logo
Tourism violations in Bahrain

Tourism violations in Bahrain

Daily Tribune20-04-2025

Government inspections uncover 224 breaches in Manama's Fourth Constituency
Inspectors flagged 224 breaches at tourist establishments across Manama's Fourth Constituency, with 119 cases resulting in closures, licence suspensions or written warnings, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The figures came in reply to a parliamentary question from MP Hassan Bukhammas, who had asked about the number of tourist facilities operating in the area, how many licence requests had been made and approved, how often inspections were carried out, and how many staff were handling them. Since the start of the current legislative term in 2022, the Ministry said it had carried out 701 inspections in the constituency.
These included regular visits, surprise checks and joint campaigns with other bodies including the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the General Directorate of Traffic and Civil Defence. Inspectors looked into licences, business records, building use, safety, cleanliness and labour conditions. Facilities Tourism-related facilities in the area include 42 hotels, 116 restaurants and 52 furnished flats rented on a daily or weekly basis. Since 2022, the Ministry has received 135 requests for tourism licences from establishments in the constituency.
Of these, 108 were approved. The Ministry currently has 16 inspectors and enforcement officers on its books and plans to add more, working with the Civil Service Bureau. Procedures This follows Decree No. 82 of 2023 which split licensing and inspection work at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) in a bid to tidy up procedures.
Breaches logged by inspectors covered a range of issues including unpaid hotel service charges, failure to submit audited accounts, letting out space without permission, running venues without written approval and altering activities beyond what the licence allows. Some tourist restaurants were also caught ignoring permitted working hours. Once a breach is recorded, the person in charge of the venue is called in to answer questions from enforcement staff.
Findings Depending on the findings, cases are either passed to the Public Prosecution or dealt with by administrative order or both. Action is taken under Decree-Law No. 15 of 1986 which covers tourism rules. The Ministry's response ended with a short note of thanks to the MP and an expression of readiness to continue working with Parliament on the matter

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwait To Cut Off Utilities For Unpaid Bills Under New Law To Curb Debt Evasion
Kuwait To Cut Off Utilities For Unpaid Bills Under New Law To Curb Debt Evasion

Gulf Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Gulf Insider

Kuwait To Cut Off Utilities For Unpaid Bills Under New Law To Curb Debt Evasion

Kuwaiti authorities will begin suspending electricity, water, and other essential public services to residents and businesses who fail to pay their bills within 30 days of notice, under a tough new law designed to crack down on rampant fee evasion and protect state finances. The Cabinet-approved Decree-Law No. 75 of 2025, published this week, grants ministries and public institutions the power to halt services automatically for anyone with overdue balances, using digital systems to manage both suspensions and reconnections. The law takes effect in three months. The measure targets widespread abuse in the payment of public utility fees, from water and electricity to telecommunications, as mounting arrears have placed increasing strain on state budgets. Under the new framework, debtors, whether individuals or businesses, will have 30 days after notification to settle outstanding bills or risk automatic suspension. Service is restored immediately once payment is made. For those facing genuine financial hardship, competent authorities may approve installment plans. But failure to stick to the schedule triggers immediate debt recovery procedures, including asset liens and fast-tracked enforcement. Before resorting to court, the law now requires disgruntled customers to file a written grievance with the service provider, which must respond within 30 days. Only then can the case be taken to court, a step officials say will reduce frivolous lawsuits and administrative backlogs. The decree goes further by granting government agencies a priority lien over all debtor assets, and by treating any official debt document as an 'executive instrument,' meaning authorities can seize assets without lengthy court proceedings. Debts can be collected for up to 10 years after their due date, with the clock resetting each time the state sends an official demand. Judicial fees are exempt from the new law and remain subject to separate legislation.

Shura panel holds 36 meetings to scrutinise budget and tax bills
Shura panel holds 36 meetings to scrutinise budget and tax bills

