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Oman Releases List of Visas Not to be Renewed for Expats

In 2018, the Omani government announced a temporary ban on visas issued for the recruitment of expatriate manpower in several professions.

Two years later and the ‘temporary’ visa ban on certain professions commonly held by expats in the Gulf State, the Sultanate has now moved to expand the ban for expats who work as sales representatives, sales promoters, and purchase representatives.

Here are the Visas that will NOT be Renewed for Expats Working in Oman

In the latest ruling upheld by Oman’s Ministry of Manpower, expats in the country who are employed as sales or purchasing representatives will not have their visas renewed, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

The decision underscores the country’s new Omanisation targets in the private sector as supported by the ministerial decision based on labor laws issued by Royal Decree No 35/2003 and Royal Decree No 76/2004, which maintain that three more professions in the field of sales are now reserved for Omanis.

These positions in the sales and retail industry include sales representatives, sales promoter and purchase representatives.

Furthermore, the decision pointed out that pre-existing work permits for expatriates in the professions falling under the banned category will continue to be valid until the date of their expiry, but cannot be renewed.

Since January 2018, there has been a ban on issuing employment visas in 87 professions, which was initially in place for six months but was later extended.

The said ban, which was extended in July, already covers a number of industries including media, engineering, accounting and finance, IT, insurance, technicians, administration and HR.

In a separate report shared by the Arab News in June 2018, Oman’s expat population had significantly dropped by 2% in the first five months of the ban – that’s 43,000 fewer expats than the same time for the previous year.

According to the ministerial decision, the aim of the visa ban is to help reduce unemployment among Omanis, but some business people fear it might discourage start-ups in these fields of work.

At the time, Saif Al Badi, head of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Al Dhairah Governorate headquarters shared: “We were hoping the visa ban for these jobs would be halted or opened for a temporary period but the decision is exactly the opposite and that will not attract entrepreneurs to start businesses in these sectors.”

Accordingly, the Omanization drive is part of the Omani government’s push to recruit more of its own citizens, a similar push has been implemented across the GCC where countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also been trying to increase the number of locals in employment.

According to Balram Manji, an HR consultant in Oman, the new rules were in keeping with the growing trend around the globe.

He explained: “It is very similar to what the US and many European nations are doing in terms of prioritizing their own people.”

According to Oman’s National Centre of Statistics and Information, there are approximately 1.7 million foreign workers in the Sultanate. This new decree is in line with Omanisation initiatives rolled out by the government.

PH Embassy in Bahrain Ready to Repatriate OFWs Amid Tensions in Region

Despite the lull on the issue between the US and Iran following the former’s bombing of the latter’s US bases in Iraq, the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain has assured Filipinos based in the Kingdom of Bahrain that the government is prepared for their repatriation should the need arise, following the recent tensions rising in the Middle East.

On the weekend following the death of Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, the US is bracing for possible retaliatory actions by Iran.

Embassy Prepared to Take In, Repatriate OFWs Amid Ongoing Tension in the Region

An advisory released by the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain on its Facebook page said Filipinos based in these areas are given assurance that the Philippine Government is “prepared to repatriate any Filipino who may be affected or displaced by the ongoing developments in the region.”

In line with this, the Embassy further stated that affected Filipinos requesting repatriation or any form of assistance may contact them through their Assistance-to-Nationals Section at 1772-1234 (landline), 3995-3235 (hotline), or [email protected].

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ special envoy to the Middle East, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, on January 9 (Thursday) said the government will continue to plan for the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers in the Middle East despite a seeming easing to the tension in the region.

Cimatu gave an update as to the repatriation activities amid Washington’s call for de-escalation in the region after a wave of missile attacks on US bases by Iran, which prompted the highest alert level for Filipinos living in Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.

He shared, “Assuming Baghdad is closed, they will go to Erbil but there is no direct flight to Manila so they will have to fly to Qatar and Dubai (in the United Arab Emirates)“.

Further giving insight to the situation, Cimatu revealed that the worst-case scenario for the ongoing repatriation efforts would be for US bases in and around Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar to be targeted.

He also admitted that the situation is unpredictable, and sometimes there are some instances of a very surprise missile attack.

Despite the ongoing repatriation efforts in the region, Cimatu shared that the Embassies in the Middle East cannot account for undocumented OFWs. “We don’t know where are they, but we can communicate with them through their families here in the Philippines,” he said.

