News
MoHRE Initiates Regulatory Consultation on Alternative End-of-Service Benefits Model
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has initiated a regulatory consultation following its evaluation of the Alternative End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB) Savings Scheme, introduced pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. (96) of 2023. The consultation reflects a continuing evolution in the employment regulatory framework of the United Arab Emirates. The Alternative EOSB Savings Scheme establishes an optional, investment-based model as an alternative to the traditional gratuity regime…
VARA Formally Recognised Under UAE Corporate Tax Law: Regulatory Integration Strengthened
Ministerial Decision reinforces institutional alignment between Dubai’s virtual asset regime and the UAE’s federal tax framework The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 336 of 2025 formally recognising Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a “competent authority” under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. While the development has tax implications,…
Financial Markets Tribunal Upholds DFSA Fine on Al Ramz Capital for Reporting Breach
The Financial Markets Tribunal (FMT) has upheld a decision by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to impose a USD 25,000 fine on Al Ramz Capital LLC for failing to promptly report suspicious trading activity, reinforcing regulatory expectations around market conduct and compliance within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Background of the Case The penalty relates to transactions executed…
DFSA Fines Ark Capital Management Dh1.85 Million for Market Abuse Control Failures
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of Dh1,850,940 on Ark Capital Management (Dubai) Limited, citing serious breaches of DIFC regulatory requirements relating to market abuse controls and disclosure obligations. Ark Capital, an authorised firm operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was found to have maintained inadequate systems and controls for detecting and escalating potential market abuse,…
Dh100 Billion DIFC Expansion Signals Major Boost to Dubai’s Legal and Regulatory Ecosystem
Dubai has announced a landmark expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) with the launch of the DIFC Zabeel District, a Dh100 billion development that will more than double the size of the financial free zone. Beyond its physical scale, the project represents a significant strengthening of Dubai’s legal, regulatory, and dispute-resolution framework underpinning international business activity in the emirate. …
DIFC’s Record Growth Highlights Strength of Its Legal and Regulatory Framework
Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) record growth in 2025 reflects not only rising commercial activity but also the continued strength of its legal and regulatory architecture, which has become a key factor attracting global financial institutions to Dubai. The centre added more than 2,500 new firms during the year, taking the total number of active registered…
India–US FTA 2026 Explained: Tariff Reduction, Key Sectors, and Business Readiness
Why the India–US FTA matters now On 2nd February 2026, India and the United States announced a significant trade understanding that has been widely described as a reset in bilateral economic relations. One of the most commercially important outcomes of this announcement is the sharp reduction in US tariffs on certain Indian goods, with rates reportedly dropping from…
DFSA Fines DIFC Reinsurance Broker Dh1.67Million for Misleading Conduct
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has imposed a financial penalty of US$455,176 (approximately Dh1.67 million) on Ed Broking (MENA) Limited, a reinsurance brokerage operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct in the course of its business. The enforcement action underscores the DFSA’s strict stance on transparency, integrity, and proper disclosure within the DIFC’s regulated…
UAE Warns Employers: Hiring Without a Valid Work Permit Is a Serious Legal Violation
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a firm compliance reminder to private sector employers: no individual may legally work in the UAE without a valid work permit issued through official channels. The announcement reinforces the country’s labour law framework and signals continued strict enforcement against illegal or improperly structured employment…
DIFC Zabeel District Expansion Signals Major Legal and Regulatory Growth in Dubai’s Financial Framework
Dubai’s announcement of the DIFC Zabeel District is not only a milestone in urban and financial development but also a significant evolution in the emirate’s legal and regulatory ecosystem. The expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is set to reshape the legal landscape governing financial services, innovation sectors, and cross-border business operations in the region. …