Daily Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Daily Tribune

Shura panel holds 36 meetings to scrutinise budget and tax bills

Thirty-six meetings kept Shura's Financial and Economic Affairs Committee busy during its latest legislative session, with much of its attention fixed on the 2025–2026 state budget and a series of economic bills. Eight of those sittings were held jointly with members of the Council of Representatives and the government, as the two chambers worked through the details of the upcoming national budget. According to figures compiled by the Council's General Secretariat, the committee examined two decree-laws, reviewed 11 draft bills, and assessed four sets of final accounts and financial statements. Sixteen reports were completed and forwarded to the Council Bureau for inclusion in public sittings. It also issued five economic and financial opinions related to draft legislation examined by other panels, as permitted under Article 21 of the Council's internal rules. Among the decree-laws reviewed was Decree-Law No. 19 of 2023, amending the legislation that established the Bahrain National Oil Company in 1999. The second, Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024, introduced measures for taxing multinational enterprises operating in the country. The committee's work on draft legislation included a proposed amendment to Article 1 of the 2006 law concerning the Future Generations Reserve Fund. It also reviewed Bahrain's agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong to prevent double taxation and deter tax avoidance. Further bills addressed a revised agreement for the second stage of the Al Dur water transmission project, a draft law on taxing outward remittances from expats, and a consolidated proposal combining two versions of that same tax. Amendments to the 1987 Commercial Law were also considered, along with the proposed 2025–2026 budget law and revisions to the 1977 legislation on development bonds. The committee also studied a draft law ratifying Bahrain's agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to fund the new 400 kV Jasra Power Station, changes to the 2016 law on standards and metrology, and the proposed Secured Transactions Law. On matters of public finance, the committee reviewed the state's final accounts for the financial years ending December 2022 and 2023, along with implementation reports for the same period. It examined the Ministry of Finance's statements on budget transfers across government bodies. The audited financial statements of the Shura Council for 2024 were also reviewed, together with the 2023 financial report for the Unemployment Insurance Account, as approved by the Social Insurance Organisation's board. Two legislative proposals were also on the agenda. The first, submitted by Lina Habib, Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, Hala Ramzi, and Hesham Al Qassab, sought changes to the 2012 Consumer Protection Law. The second, put forward by Dr Fatima Al Kooheji, Dr Mohammed Ali, Redha Faraj, Hala Ramzi, and Ijlal Isa Bubshait, called for the removal of Article 14 from the 1987 Commercial Law.

Ministry of Economy awards second collective music management licence to Music Nation
Ministry of Economy awards second collective music management licence to Music Nation

Syyaha

time6 days ago

  • Syyaha

Ministry of Economy awards second collective music management licence to Music Nation

The UAE Ministry of Economy granted its second collective music management licence to 'Music Nation' during a ceremony held at its headquarters in Dubai. The licence authorises the organisation to manage the distribution of rights on behalf of music creators and performers, while also ensuring nationwide compliance among music platforms. The announcement was made during an event attended by Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, and Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Under-Secretary for Intellectual Property. The Ministry confirmed that the licence was issued in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 concerning copyright and related rights. It marks the continuation of the Ministry's efforts to strengthen intellectual property frameworks in the UAE, following the first collective management licence awarded to the Emirates Music Rights Association in April 2025. Al Saleh said, 'Under the vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has placed strategic emphasis on enhancing the competitiveness of its cultural and creative industries, driving their growth both regionally and globally. Recognising their vital role in national economic growth, we are committed to fostering public-private collaboration to cultivate an enabling environment for talent and innovation. By elevating the creative economy's legislative framework to world-class standards, we aim to expand the private sector's participation in it, in line with the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031.' The Under-Secretary said in his speech, 'The Ministry remains committed to establishing a world-class copyright governance system, drawing on international best practices. We are achieving this through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, fostering investment in creative sectors, and implementing robust collective management systems. These measures safeguard intellectual property rights while building creators' trust in the nation's creative ecosystem.' 'The collective music management licence serves as a catalyst for cultural innovation while safeguarding artists' intellectual property rights. Through establishing transparent revenue distribution systems and fair compensation mechanisms, it elevates the UAE's music industry – enhancing its global competitiveness and positioning our nation as a premier hub for creative enterprises,' he added. Al Saleh emphasised that awarding the licence to 'Music Nation' marks a strategic milestone in the UAE's commitment to fostering creativity. The initiative unlocks new opportunities for artists, writers, and producers while strengthening rights protection and leveraging creative-economy tools – ultimately positioning the sector as a key driver of national economic growth. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini said, 'Our music industry is witnessing remarkable growth, fuelled by an expanding ecosystem of creative enterprises and world-class events. Dubai alone boasts 350 live music venues, while the national streaming market generated US$841.9 million in 2024 – projected to nearly triple to US$2.3 billion by 2030. To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Economy is prioritising robust legislative frameworks that will further catalyse the creative economy and foster artistic innovation.' He added, 'Building on last month's inaugural licence granted to the Emirates Music Rights Association, today marks another significant milestone with the official authorisation of Music Nation. We are actively collaborating with local and global partners, including industry associations and legal experts, to share best practices that drive sector growth. In tandem, we're expanding awareness initiatives to ensure artists, composers, and producers fully leverage these licences to protect both their creative works and financial interests.' 'Today marks a pivotal moment for the UAE and Music Nation,' said Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Music Nation. 'After years of careful planning, Music Nation is positioned to become a cornerstone of music licensing, empowering the Emirates' vibrant creative industry. ''As an Emarati, I am honoured to establish a world-class music rights infrastructure that not only elevates local artists to greater heights, but also showcases our rich musical heritage and cultural traditions to the world. In partnership with industry leaders BMI and SoundExchange, our cutting-edge technology and services will protect music rights holders and propel the UAE's music economy to new frontiers,' she added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store