Uae

Bahrain is one of the most open investment destinations in the Middle East. Renowned for its liberal economic policies that actively encourage foreign investment and trade, it offers a unique business environment with full exemption from taxes, zero customs duties, and the possibility of 100% foreign ownership across most sectors without the need for a local partner. The country boasts three Free Trade Zones (FTZs), each tailored to cater specifically to different sectors of the global market with unique infrastructural advantages and strategic positioning. Read more

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, stands as a significant business hub in the Middle East. The city boasts several free zones, which are specialised areas offering a wealth of advantages to businesses looking to establish or expand their presence. These free zones are renowned for providing 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of profits, tax exemptions, and simplified company setup processes. Designed to cater to a diverse array of industries, each free zone in Abu Dhabi is uniquely tailored to support specific business activities. This article looks at the free zones in Abu Dhabi, providing an overview and an analysis of their associated costs. Read more

Ship chandlers play a pivotal role in maritime commerce, supplying vessels with essential goods and services—from food provisions and cabin stores to deck and engine supplies, ensuring they’re fully stocked and equipped for their global journeys. Dubai, with its strategic location at the crossroads of major international shipping lanes and with links to more than 220 ports worldwide, offers fertile ground for ship chandlers. The Emirate has emerged as a global maritime hub, supporting over 13,000 maritime businesses and activities and providing unparalleled access to one of the busiest shipping routes worldwide. It’s also home to Jebel Ali Port, one of the world's largest man-made harbours, handling over 14 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, showcasing its immense capacity and strategic importance. This, coupled with a business-friendly environment that promotes growth and innovation in maritime services, provides the ideal backdrop to support the critical operations of ship chandling companies. This article looks in more detail at the unique opportunities for ship chandling in Dubai as well as the key considerations for launching and managing a ship chandling company. Read more

Dubai's free zones have been pivotal in transforming the city into a global business hub. To date, there are more than 50 free trade zones in Dubai. These economic hubs, often clustered around sector-specific industries, each offer unique benefits, cost structures, and business advantages, making it essential to carefully evaluate and compare these aspects when considering the right one for your business setup. This article provides an overview and broad comparison of some of the key aspects such as financial obligations, operational timelines, and permitted activities across prominent free zones including Dubai International Financial Centre, JAFZA, Dubai Media City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Healthcare City. Read more

A new amendment to the DIFC Employment Law is now in effect and is seeking to address an imbalance in UAE/GCC national pension contributions. Read more

Once company formation in Qatar is complete and the business has been established, it is important to consider the ongoing requirements necessary to ensure the continuous running of the business. There is the need for companies to account for their licenses, required documents, HR considerations, and any restructuring requirements from annual to circumstantial changes of running a business in Qatar. This article looks at the ongoing requirements for businesses operating in Qatar, and support services available such as bank account, PRO, HR, and corporate structuring. Read more

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently been reclassified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and upgraded onto the white list on the 23rd February 2024. This significant achievement is a crucial milestone for the UAE and solidifies its status as a prominent financial hub through the protecting of financial integrity and providing a safe and open place to do business. The FATF elevating a country onto the white-list signifies they have been deemed to have taken remedial action as necessitated to improve their classification. This is expected to result in a level of international business confidence, enabling the UAE to attract further international business. This article looks at the recent reclassification of the UAE onto the FATF white-list and what this entails. Read more

The UAE has made revisions to its Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) regulations through Cabinet Decision No. 109/2023, which was issued on 16th November 2023, to replace the previous Cabinet Decision No. 58 of 2020. This article looks at the recent revisions that have been made to the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) regulations in the UAE, outlining the key updates to the regulations and their requirements. Read more

The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Programme in Saudi Arabia (KSA) has seen an increase in numbers in recent years. This annual increase of established RHQs, which can be attributed to the attractive incentives the programme offers, aligns with the Kingdoms goals for the Vision 2030 initiative and the ongoing efforts to encourage economic diversification. This article looks at the recent increase in demand with regards to the Regional Headquarters Programme in Saudi Arabia. Read more

With DMCC, JAFZA and Mainland companies in the UAE being required to adhere to WPS it is important for companies to automate and streamline their payroll process to save time and avoid submitting incorrect information about employee’s salaries. Read more