Latest news with #CabinetResolution
Arab Times
18-05-2025
- Arab Times
Retired Syrian soldier jailed 7 yrs in Kuwaiti nationality forgery
KUWAIT CITY, May 18: The Criminal Court sentenced a retired Syrian soldier to seven years in prison, fined him KD961,000 and dismissed him from his job for unlawfully getting his salary, pension and rent allowance; and attempting to obtain a residential plot by forging Kuwaiti citizenship, claiming he is related to a deceased citizen. The Public Prosecution had earlier charged the defendant with unlawfully receiving cash amounting to KD22,430 from the Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS); when he approached PIFSS employees and requested for pension based on forged documents: his civil identification and Kuwaiti nationality certificate, which falsely indicated that he is a Kuwaiti citizen. He also forced the institution to pay him a periodic pension, thereby enabling him to unlawfully obtain the aforementioned cash. Sources disclosed this crime was inextricably linked to another felony -- forgery of an official document related to the PIFSS database, as revealed in the investigations. Moreover, the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm) on Sunday published Decree No. 88/2025 revoking the Kuwaiti citizenship of 154 individuals and those who acquired the citizenship through them. This decree covers doctors, preachers, former athletes and media professionals who obtained citizenship based on the 'noble deeds' clause. Kuwait Al-Youm also published Cabinet Resolution No. 553, which revoked the Kuwaiti citizenship of three individuals and those who acquired the citizenship through them; under Article 21bis(A) of Nationality Law No. 15/1959 and its amendments, specifically the stipulations on forgery.
Iraqi News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
The Cabinet holds the 18th regular session, decisions included
The Cabinet held the 18th regular session on Tuesday chaired by PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, issuing several decisions and discussing the latest developments in the country alongside several files within the government's strategic plans. Based on the directives of the Prime Minister to support farmers and secure their financial dues, "it was approved that the Ministry of Finance pay the remaining amount of farmers' dues for the crop of the marketing for the marketing season (2024-2025)," according to the PM's media office statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. In the context of Iraq's support for the brotherly Arab countries, the Cabinet decided to donate to the Republic of Tunisia with 50 thousand tons of wheat, a gift from the Iraqi people to the brotherly Tunisian people. The Cabinet approved the signing of the Independent High Electoral Commission annexed with the South Korean company - MIRO, to equip the biometric cameras attached to the development parts of the verification agency "in the treatment of voters who do not appear on the day of polling, an exception to the provisions of the Cabinet Resolution (90 of 2009)." The Cabinet approved the exception of the Ministry of Defense by the Cabinet Resolution (24167 of 2024), provided that "the aforementioned ministry will put an introductory mark on the goods imported in its interest." The Cabinet agreed to amend its decision (24413 of 2024) regarding supporting the private industrial sector and the mechanism of land ownership for industrial projects to include estimating rental allowances for industrial projects according to the wage of the ideals and future cases, and the implementation of the decision of the Economic Affairs Committee issued on August 15th, 2022 to the projects established before the enforcement of the industrial investment law for the private and mixed sectors (20 of 1998). Within the government's procedures to complete the disposed and suspended projects, the Cabinet decided the following: 1. Enlisting component (the work of the heavy water treatment plant in the city and Al-Zubayr district in Basra Governorate/ the second stage), and the increase in the total cost of the main project (studies, designs, and implementation of networks and rainwater stations of 15 in (Khor Al-Zubair, Safwan, Abi Al-Khaseeb, Umm Qasr, Shatt al-Arab, Al-Dharath, Ezz El-Din Salim, Quranah, Al-Shahr, Al-Madinah, Al-Dair, and Al-Ghuraga). 