Latest news with #MinisterialResolution
Observer
2 days ago
- Health
- Observer
Health ministry unveils ad norms for medicines
To enhance public health safeguards and ensure ethical, accurate representation of pharmaceutical products, the Ministry of Health on Sunday issued Ministerial Resolution No 135/2025, which specifies the conditions and procedures for advertising or promoting medicines. The resolution bans advertising or promoting medicines by any entity other than pharmaceutical companies, local agents, or pharmaceutical consulting offices, with the exception of scientific offices, unless they have obtained prior authorisation from the Drug Safety Centre (DSC). To obtain a licence, the medicine must be officially registered and that the advertisement content be consistent with the internal leaflet and the Summary of Drug Properties (SmPC) specifying the target groups for the advertisement. According to the decision, the advertisement must also adhere to public order and public morals and be free of any content that could harm public health or contain misleading information, exaggerations or insults to other medicines in accordance with the DSC's approved advertising guide. The DSC allows a period not exceeding 60 days to review and decide on the licence application. Failure to respond within this period shall be considered a rejection of the application. In case of missing documents or information, the applicant will be notified and given 30 days to complete the missing information, otherwise, the application will be cancelled. The applicant may submit a new application 30 days after the date of the rejection decision. The licence term is set at 3 months, renewable with the same conditions. The renewal application must be submitted at least 20 days before the licence expires. The decision allows for the submission of a grievance to the Minister of Health within 60 days of the rejection decision. A decision must be made within 30 days. Failure to decide within this period constitutes a rejection of the grievance. The DSC also has the right to suspend the licence if health risks or the drug's ineffectiveness are identified.
Observer
2 days ago
- Health
- Observer
MoH bans unauthorized medicine commercials
Muscat: The Ministry of Health on Sunday issued Ministerial Resolution No 135/2025, which specifies the conditions and procedures for advertising or promoting medicines. The resolution bans advertising or promoting medicines by any entity other than pharmaceutical companies, local agents, or pharmaceutical consulting offices, with the exception of scientific offices, unless they have obtained prior authorization from the Drug Safety Centre (DSC). In order to obtain a license, the resolution requires that the medicine be officially registered and that the advertisement content be consistent with the internal leaflet and the Summary of Drug Properties (SmPC) specifying the target groups for the advertisement. According to the decision, the advertisement must also adhere to public order and public morals and be free of any content that could harm public health or contain misleading information, exaggerations or insults to other medicines in accordance with the DSC's approved advertising guide. The DSC allows a period not exceeding 60 days to review and decide on the license application. Failure to respond within this period shall be considered a rejection of the application. In case of missing documents or information, the applicant will be notified and given 30 days to complete the missing information, otherwise the application will be cancelled. The applicant may submit a new application 30 days after the date of the rejection decision. The license term is set at 3 months, renewable with the same conditions. The renewal application must be submitted at least 20 days before the license expires. The decision allows for the submission of a grievance to the Minister of Health within 60 days of the rejection decision. A decision must be made within 30 days. Failure to decide within this period constitutes a rejection of the grievance. The DSC also has the right to suspend the license if health risks or the drug's ineffectiveness are identified.
Observer
27-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman launches national company to regulate mineral exports and boost revenues
MUSCAT: In a significant move to optimise the economic potential of its mineral wealth, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals has announced the establishment of Oman Minerals Trading Company as the central authority to oversee the marketing and export of mineral resources from the Sultanate of Oman. The initiative is formalised through Ministerial Resolution No 18/2025, issued by Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. The resolution marks a key step in reforming the mineral management system and aligns with Oman Vision 2040's goal of sustainable, diversified economic growth. It aims to address existing structural challenges in the mineral sector — such as fragmented marketing, price instability and the dominance of intermediaries — by centralising export control under a national entity. KEY PROVISIONS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND MARKET STABILITY Under the new regulation, gypsum and chrome ore exports will be strictly monitored. Export of raw chrome ore will require a minimum concentration of 36%, while processed ore can be exported at any concentration upon Ministry approval. Local market needs will be prioritised before exports are approved, a policy that supports domestic manufacturing and ensures stability in local supply chains. The regulation also seeks to standardise contracts, enhance negotiation leverage with international buyers and improve pricing transparency for Omani ores — factors that have historically impacted competitiveness despite strong production levels. In 2024 alone, Oman produced about 14 million tons of gypsum across 15 licensed sites and 300,000 tonnes of chrome ore from 29 licensees. However, revenue gains have been diluted by inconsistent marketing and a lack of pricing discipline. STRATEGIC ROLE OF OMAN MINERALS TRADING COMPANY As a subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman, the new trading firm will manage exports, unify contract terms, enforce quality specifications and negotiate international sales. This professionalised approach is expected to lift the average price of Omani minerals and boost national income. Dr Salah bin Hafiz al Dhahab, Director General of Investments at the Ministry, described the move as a 'pivotal milestone,' adding that it enables the government to streamline the export process, reduce price manipulation and better monitor sectoral returns. The decision is also designed to: a. Improve the efficiency of logistics and export operations. b. Increase transparency and curb rent-seeking behaviour. c. Support SMEs involved in supply chains. d. Create more jobs and promote local content through in-country value (ICV) initiatives. The resolution falls under the Ministry's broader 'Majd' initiative, which aims to evaluate and enhance local content across the energy and minerals sectors. Companies will be required to submit ICV plans and support domestic manufacturing activities that add value to raw mineral exports. ONE-YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD To ensure a smooth shift, a one-year transitional period has been granted. During this time, companies can conclude existing contracts and adapt to the new system. The Ministry also plans to conduct orientation and training workshops to support stakeholders and build internal capacity. Dr Al Dhahab emphasised that the transformation reflects the Ministry's broader institutional reform following the merger of energy and minerals portfolios. 'With clearer policies, enhanced geological databases and improved investor privileges, we are creating a transparent and regulated business environment that meets the goals of Oman Vision 2040,' he noted. By streamlining mineral exports and empowering a centralised entity, Oman aims to attract more reliable investments, strengthen national industries and secure better returns from its abundant mineral resources.
