Book an appointment with us, or search the directory to find the right lawyer for you directly through the app.
Find out moreWelcome to the latest edition of Law Update titled “Rise of Generative AI.”
In this edition, we dive into the dynamic world of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. TMT continues to play a vital role in positioning the region as an international business and social hub, driving significant growth and innovation.
Our focus in this Law Update is on the sector’s ongoing potential to advance and propel the region toward a more digital economy. We explore the benefits of embracing a digital transformation and how local authorities have responded by enhancing regulations to accommodate the evolving TMT landscape.
This edition covers a range of topics, including – the new Telecommunications & Information Technology Law in Saudi Arabia, the intricacies of trademarks in the Metaverse, and the legal challenges faced by the video game industry. Additionally, we take a regional perspective, discussing jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TMT landscape.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this packed issue of Law Update, filled with captivating articles that address key legal issues within a vital sector for the region.
Read the full editionMark Brown - Partner - Banking and Finance / Projects
Welcome to this special section of Law Update focusing on developments on and insights into projects and public private partnerships across the region and the jurisdictions in which Al Tamimi & Company operates.
We have witnessed first-hand (and have been fortunate enough to act as advisers to) the fast-expanding area of private sector involvement in the delivery of government-related projects in the Middle East & North Africa. Governments have very much recognised that private investment, whether through independent power/water producer or PPP models, is an effective way to free up resources for other purposes and thereby ease public budgetary constraints. This is particularly evident where historical revenue channels have been reduced or need to be conserved.
Governments have also been keen adopters of innovative and leading technologies, new-to-the-region solutions and are at the forefront of global energy trends. Nuclear, solar and wind power as well as waste-to-energy all feature as part of the regional ‘new’ energy ecosystem where previously such concepts did not exist. World record low tariffs for solar power are constantly being bettered by the latest projects. Most countries have clear (and often aggressive) targets to transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 2020 looks to be a particularly active year for solar regionally with the 2,000 MW Al Dhafra (PV2), Abu Dhabi project due to be awarded shortly, FEWA announcing a 500 MW PV project in Umm Al Quwain, the progression of REPDO’s rounds 2 and 3 in Saudi Arabia, expected financial close of the 200 MW Kom Ombo project in Egypt, prequalification for Manah 1 and 2 in Oman and the award in January of the Al-Kharsaah 800 MW project in Qatar.
Legal regimes have not been idle either. In recent years there has been a steady introduction of amendments to PPP legislative frameworks in various jurisdictions. In 2019 alone, Egypt’s Cabinet has approved amendments to its PPP law, Abu Dhabi and Oman have introduced a PPP law and Jordan is expected to update its PPP law shortly. You can read about the new Omani PPP law in the pages that follow. We also have articles offering our perspective on education in Qatar and Egypt, renewables in Saudi Arabia, helpful changes in Bahrain’s real estate laws for projects and more. We hope that you find our region-wide Projects’ update engaging and informative.
To learn more about our services and get the latest legal insights from across the Middle East and North Africa region, click on the link below.