2. Increase the amount of reserves and the total cost of the project contract to implement the sewage and rain sewage network in the Al-Najmi district center in Al-Muthanna Governorate. The statement pointed out that "the Cabinet authorized the Minister of Reconstruction and Housing the authority to send invitations to the companies that are limited to the implementation of the projects of the sewers (Al-Shuhaimah, Al-Dabouni, and Wasit) as an exception to the contracts of contracting in the instructions for implementing government contracts and their controls, and from the instructions to facilitate the implementation of the federal public budget law." The Cabinet agreed that "the Ministry of Oil continue to prepare the governorates for its need for oil products in the term, and the supreme body for coordination between the governorates and in coordination between the Ministry of Oil and the Governorates to be responsible for preparing a schedule that includes the debts resulting from the governorates resulting from preparing them with the mentioned products, and sending it to the Ministry of Finance to find the appropriate financial settlement." In the environmental regard and the removal of radiation pollutants, the statement clarified that "the comprehensive administration contract for the full life cycle of natural radioactive waste (NORM) in the oil and gas industry was approved throughout Iraq to start the process of removing radiation pollution." The Cabinet agreed that the Ministry of Justice implement projects (the construction of complexes of the judicial departments in Baghdad and the governorates), through investment and declaring an investment opportunity, and its exclusion from the Cabinet decision (189 of 2016) and (169 of 2022). The recommendation for the establishment of a limited, special company specialized in the field of energy has been approved that works to invest, implement, and operate energy projects with a first capital (250 billion dinars), which can be increased to produce energy, in the central region, and for any other party. In the electricity regard, the Cabinet authorized the Minister of Electricity or those who authorize it to sign the principles of cooperation for the energy program in Iraq. The Ministry of Electricity has been approved to provide electrical energy for the northern region by 150-300 megawatts. The Cabinet agreed to contract to equip the electrical energy for the northern region - the Iraqi-Turkish line, a carrot - Kisk 400 kV.
Shafaq News
30-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Controversy over Iraqi cancer drug imports: Libya Suspends Deputy PM
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah removed several officials from their roles in the Health Ministry over irregularities linked to the import of cancer treatment drugs. According to Al-Wasat, the decision followed reports that a shipment of oncology medication entered the country without the required authorization, in breach of Cabinet Resolution No. 963 of 2022, which grants sole import authority to the National Cancer Control Authority. Those suspended include Deputy Prime Minister Ramadan Abu Janah, Health Ministry Undersecretary Tofig Idris, Pharmacy Director Nadia Abu Subaa, Registration Head Nahed al-Makki, Local Tender Committee Chair Akram al-Fazzani, and Nursing Director Fatima al-Wafi. The move came shortly after Iraq announced the export of its first batch of domestically produced cancer drugs to Libya. The National Cancer Control Authority rejected the claim, maintaining that it procures medicines exclusively from certified suppliers in the United States and Europe. At a press briefing on April 29, Undersecretary Idris outlined the ministry's official procedures for ensuring the safety and quality of imported pharmaceuticals. The ministry also affirmed that all medications brought in through official channels undergo strict regulatory review and reiterated its responsibility for upholding public health standards. Later that day, the ministry confirmed that it had contracted a local firm to handle the import of the Iraqi-manufactured cancer drugs, following the earlier denial by the National Anti-Cancer Authority.
