Asia Briefing’s Middle East Focused Regulatory and Operational Business Updates

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June 04, 2026

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Weekly business and foreign investment news roundup in Asia

by Asia Briefing and Dezan Shira & Associates (An Ascentium Company).

MIDDLE EAST EDITION

TOP STORIES THIS WEEK:

Bahrain’s GCC Excise Tax Amendment: Pricing and Compliance Risks for Excisable Goods

Bahrain’s approval of amendments to the GCC Unified Excise Tax Agreement could reshape tax treatment, pricing strategy, and compliance obligations for tobacco, beverages, and other excisable products. Businesses should review product classifications, tax exposure, and supply chain planning to avoid margin and reporting risks.

Abu Dhabi’s New Real Estate Regulation: What Investors and Developers Need to Review

Abu Dhabi’s new real estate regulation – Administrative Decision No. 25/2025 – introduces clearer requirements for jointly owned properties, common areas, service fees, disclosure obligations, and property management. Investors, developers, and property managers should assess how the new framework affects project structuring, buyer communication, and asset governance.

UAE Five-Year Tax Credit Limit: Businesses Risk Losing Unused Balances

Businesses in the UAE now face a five-year deadline for claiming unused tax credit balances, after which the amounts may be permanently forfeited. Companies with accumulated VAT, corporate tax, or excise tax credits should review outstanding balances and take action before the relevant window closes.

Dubai Property Investor Visa 2026: Lower Entry Barrier for Foreign Buyers

Dubai has removed the previous AED 750,000 (US$204,220) minimum property value requirement for sole owners applying for the emirate’s two-year property investor residency visa. The reform expands access for foreign property owners, particularly first-time investors and buyers of smaller residential units, while separate thresholds continue to apply to joint ownership and Golden Visa applications.

Saudi Arabia’s New Geographical Indications Regime: IP Protection Opens Value for Regional Products

Saudi Arabia’s new geographical indications framework allows producers to protect region-linked products such as dates, Taif roses, and Najran honey through renewable 10-year registrations, strengthening intellectual property protection and creating new opportunities for local producers, exporters, and investors.

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COMPLIMENTARY BUSINESS RESOURCES:

An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2026

This latest edition of An Introduction to Doing Business in India provides a clear, practical roadmap to navigating GST 2.0 reforms, the full rollout of the four Labor Codes, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules 2025, and updates to incorporation processes, entity selection, audit requirements, and financial reporting.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Indonesia 2026

This publication, designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in Indonesia, was compiled by the experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, that provides corporate establishment, business intelligence, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence, and ﬁnancial review services to multinationals investing in emerging Asia.

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