Arab Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Tightens Enforcement on Family Visa Rules for Expats
KUWAIT CITY, May 26: Under the latest ministerial decision, the Kuwaiti Residence Affairs Investigations Department has recently summoned dozens of expatriates for violating family visa regulations. The violators were granted a one-month grace period to either regularize their status or return their families to their home countries. The move targets expatriates who initially met the KD 800 salary requirement and secured family visas (Article 22) for their spouses and children, but later fell short of income. While their initial applications were approved based on valid work permits and salaries exceeding KD 800, subsequent job changes or salary reductions placed them in breach of the updated visa conditions. The source emphasized that the KD 800 salary requirement was implemented based on studies ensuring that expatriates can provide a decent standard of living for their dependents. The Interior Ministry has clarified that all expatriates, regardless of nationality or educational qualification, can apply for family visas, provided they meet the salary condition. According to the source, the government's automated systems are key in detecting fraudulent transactions and cross-verifying data across departments such as the General Directorate of Residency Affairs and the General Traffic Department. The updated rules stem from Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024, initially introduced in January by First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah. The resolution initially required applicants to earn at least KD 800, hold a university degree, and work in a profession matching their qualifications. However, an amendment in July 2024 allowed expatriates without degrees to bring in their families, provided their salary met the KD 800 threshold. Under Article 29 of the amended regulation, family residency can only be granted to those earning no less than KD 800 per month from work related to their designated profession. Exceptions may be granted for children under five or those born inside Kuwait, subject to the discretion of the Director General of Residency Affairs.
Arab Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
PAI withdraws 22 industrial & craft plots violating rules
KUWAIT CITY, May 18: The Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI), chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel, decided to withdraw 22 industrial and craft plots during its meeting on Sunday. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), PAI confirmed the issuance of a decision to withdraw seven industrial plots and 15 craft plots from the beneficiaries who violated the terms and conditions for the distribution of such plots. The authority pointed out that the decision is based on the recommendation of the Permanent Committee for Industrial Violations. It revealed that the violations committed by the plot owners include closure of the plot, not operating the factory, failure to operate the factory within the specified period, lack of seriousness in implementing the industrial or craft project as there are no workers and work has been halted on the plot for some time, and some have not utilized the licensed plot. Meanwhile, Al-Ajeel granted judicial police powers to 37 male and female employees at the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate crimes committed in violation of the provisions of Law No. 7/2020 on establishing CMA and regulating securities activities, its executive regulations and their amendments. Ministerial Resolution No. 95/2025, published in the Official Gazette (Kuwait Al-Youm), stipulates the expanded duties of employees covered by the resolution to include entering the headquarters of companies operating in the securities sector, headquarters of stock exchanges or any other entity located there; and reviewing the records, books, documents, data, recordings, computer systems or any other data storage or data processing media at the headquarters of the aforementioned entities or at any other entity in their possession or under their control. Moreover, Al-Ajeel outlined the rules for delegating Ministry of Commerce and Industry employees to positions that fall under the concept of 'attached to representative missions abroad.' Ministerial Resolution No. 97/2025 stipulates the termination of the provisions of Ministerial Resolution Nos. 506/2012 and 425/2019 referred hereto; and all secondment decisions issued in implementation of their provisions shall be deemed to have expired 45 days after the date of the issuance of the resolution on Sunday.