Iraqi News
08-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
The Cabinet holds the regular sessions, decisions included
The Cabinet held two regular sessions on Tuesday, during which it issued several decisions, including strengthening the role of governorates, granting governors powers and responsibilities in the electricity distribution sector, and approving funding for the objectives of the National Initiative for Energy Support and Emissions Reduction Policy. PM Al-Sudani chaired the 13th and 14th regular sessions of the Cabinet to compensate for the session postponed due to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, according to the PM's media office statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. The two sessions included discussions on the general situation in the country, follow-up on service and economic files, and progress on the government program, in addition to addressing items on the agenda and issuing relevant decisions. In support of educational staff and employees of the Ministry of Education, the Cabinet hosted the Head of the Teachers' Syndicate and issued a set of decisions, as follows: 1. Proceed with the distribution of residential plots for educational staff in Baghdad and the provinces, and establish a higher committee to implement the Prime Minister's directive—issued by the Higher Commission for Coordination between Governorates—approving the creation of housing districts for educational staff and employees of the Ministry of Education in Baghdad and the provinces, with the participation of the Teachers' Syndicate. 2. The Ministry of Finance shall disburse transportation allowances to educational supervisors, as allocated within the budget of each Directorate of Education. 3. The Ministry of Education shall allocate 100,000 dinars per semester to support school administration operations. 4. All provisions of the Law on the Protection of Teachers (Law No. 8 of 2018) shall be activated. 5. Survey remote schools and identify educational staff working in schools more than 100 km away from city centers; submit findings to the Ministry of Education for fair solutions. 6. The Ministry of Finance shall study the possibility of counting unpaid service years for the purposes of promotion and salary increases. 7. Educational staff shall be granted loans from state-owned banks at low interest rates to improve their living standards. In the framework of the government's housing projects, the Cabinet approved the exemption of land development projects for distribution to Ministry of Defense personnel—whose names are listed in Cabinet Resolution No. 245 of 2019, as amended by Resolution No. 23374 of 2023—from the relevant restrictions. This includes all lands previously owned by the Ministry of Defense, whether now inside or outside municipal boundaries. To support the private sector, the Cabinet approved an amendment to Cabinet Resolution No. 24413 of 2024 concerning support for the private industrial sector and the mechanism for granting land titles for industrial projects. The amendment ensures that monthly fuel allocations for industrial and construction projects will not be suspended, except in specific cases verified by the Ministry of Oil, including product smuggling, failure to resolve tax obligations or settle government dues, violations recorded by regulatory or inspection bodies, and environmental violations. The resolution also maintains a one-month annual maintenance shutdown for safe project operations and mandates that all industrial and construction projects receive fuel quotas as determined by the Ministry of Oil based on availability. During the session, the Cabinet approved a recommendation to extend the ban on importing juices, soft drinks, and pastries by continuing the implementation of Cabinet Resolution No. 23571 of 2023 for a period of six months. Local producers of these items must submit product protection applications within this period according to applicable laws, after which the resolution will no longer be in effect. As part of its environmental protection efforts, the Cabinet approved the insertion of a provision into the Environmental Standards Instructions for Project Establishment and Monitoring (Instruction No. 3 of 2011) allowing the Prime Minister to grant exemptions from those instructions based on a recommendation from the Minister of Environment. The Cabinet also reviewed the progress of development and service projects and approved several related decisions: 1. Include the works for designing and constructing a 45 km pipeline to accommodate imported gas through the floating platform and connect it to the national grid as a component within the project (Fuel Delivery for Industrial and Power Projects) and increase the total project cost. 2. Include the dry gas pipeline works as a component in the project (Completion of Anbar Combined Cycle Power Plant/ under the Framework Agreement with China) and increase the total project cost. 3. Increase the total cost of the Eastern Jazira Irrigation Project, establish a new component for executing Contract No. 26 of 2009, and proceed with the contract to construct the project's main feed canal. 4. Increase the total cost and contingency allocation for the contract (Supply and Implementation of the Right-Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant in Mosul). 