholds and higher charges on property, investment income and wealth structures. As our Sovereign Group analysis highlights, these measures make the UK less competitive for entrepreneurs, investors and internationally mobile families. We expect this will further accelerate the shift toward the Middle East, where the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia continue to offer far more attractive, low-tax environments. Read more

This article provides a clear and engaging overview of the main holding-structure options across DIFC, ADGM and major commercial free zones. It draws on recent regulations, practical case studies and market practice to help investors understand how to choose the right structure for their strategy. Read more

Dhareeba Now Requires Contract and PO Declarations Qatar’s General Tax Authority (GTA) has quietly implemented a significant change to the Withholding Tax (WHT) filing process through the Dhareeba tax portal, one that is already affecting taxpayers despite the absence of any formal announcement, public circular, or update on any GTA communication channel. Read more

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to attract high-calibre global investors has accelerated significantly over the past year, nowhere more clearly than in the Kingdom’s Premium Residency Programme (PRP). Although the programme was originally launched in 2019, momentum has increased sharply across 2024 and 2025 as Saudi Arabia positions itself as the region’s most commercially dynamic emerging market. Read more