These guidelines are aimed at mitigating the risks as well as effectively implementing anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations

The UAE Central Bank on Tuesday has issued new guidelines for banks and financial institutions which provide services to companies in the real estate and precious metals and stones sectors.

These guidelines are aimed at mitigating the risks as well as effectively implementing anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations.

Under the new guides, all licensed banks and financial institutions are required to perform appropriate customer due diligence and report any suspected behaviour linked to money laundering, financing of terrorism or a criminal offence by submitting suspicious activity reports directly to the UAE’s Financial Intelligence Unit using the “goAML” portal.

The regulator stressed that licensed financial institutions (LFIs) providing services to real estate and precious metals and stones sectors should specifically assess the associated money laundering and terrorist financing risks and develop an effective AML/CFT programme that encompasses a competent compliance officer and provides training for LFIs’ employees on said risks.

It is important to note that the UAE Ministry of Economy, which issues the relevant guidance, supervises real estate agents, brokers and dealers in precious metals and stones who are qualified as designated non-financial businesses and professions.

Earlier this month, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and Khaled Mohamed Balama, governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, chaired a meeting which was attended by the CEOs of all onshore financial institutions in the UAE to highlight the UAE’s AML/CFT efforts, with an emphasis on the crucial role played by the private sector in strengthening the UAE’s AML/CFT system.

“A critical part of UAE Central Bank’s mandate is to ensure that all licensed financial institutions have a deep comprehension of their role in mitigating and addressing the risk of illicit activities in the UAE’s financial system. This guidance serves as a key point of reference for those providing services to real estate and precious metals and stones sectors and is set to further increase the efficacy of licensed financial institutions in contributing to the stringent national efforts in the field of AML/CFT,” said Khaled Mohamed Balama.

The newly-released guidance for real estate, precious metals and stones sectors also takes into account the standards and guidance issued by Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Source:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/banking-finance/new-rules-for-financial-institutions-to-perform-due-diligence-of-real-estate-precious-metal-firms

Commercial Bank of Dubai has recently inked a partnership agreement with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) to boost entrepreneurship and support business owners.

The partnership will enable DMCC trade license holders to leverage CBD’s banking products and services, including exclusive digital business accounts which can be opened instantly with zero balance options and a wide range of exclusive services tailored for all business needs.

The agreement was signed between Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai and Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

Dr. Bernd van Linder said: “At CBD, we believe that SMEs and entrepreneurs play a vital role in the growth of the national economy and it is imperative that they get the support they require to accelerate the growth of their businesses. With this partnership with DMCC, we are delighted to offer SMEs and entrepreneurs, holders of DMCC trade licenses, a seamless and instant banking experience, complemented with tailored solutions to fulfill their business requirements. Our agreement will enhance the ease of doing business in the UAE and will boost the SME ecosystem.”

Ahmed Bin Sulayem added: “Being home to over 19,000 companies of all sizes from around the globe, supporting existing and new members in every way possible has always been a top priority for DMCC. We are committed to forming partnerships and leading initiatives aimed at enabling businesses to thrive in the UAE and beyond – cementing our position as a global trade hub and ensuring the UAE remains the destination of choice to do business. Through our partnership with the Commercial Bank of Dubai, we continue to enhance the ease of doing business, particularly for entrepreneurs and SMEs which without a doubt play a fundamental role in innovation and economic growth.”

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre will transform Dubai into an international cacao trade hub

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) on Sunday announced plans to launch a cacao centre that aims to make Dubai a global hub for trade in the bean, the Dubai government’s media office said on Sunday.

The world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise said it would initially incubate a select range of cacao services starting in mid-2021 within its Coffee Centre in Jebel Ali free zone. The new initiative will transform the emirate into an international trade hub for the in-demand superfood as part of its mid to long-term development strategy, it said.

“The DMCC Cacao Centre represents the next phase of our growth strategy and will see us transform Dubai into a global hub for the cacao trade,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman and chief executive officer of DMCC.

In contact with industry players

DMCC is in contact with a range of cacao industry players, including Blue Stripes Urban Cacao and stakeholders across West Africa and South America, in order to better understand the needs of the market and how Dubai can play a central role in supporting its sustainable growth, according to the media office.

Last July, DMCC said it plans to expand its Coffee Centre, which opened in 2019, as well as its Tea Centre, which launched in 2005. The coffee centre offers infrastructure and services for green bean storage, processing, roasting, packing and delivery.

“Few thought the DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Coffee Centre would reach the levels of trade we see today, so by utilising our expertise and experience gained from developing these commodities, we see cacao and its high-growth potential as a logical next step. Whilst connecting producers with consumers will be an important part of our model, we will ensure DMCC Cacao Centre follows our high-level approach toward sustainability, which prioritises driving value across the entire supply chain,” Bin Sulayem.

Global demand for the superfood cacao — shell, fruit and beans — is rising and considered one of nature’s highest sources of magnesium and iron, as well as antioxidants and natural cacao butter. Cacao is also linked to holistic wellness and is used for physical, mental and emotional balance.

Link:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/local/dmcc-plans-to-launch-cacao-centre-in-dubai

Sultanate follows Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain as it looks to boost government revenues after taking big pandemic hit

Oman on Friday implemented a 5 percent value added tax (VAT) which is expected to boost government revenues by up to OR400 million ($1 billion).

The move comes after a six-month transitional period for the application of the tax on most goods and services in addition to goods imported into the sultanate, according to Oman News Agency.

It reported that the Oman government has expanded the list of goods subject to zero-rate VAT from 93 basic food commodities to 488 as part of a package of social protection initiatives approved by Sultan Haitham.

Food commodities subject to zero-rate VAT include vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, dates, spices, oils, fish, red meat and poultry while services such as education, healthcare and financial services will be exempt from VAT.

All six Gulf countries agreed to introduce a 5 percent VAT in 2018 after a slump in oil prices hit their revenues. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have already introduced the tax.

In November, it was reported that cash-strapped Oman plans to take a step unheard of in the Gulf region – it’s going to start taxing the income of wealthy individuals beginning in 2022.

The move is part of a broader program to tackle a budget deficit that’s ballooned due to low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.

The sultanate’s finances were in trouble even before the breakout of the pandemic and a crash in oil prices. It is now on course to rack up the steepest budget deficit since 2016 at nearly 19 percent of gross domestic product, according to the International Monetary Fund.

S&P estimates Oman’s gross government debt will rise to about 84 percent of GDP by end-2020 from 60 percent in 2019, while government-related enterprises debt will reach 43 percent of GDP from 30 percent during the same period.

Link:https://www.arabianbusiness.com/wealth/462133-oman-joins-gulf-neighbours-as-it-implements-5-vat