5. Increase the contingency and total cost for projects: (Rehabilitation of Al-Tahrir Street in Al-Samawah), (Rehabilitation of the Southern Entrance to Al-Samawah), and (Rehabilitation of Al-Sharakiyah Streets and remaining streets in District 36 and New Professors' District in Al-Samawah). The Cabinet also approved the bill on Iraq's ratification of the Air Services Agreement between the Governments of Iraq and the Czech Republic and referred it to the Council of Representatives by the Constitution. As part of efforts to empower provinces in the electricity distribution sector, the Cabinet approved measures to strengthen the role of provinces in electricity production, granting governors the following authorities: 1. Undertake necessary procedures to install hybrid solar power units near transmission and distribution stations in districts and sub-districts, with capacities ranging from 10 to 30 megawatts per site, to enhance electricity supply and reduce demand pressure. 2. Implement the installation of household hybrid solar systems with a capacity of at least 5 kilowatts, and batteries of no less than 10 kilowatt-hours, to ease the burden on citizens and enhance power provision—at a cost lower than that of private generator subscriptions. The Cabinet also approved funding to support the objectives of the National Initiative to Promote Energy and Reduce Emissions, previously endorsed by the Cabinet. This includes afforestation efforts and sustainability projects currently under implementation by the designated authority. In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of the 20-inch dry gas pipeline project to the Al-Dibis Gas Power Plant. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved converting the contract model for the Kirkuk-based Hydrogenation and Gasoline Improvement Unit (12,000 barrels per day) from a BOO (Build-Own-Operate) to a BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model, with a processing fee set at $23 per barrel. The Cabinet reviewed the progress of energy sector projects and approved an eight-month extension to the closure period specified in Resolution No. 24249 of 2024 regarding the sovereign guarantee for the Al-Khairat Thermal Power Plant, in line with the contract signed with the implementing company. The extension is effective from the date the guarantee is received, with financial dues to be paid to the investor following the commencement of commercial operations. In support of domestic industry, the Cabinet approved the following measures to protect national products: 1. Revise the estimated customs valuation for solid soap recorded by the General Commission of Customs to 2 million dinars per ton, up from 528,000 dinars per ton. 2. Impose an additional customs duty of 20% on imported soap products from all countries for four years. 3. Instruct the Ministry of Finance to regularly notify the Ministry of Industry of import volumes and collected additional duties, taking into account the increase in imports and the complainant company's capacity to meet domestic demand without causing price inflation. To support the private sector and address the challenges faced by contractors, the Cabinet approved the following: 1. Issue 5 trillion IQD in treasury bonds with a 10% interest rate to cover payments for completed investment plan projects in the 2025 budget. 2. Engaging contracting authorities and the Ministry of Planning regarding pending dues to contractors and companies, to be presented to the Economic Ministerial Council. 3. Form a committee led by the Ministry of Planning to review the Contractors Union's request for recognizing digitized versions of contracts as official originals at the governorate level. 4. Simplify the implementation of Council of Minister Resolution No. 301 of 2021 by relying on oversight audits conducted by the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, as present in the contracting entities. 5. Recognize the Iraqi Contractors Union as the official representative of contractors in all relevant governmental committees and forums. 6. Unify Ministry of Planning fees related to project advertisements, bidding, and award procedures. 7. Consult the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on the handling of labor insurance deductions under the deduction-and-transfer system, ensuring that contractors are not subject to penalties and that previously imposed fines are canceled. The Cabinet also approved combining technical survey work with demining contracts into a single agreement as an exception to government contracting regulations. As part of continued government support for the sports sector, the Council approved an exemption for Plot No. (3/7259, District 3 Waziriya)—measuring 25 donums and allocated to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Club from the provisions of Council of Minister Resolution No. 169 of 2022. The land will be used to construct an international-standard stadium and a sports-commercial complex to help the club generate sustainable revenues. The Cabinet also approved the draft law ratifying the agreement between the Republic of Iraq and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of air transport and referred the bill to the Council of Representatives for legislative action.
