The UAE has announced public holidays for the end of this year and the entire 2024.
While dates have been set for National Day 2023, the Cabinet has also revealed dates for major holidays throughout next year. The news included dates for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha as well as next year’s National Day celebrations.
Elsewhere, the UAE and Qatar were featured on a list of 54 countries now offered visa-free travel to China.
In Saudi Arabia major income tax reforms are underway and authorities are considering strategies to raise revenue in the country.
Elsewhere, Kuwait unveiled new year plans, Oman offered citizenship to expats and Dubai released details of a major Metro upgrade.
It has been a busy week in the Gulf, catch up with 10 of the biggest stories as selected by Arabian Business editors.
UAE announces public holidays for 2024
The UAE has announced official public holiday dates for 2024.
The announcement came following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The details include holidays for the public and private sector and include occasions such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.
As part of the Cabinet’s ongoing efforts to enhance the organisation of work in government and private sectors, the resolution aims to enable all community members working in various sectors in the UAE, as well as families, to plan ahead for holidays, travel and personal activities.
China offers visa-free travel to UAE, Qatar and 52 other countries
The UAE and Qatar are on a list of 54 countries offered visa-free travel to China.
China has extended its 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies to visitors from 54 countries, with Norway being the latest addition, according to an official from the National Immigration Administration (NIA). Visitors from these countries, include 40 in Europe, six in Asia and four in South America.
The approved countries can now travel or conduct business in permitted areas under the transit visa exemptions, said the NIA’s Mao Xu at the China International Travel Mart 2023 in Kunming.
Saudi Arabia begins ‘significant’ income tax reform: Everything you need to know
“The proposed law represents a significant reform, aiming to modernise the tax system in line with global best practices,” Jean Abboud, Partner and Head of KSA at BSA Legal, told Arabian Business.
Key changes under consideration include more stringent residency rules, expanded tax bases, and alignment with international standards on issues like transfer pricing and preferential tax regimes.
UAE announces 3-day weekend public holiday for all
The UAE has announced a three-day weekend holiday for private sector workers across the country.
Ministries governing both the public and private sector announced details of holidays for workers.
Oman grants citizenship to over 200 expats
Oman has granted citizenship to more than 200 expats living in the Sultanate.
The announcement came following an official royal decree.
Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued Royal Decree No 2023/83 granting citizenship to a total of 201 expatriates.
Sharjah to change rules for single people living in residential areas
The emirate’s Executive Council met on Tuesday to discussed a number of topics related to the conduct of government work in the emirate, the development of services, and the follow-up of development projects in different sectors.
The Council reviewed a report on singles’ housing in residential neighbourhoods in cities and regions in the emirate, which included the current status of the legislative structure regulating housing in neighbourhoods, singles’ housing social, economic and security impacts.
New UAE alcohol delivery app CityDrinks announces Abu Dhabi launch
“We procured two important licenses which align with our goal to maintain control of our destiny and broaden consumer choice,” Szymura said, highlighting the efficiency and supportiveness of the emirate’s government, particularly the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in the process.
The import and distribution license now allows CityDrinks to offer a diverse selection, breaking free from restrictive agreements, he added.
Kuwait announces 4-day New Year holiday
Kuwait has announced a four-day public holiday for New Year.
Kuwait has set Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1 as public holidays marking the occasion of the New Year, the cabinet said on Monday.
With weekends in the country falling on a Friday and Saturday, it means employees in the country can look forward to a four-day weekend.
Sheikh Mohammed warns UAE officials to improve performance or face sack
The UAE has announced the best and worst government service centres in the country.
While the best were recognised with a six-star rating in an official review, the worst-performing centres will be given 60 days to improve or officials may lose their jobs. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the 2023 evaluation of results of the Government Global Star Rating System for Services in the UAE.
Sheikh Mohammed noted that the worst-performing centres were given a 60-day grace period to improve service quality, with a second evaluation to be conducted after that period to decide on whether to make changes in the management teams at these centres.
Sheikh Mohammed announces $5bn Dubai Metro Blue Line: First train over Creek, property boost, 30km new track, new-look stations
Dubai Metro Blue Line has been officially approved and will open in 2029.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai announced the largest public transport project in the city, saying it will cost AED18bn ($4.9bn) to complete and will help transport billions of passengers around the city.
The 30km line will feature 14 stations and the first train crossing over the Dubai Creek.
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