Middle East: Government, Public Sector

Businesses operating in the UAE face severe penalties for failing to comply with anti-money laundering regulations, where even minor errors in customer verification, record keeping, or reporting procedures can result in substantial financial penalties and irreparable harm to corporate reputation. Understanding the specific compliance requirements and potential consequences is critical for organizations seeking to operate within the UAE's regulatory framework.

Anti-money laundering compliance is a fundamental legal and operational requirement, especially for companies that deal with client money, high-value transactions, cross-border payments, property transactions, virtual assets or complex corporate structures.

Under UAE law, investment schemes that promise fixed or unusually high returns may constitute criminal fraud and money laundering if no genuine investment activity exists behind them. This analysis examines how Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 and Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 distinguish between legitimate investment failures and sham arrangements, exploring the criminal and civil consequences for perpetrators and the recovery options available to victims.

Record settler violence in the West Bank has drawn unprecedented international sanctions from the UK, France, and nine EU states, while Israel's far-right coalition pushes settlement expansion ahead of October elections. With the Palestinian Authority weakened and the US notably restrained in its response, the escalating crisis threatens regional partnerships and marks a stark departure from the Oslo Accords signed thirty-three years ago this September.

Dubai alcohol laws combine federal decriminalization in authorized places with emirate-level rules and strict commercial licensing. Dubai has a comparatively liberal system for personal consumption, but that does not permit public drinking, under-21 supply, or unlicensed sale, manufacture, transport, or distribution.

Egyptian customs authorities possess broad powers to auction and dispose of goods under customs control. This comprehensive framework addresses abandoned cargo, confiscated items, and perishable goods through structured procedures governing storage periods, public auctions, revenue distribution, and eventual transfer to government entities when sales fail.

Qatar's Central Bank has launched a temporary loan deferral initiative allowing borrowers to postpone loan instalments and interest payments for up to three months in response to regional geopolitical developments.

This document presents the Translation of Law No. 194 of 2020, known as the Banking Law of Egypt.

Edible oils in Egypt play a vital role in the daily diet, being essential for cooking and the production of various food products, making them indispensable.

Dubai Customs has introduced a voluntary disclosure mechanism allowing businesses to report customs violations before detection by authorities, potentially resulting in full or partial waiver of fines. The system requires companies to identify errors through internal reviews and submit disclosures with supporting documentation within strict timeframes. Understanding the conditions and procedures is essential for businesses seeking to leverage this compliance tool while avoiding penalties.

Kuwait's Decree-Law No. 67 of 2026 fundamentally restructures Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, shifting it from a heavily regulated public entity to a commercially managed enterprise with board-led governance and streamlined contracting powers. The amendments remove prior-oversight constraints, prohibit local agency intermediation, and position KPC as a quasi-holding company with expanded authority over subsidiaries, financing, and procurement. What do these reforms mean for international counterparties, lende

Egyptian customs authorities possess broad powers to auction and dispose of goods under customs control. This comprehensive framework addresses abandoned cargo, confiscated items, and perishable goods through structured procedures governing storage periods, public auctions, revenue distribution, and eventual transfer to government entities when sales fail.