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Find out moreWelcome to this edition of Law Update, where we focus on the ever-evolving landscape of financial services regulation across the region. As the financial markets in the region continue to grow and diversify, this issue provides timely insights into the key regulatory developments shaping banking, investment, insolvency, and emerging technologies.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
Further to our recent alerts, by 25 October 2020, all entities who fall under the scope of Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020 on the regulation of the Procedures of the Real Beneficiary (“Resolution 58”), must provide their respective commercial registrars with details of their Real Beneficiaries and the Partners/ Shareholders, as per the registers they are required to prepare and maintain.
You should keep in mind that, apart from Abu Dhabi Global Market, Dubai International Financial Centre, wholly Federal or local government owned (or their wholly-owned subsidiaries or branches) or UAE securities market listed entities, all UAE entities fall under the scope of Resolution 58.
We recommend that you prepare the Real Beneficiaries, Partners / Shareholder and Directors registers at your earliest opportunity.
Although some authorities may need more time to start accepting the relevant information than the 25th October deadline, this remains the statutory deadline for the businesses to meet.
As far as sanctions for non-compliance with the Real Beneficiaries regime are concerned, the Cabinet shall issue a list of penalties, based on the proposal submitted by the Minister of Finance.
We would be delighted to advise if your entity is subject to this regime and, if so, help you identify your Real Beneficiaries and prepare the Real Beneficiaries, Partners / Shareholders, Directors registers required under Resolution 58 (in Arabic / English, as the case may be).
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