The National
07-04-2025
- Business
- The National
UAE issues corporate tax rules for foreign investors and entities
The UAE has announced rules that will make a non-resident or juridical entity liable to pay corporate tax in the country, as it seeks to remain competitive globally and ease the compliance burden for foreign investors. The Ministry of Finance issued Cabinet Resolution No 35 of 2025 determining the relationship of a non-resident person in the UAE for the purposes of Federal Decree-Law No 47 of 2022, regarding corporate and business tax. The new resolution defines the cases in which a non-resident legal person, who is an investor in a qualifying investment (QIF) fund or a real estate investment trust (Reit), has a link in the UAE and is, therefore, subject to tax. 'The resolution lays out the rules for when non-resident natural or juridical persons are taxable in the UAE,' said David Daly, a partner at the Gulf Tax Accounting Group in the UAE and a columnist for The National. 'The UAE is belatedly handing a three-edged sword to foreign investors. One side is the certainty of this Cabinet decision and general recognition of the requirement to raise tax revenue. The second is balancing that requirement against remaining internationally competitive in what today is an incredibly fluid global marketplace. 'The final side is the floating anchor. From what date does this law apply? If it's June 2023, when corporation tax launched, then the ship has sailed as decisions have long been made. If it's the date the law was issued, then good. There is time to review and reconsider. The bad? How many more of these decisions are coming? And covering what?' The UAE introduced the federal corporate tax with a standard statutory rate of 9 per cent starting from the financial year beginning on or after June 1, 2023. It brought the income of companies exceeding Dh375,000 ($102,100) within the taxable bracket. Taxable profits below that level will be subject to a tax of 0 per cent. The Ministry of Finance also confirmed in 2023 that business owners in the country would be subject to corporate tax only if their turnover in a calendar year exceeds Dh1 million, ensuring that only business or business-related activity income is taxed. The new decision clarifies when a non-resident juridical investor in a QIF or Reit is considered to have a link in the UAE, thus becoming subject to taxation under Federal Decree-Law No 47 of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses. This follows the earlier issuance of Cabinet Decision No 34 of 2025, which focused on QIFs and qualifying limited partnerships. Under the new decision, a link for a non-resident juridical investor in a QIF will arise under two circumstances. If the QIF distributes 80 per cent or more of its income within nine months from the end of its financial year, the link is established on the date of the dividend distribution. Alternatively, the link arises on the date the ownership interest is acquired if the QIF fails to distribute at least 80 per cent of its income within the same period. Additionally, a link will be created if the QIF fails to meet the diversity of ownership conditions during the tax period in which the failure occurs. For Reits, a similar rule applies. A link is established either on the date of the dividend distribution, if 80 per cent or more of income is distributed within nine months from the end of the financial year, or on the date of ownership acquisition if the Reit does not distribute at least 80 per cent of its income within the specified timeframe. Except in the above cases, a non-resident legal person investing in a QIF and/or Reit will no longer have a taxable presence in the UAE, the law stated. Dhruv Tanna, associate vice president at DIFC-based investment and wealth management firm PhillipCapital, said the decision provided 'much-needed clarity' to non-resident investors in QIFs and Reits regarding their potential tax exposure in the UAE under the corporate tax regime. 'By defining the circumstances in which a nexus is created, this decision distinguishes between passive, diversified investments and structures that either concentrate on UAE real estate or lack sufficient distribution or ownership diversity,' he said. 'Specifically, triggering events – such as failure to distribute 80 per cent of income within nine months or breaching diversity thresholds – serve as practical indicators of when a non-resident investor's involvement becomes sufficiently substantial to warrant tax treatment akin to a domestic presence.' Mr Tanna said this approach aligned with international principles of economic substance and demonstrates the UAE's efforts to maintain competitiveness while meeting global tax transparency standards. It also provides assurance that compliant investment vehicles, particularly those used for genuine portfolio diversification, will not be unintentionally caught in the corporate tax net, he explained. 'Furthermore, the decision reduces ambiguity around tax liability timelines by clearly anchoring nexus creation to either the dividend distribution date or the acquisition date, depending on compliance status,' Mr Tanna added. "This is particularly relevant for cross-border tax planning, fund structuring and Reit disclosures. 'Overall, Cabinet Decision No 35 reinforces the UAE's commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with its reputation as an attractive, low-barrier investment hub – especially for institutional investors seeking certainty and regulatory sophistication.'