And finally, the Philippine Embassy also sent a word of caution to Filipinos in Bahrain to continue being vigilant, to exercise caution, and to maintain situational awareness at all times.

ALSO READ: Important Hotlines and Contact Numbers in Bahrain

UAE Approves 5-Year Tourist Visa, All Nationalities can Apply

The UAE announces a tourist visa where all nationalities can apply and is valid for 5 years with multiple-entry status. This is an excellent news as this provides tourists who want to visit Dubai or explore other emirates a chance to take their time and not have to worry in applying for a visit visa or tourist visa every time they enter the country.

This update was recently approved by the UAE cabinet which was headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. More details below:

UAE Visa Update – New Five-Year Tourist Visa to Take Effect in 1st Quarter 2020

he UAE Cabinet has approved the issuance of a five-year multi-entry tourist visa for all nationalities visiting the country.

The decision was made during the Cabinet’s first meeting during 2020 the Year of Preparation, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The move comes in a bid to support the UAE’s tourism economy, and affirm the country’s position as a global tourist destination.

Another key decision made during the meeting includes the introduction of a visa waiver for Mexican citizens travelling to the UAE. The two decisions will be implemented during the first quarter of 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasised that 2019 was a year full of achievements across multiple areas, adding, “We are leaving this year behind and we are proud of our government working teams, and we are full of excitement and positive energy for the year of preparation for the next fifty years to come.”

His Highness also affirmed that 365 days of 2019 were marked by the UAE scoring achievements and achieving excellence in all fields, including the quality of life, education, health, Emiratisation, infrastructure, economy, competitiveness, space and futuristic sectors.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pride in the nation’s accomplishments over the past 50 years, adding, “We challenge our government and Federal teams for the next 50 years. The year 2020 leaves behind 50 years of achievements, and welcomes 50 years of perseverance and hard work in the service of the nation and its citizens.”

During the meeting, held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, Cabinet members reviewed the achievements of the UAE government in 2019. The meeting was held in the presence H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to say, “We want 2020 to be a year of development, growth and competition with leading countries in economy, competitiveness and wellbeing.”

“We do not want our achievements to be limited to one segment of society,” he noted, adding, “We want them to be diversified to touch the lives of seniors, children and people of determination, both for UAE nationals and residents, students and employees, entrepreneurs and investors, alike.”

His Highness affirmed, “The preparation for the next 50 years is a challenge we accept along with our federal teams. We are confident that these teams are up for the challenge and able to create a positive change in the lives of our citizens and to achieve the objectives of the agenda 2021.”

The UAE Vice President highlighted that the Year of Tolerance promoted the values of tolerance in a perfect manner, and helped tolerance move from concepts and values to initiatives and plans in practice. “This allowed us to continue together in the journey of tolerance which was initiated by the founding fathers of the UAE. The achievements of the Year of Tolerance made us feel optimistic about what the year of preparation for the next 50 years has in store for us. We will make it a quantum leap for the UAE on the world map in various fields,” His Highness added.

“The year 2019 witnessed many important milestones in our journey to explore the future and to draw a clear road map for our success and for the happiness of our citizens. It also witnessed our achievements when we flew through space, in addition to catching up and leapfrogging in various global competitive indicators,” Sheikh Mohammed continued.

His Highness said, “Our sons and daughters, our sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers, our senior citizens, people residing in our country, our partners in building the nation and development, the distinguished scholars and geniuses everywhere, we have placed enthusiastic government work teams to work in the service of each of them. These teams are made of the best and most sincere capabilities who are working assiduously and tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year”.

He added, “We have launched dozens of new initiatives and projects, including the first National Strategy for Wellbeing, the Emirates Schools Establishment, and we have adopted the allocation of a fund to support and qualify Emirati jobseekers, and set out new objectives and decisions to support Emiratisation.”

“Furthermore,” His Highness continued, “We have created a new position for the UAE Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Ambassador, and have issued a strategic economic resolution allowing 100 percent foreign ownership in UAE economic activities.

“We have also granted more than 2,500 golden residence permits to people with outstanding qualifications and investors, allowing them to be part of our success story and excellence.”

His Highness said, “In 2019 we adopted the UAE National Space Strategy. We celebrated the realisation of Zayed’s dream with the journey of the UAE’s first astronaut Hazaa Al Mansoori into space. We received the flame of hope to kick off the Special Olympics , and at the same time, we held the People of Determination Retreat.”

