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Limits on expat bank transfers ‘under study’

May 3, 2013

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Jeddah, May 3: Saudi banks are considering limiting the amount of money expatriates send home, a bank official told Arab News. This is to comply with Ministry of Labor regulations being phased in as part of the Nitaqat program.

These regulations would see banks prevent expatriate workers from transferring sums more than their monthly income and freezing the accounts of workers who have not rectified their status.

However, Talat Hafiz, secretary-general of media and education for Saudi banks, told Arab News that banks have no intention to freeze accounts. “The banks cannot take such action. It is not their business to decide on these matters. The only party authorized to take such action is Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency,” he said.

“Saudi banks report to SAMA. So far we have not blocked anyone from opening an account, even those not licensed to work in the Kingdom.”

Adel Al-Hawwar, senior executive vice-chairman of retail banking at the National Commercial Bank, told Arab News that “it's unlikely that the banks will take this step at present. There is a system to protect wages, and it is meant to protect the rights of workers. It is also meant to ensure companies pay the salaries of workers as stated in their contracts.”

Hattab Al-Enezi, spokesman for the Ministry of Labor, told Arab News that the system of wage protection will start with large companies employing 3,000 employees and more. “Then we'll gradually move to companies that employ fewer people. Each company will be given two months to comply with the decision,” he said. “There is ongoing coordination between the Ministry of Labor and SAMA to keep checking on whether or not employers are complying with the regulations regarding worker payment and wage protection and other matters,” he added.

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News Network
May 5,2020

Abu Dhabi, May 5: The overall real GDP (gross domestic product) of the United Arab Emirates is estimated to have grown by 1.7 percent in 2019, the country’s central bank said in a statement on Monday carried by WAM.

"The UAE hydrocarbon sector is estimated to have exhibited a growth of 3.4 percent in 2019. However, non-oil activities advanced at a softer pace growing by 1.0 percent. As a result, overall real GDP is estimated by FCSA (Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority) to have grown by 1.7 percent in 2019," said the financial regulator in its Annual Report 2019.

"The spread of COVID-19 is expected to impact trade and supply chain movements, coupled with travel restrictions which paves way for high volatility in capital markets and commodity prices. While the outbreak is expected to negatively affect the global and domestic economies, it is still early to gauge the scale of the economic fallout," the report added.

The report noted that the higher hydrocarbon output, as well as growth in non-hydrocarbon economic activity, supported the pace of the country's overall economic growth in 2019.

"Meanwhile, the fading effect of VAT, the appreciating Dirham, lower energy prices and decline in rents pushed inflation in negative territory. However, the employment rate registered a steady rebound. Looking ahead, the economic outlook for 2020 remains uncertain owing to the COVID-19 outbreak," the report elaborated.

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KT
June 15,2020

Dubai, Jul 15: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of a 'New Media Academy in Dubai on Monday - a new institution that will train people on the science of digital media.

Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed said that new media is a new science that has its own set of special tools and secrets, and that the future cadres of UAE must be at the forefront of it.

"The academy will prepare new experts and managers in the field of communication in government and private institutions, as well as training professional social media influencers", Sheikh Mohammed tweeted, adding that the new media is providing new job opportunities and careers today, and will always be a main supporter in the journey of development.

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Agencies
August 2,2020

Kuwait, Aug 2: Kuwait has barred entry of foreign passengers from over 30 countries including India and China.

A circular from the Director General Civil Aviation, State of Kuwait directed all airlines operating at Kuwait International Airport to adhere to the instructions in this regard.

"Based on the decision of the Health Authority in State of Kuwait, no foreign passenger coming from the down listed countries will be allowed to enter the State of Kuwait," the circular read.

These include- India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colombia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Syria, Spain, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, North Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Beirut ,Serbia Montenegro, Dominican Republic and Kosovo.

The circular stated that such restriction will also include the passengers were present 14 days before the date of travel until further notice.

The ban was announced the same day Kuwait began a partial resumption of commercial flights according to Khaleej Times, which quoted authorities stating that Kuwait International Airport would run at about 30 per cent capacity from Saturday, gradually increasing in coming months.

According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, Kuwait has reported 67,448 cases of coronavirus while the fatalities related to the virus stand at 453.

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