Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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Saudi tourism says 66 islands ready for investment
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has announced that 66 islands are now ready for investment. Rustom Al-Kubaisi, head of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage branch in Jizan, said development on the uninhabited islands has started, according to Arab News.Al-Kubaisi said that the tourism income from Farasan Island during the Hareed
February 29, 2016
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UAE said to implement 5% VAT from Jan 1, 2018
The UAE is reportedly set to implement 5 percent VAT from January 1, 2018, with 150 food items, health and education exempted, a senior official was quoted as saying on Wednesday.Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs said the Gulf Cooperation Council resolution covering the tax will come into effect in 2018
February 26, 2016
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United Arab Emirates: In-country process available for work permit applicants
Immigration authorities in the United Arab Emirates have begun allowing foreign nationals to enter the country on short-stay visit visas and apply for work permits in country, as officials seek to alleviate processing delays associated with new work permit documentation requirements. What does the change mean? Foreign nationals may enter the UAE on short-stay visit visas
Indian expats in the UAE can get health insurance for families back home
Indian residents in the UAE can now provide health insurance for their families back home, reported The National newspaper. This is due to a collaboration between the UAE’s Aster DM Healthcare and RAK Insurance which offers policies costing between $61 (AED 225) and $1,034 (AED 3,800) a year for a primary member. The policies cover
Saudi and UAE ban citizens from travelling to Lebanon
Bahrain also joins travel ban after Saudi halted $4bn aid to Lebanon army in response to “hostile” Hezbollah positions. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon or avoid travelling there. The move on Tuesday came after Riyadh halted $4bn in aid to Lebanese security forces in response
Bahrain’s growing strength in attracting entrepreneurs
A stable and strong middle class – a population that is neither poor nor rich by national standards – is a major factor in the development of any economy. It serves as a promoter of educational attainment, a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation, and a source of trust and stability for businesses. That is where
Kuwait to lay off “unnecessary” expats
Kuwait’s state departments have been asked to lay off “unnecessary” expats by the end of the year, the Kuwait Times has reported.The move is one of many attempts to decrease the number of expats in the country, who make up 70 percent of thepopulation.The newspaper quoted government sources as saying the Cabinet also instructed governmental
February 22, 2016
Read more about Kuwait to lay off “unnecessary” expatsPost boxes offered for UAE villa communities
Residents in selected villa communities can now receive mail at their doorstep with the launch of Emirates Post Group’s “MyHome” service. Villa owners and tenants can apply to have a mailbox installed for free on their compound wall or near their main door by Emirates Post Group. The mailbox comes with separate compartments for incoming
February 19, 2016
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Japan takes ‘world’s tallest’ fight to Dubai
Japan has announced plans for constructing the world’s tallest building. The Sky Mile Tower would stand twice as tall as Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the current tallest building in the world. Sky Mile Tower will be 1,700-metre tall and able to accommodate 55,000 people in Tokyo Bay , an inlet southeast of the Japanese capital..
February 19, 2016
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