Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies. Every update identifies the issuing authority, jurisdiction, publication date, effective date and official source.
Dubai Municipality hosted its first Future of Construction Legathon on 24 September at Emirates Towers to address regulatory frameworks for modern building technologies. During the event, Dubai Municipality signed a partnership agreement with the Dubai Future Foundation to pilot innovative solutions under Sandbox Dubai. The initiative will initially focus on the Smart Built Environment sandbox group.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), outlined the emirate's strategy focusing on foreign direct investment, artificial intelligence, and economic diversification. Sharjah attracted 142 FDI projects worth AED 7.74 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2025, with around 75 percent already operational. The agency is targeting quality investments across technology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and logistics, while expanding outreach across Asian and global markets.
The United Arab Emirates has approved a major revision of its value-added tax executive regulations under Cabinet Decision No. 149 of 2026. The amendments affect input VAT recovery calculations, payment mechanisms, composite supply structures, and transaction documentation. Most of the revised provisions take effect on October 1, 2026.
A recent joint crackdown in Dubai seizing 17 tankers has brought renewed attention to UAE environmental penalties ranging from Dh500 to Dh10 million. Federal and local frameworks penalise improper industrial and hazardous waste disposal with fines up to Dh1 million, rising to Dh10 million for serious nuclear-related violations. In Dubai, specific municipal regulations impose penalties up to Dh500,000 for waste infractions and Dh100,000 for illegal wastewater discharge.
Dubai Municipality / UAE Federal Authorities
United Arab Emirates
Final rule
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