On December 31, 2025, Trump signed a proclamation delaying the increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for another year.
The escalation in Iran has triggered a major energy and logistics shock across the Gulf. Companies operating in the GCC should urgently reassess treasury exposure, supply chains, and contractual risks.
Abu Dhabi’s new Art Customs Duty Waiver Program removes import duties on qualifying artworks under a regulated framework, strengthening the emirate’s appeal to global collectors and institutions.
Oman and Qatar are advancing the GCC’s shift toward digital tax administration through new compliance platforms. Oman’s upcoming Fawtara e-invoicing system will introduce structured digital invoicing and real-time transaction monitoring, while Qatar’s Tabadol portal strengthens tax transparency by enabling multinational companies to submit Country-by-Country Reports in line with OECD BEPS standards.
Saudi Arabia’s shift from a licensing-based foreign investment regime to a registration model represents more than administrative simplification. It signals a structural reorientation of how market access, regulatory control, and investor responsibility are balanced.
UAE Emiratization rules tighten ahead of 2026, with stricter quotas, rising fines, and higher wage requirements. Mainland companies must act now to manage compliance, hiring, costs, and regulatory risk.
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