Zeina Albuainain

Real Estate & Construction and Hotels & Leisure

Real estate, construction, and hospitality are at the forefront of transformation across the Middle East – reshaping cities, driving investment, and demanding increasingly sophisticated legal frameworks.

In the June edition of Law Update, we take a closer look at the legal shifts influencing the sector – from Dubai’s new Real Estate Investment Funds Law and major reforms in Qatar, to Bahrain’s push toward digitalisation in property and timeshare regulation. We also explore practical issues around strata, zoning, joint ventures, and hotel management agreements that are critical to navigating today’s market.

As the landscape becomes more complex, understanding the legal dynamics behind these developments is key to making informed, strategic decisions.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

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.

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Zeina Albuainain

Associate

Biography

Zeina is a dual-qualified Associate based in our Bahrain office, specialising in the Digital & Data practice. She has extensive expertise in data protection, outsourcing, marketing and advertising, online transactions, consumer protection, telecommunications, and media. She has a distinguished track record of advising on the launch of innovative technology products and services in Bahrain.

Zeina actively engages in regulatory affairs, serving as a liaison between clients and key regulatory bodies in the tech, media and telecom industry. She is a regular contributor to the firm’s Law Update publications and has authored numerous articles on contemporary topics, including AI and IoT.

Zeina is a Certified Information Privacy Professional in European law (CIPP/E) and a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). She recently completed a secondment at a globally recognised telecom brand in the UAE, where she assisted in implementing a privacy programme. Currently, she is on a part-time secondment at a major US-based cloud computing company, focusing on public sector transactions.

Recent Experience

Advised Citibank N.A. on the sale of its retail business in Bahrain, focusing on data privacy and information security aspects of the transaction.
Conducted an extensive assessment and feasibility study on the legal frameworks governing the delivery of telecommunications and IoT services in Bahrain for a leading German automotive corporation.
Advised a prominent cloud computing platform on the deployment of its content delivery network (CDN) and the provision of cloud services in Bahrain, addressing regulatory and compliance requirements.
Performed a detailed data protection gap analysis a leading financial institution in the MENA region, including a revamp of its privacy documentation.
Advised a prominent Korean-based multinational automotive manufacturer on the roll-out of its connected car services in Bahrain. This encompassed a holistic review of each connected feature against various regulatory frameworks, including telematics, traffic laws, IoT, and privacy.
Advised a major communications company on telecom licensing and related compliance requirements concerning the provision of satellite-based internet services in Bahrain.
Advised a major American multinational technology company on the launch of its Video On Demand and Live streaming platform in Bahrain, including guidance on licensing requirements and content regulatory issues.
Providing ongoing support to a major Chinese e-commerce company, focusing on the execution of promotional campaigns, competitions, prize draws, and addressing online content-related issues.