During its meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved a resolution exempting Mexican citizens from visa to enter the Country. The decision, which comes as part of efforts to strengthen the UAE position both regionally and internationally, will improve existing bilateral relations with other countries the world through enhancing collaboration in tourism, economic and investment field. The decision will open up new prospects for UAE passport holders in tourism, investment and commerce and will facilitate their movements between the two countries. The decision will facilitate entry, exit and passage for nationals of both countries without the need to apply for visa.

As part of the agenda of the meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved Air Arabia Abu Dhabi as a national carrier airline for the UAE in order to enhance civil aviation in the country and to allow the aviation sector to keep pace with future development plans and directions.

The Resolution reflects the importance the government attaches to the aviation sector. The UAE government invested considerable efforts to improve this sector and support all the businesses working in it. The government gives the aviation sector all forms of support in line with the comprehensive development plans occurring in the country.

As part of the agenda of the UAE Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved a set of decisions and legislation to support the healthcare sector, improve its quality and performance and to provide the best programmes and health services for the community. In this regard, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Centre for Health Research in the UAE, which will seek to create a unified database on researchers and health research in the country, to collaborate with international institutions and organisations in research fields and to enhance cooperative researches between health and academic institutions through internal and external partnerships. In addition, the Centre will support the implementation of programs and will contribute to convert health research outputs into products, services or policies in order to raise the bar of health care services.

The Cabinet also approved a resolution on the Supreme Medical Liability Committee, establishing a committee for medical liability in every health entity. The Resolution aims to improve the relationship between the provider and recipients of health services in the country to the best possible levels, to guarantee the rights of each party and to determine the appropriate procedures to defend and protect such rights. This is in accordance with precise rules to achieve the required balance in these relationships in such a vital and sensitive field as the field of providing health services.

The Resolution will provide an appropriate working environment that allows medical practitioners to exercise their profession in a way that encourages them to provide the best health services, within an environment that guarantees their rights according to the peculiarities of the profession, while ensuring the rights of patients at the same time.

The Resolution will also avoid the delay resulting from the accumulation of complaints files with the Medical Liability Supreme Committee, since each health entity will have its own medical liability committee. This will contribute to distributing complaints files related to medical errors between more than one committee, hence, the role of the Medical Liability Supreme Committee will be limited to looking into the grievances files submitted by the committees formed within the health authorities. This will obviously help expedite the settlement of cases brought before the courts that deal with complaints related to medical errors.

It is expected that this Resolution will contribute to improving the UAE’s indicators in the health field and thus creating a positive health environment. This will to strengthen its position as a global hub for healthcare, especially in the field of medical tourism.

In this regard, the UAE Cabinet also approved a resolution to establish the National Cancer Registry. The Resolution comes as part of reinforcing the efforts aiming at preserving public health in the UAE society. The National Cancer Registry is an essential underpinning to find facts and statistical data that will help find new working processes based on accurate and clear methodologies that that will help decision makers obtain the most accurate and latest indicators related to this disease. The Registry will also help identify appropriate means and methods to combat cancer. The National Cancer Registry will identify its causes, types, and the groups that are most affected by it, and classify the number of cancer patients by gender and age. The Registry will also provide other necessary information in this regard.

Concerning legislative matters, the UAE Cabinet approved a resolution concerning the implementing law amending the Federal Law No. 19 of 2016 on Combating Commercial Fraud. This Resolution aims at finding a federal unified mechanism to deal with cases of commercial fraud across the UAE, speeding up the resolution of legal cases related to commercial fraud in addition to defining a clear mechanism to get rid of illegal products by either re-exporting or destroying them.

The Law contains provisions related to the procedures of the competent authority for inspecting fraudulent and corrupt goods and seizing fraudulent goods in the market, provisions related to the rules for destroying counterfeit goods, and other provisions.

As part of its agenda, the UAE Cabinet approved the UAE System for Monitoring Solar Energy Products which constitutes the cornerstone of enabling various sectors in the UAE (governmental, industrial, commercial and real estate) to generate renewable energy using solar energy technologies and linking them to the public electrical network in the country. This represents one of the most important elements of the national agenda to support the sustainable development system.

The Cabinet also approved a draft federal law on pesticides, in order to preserve public health and environmental safety, and to strengthen control over pesticide circulation in the UAE in accordance with a law tailored to the needs of the agricultural sector and the public health. The Resolution also determines clear penalties for violations in this regard due to the seriousness of the use of pesticides.

As far as regulatory matters are concerned, the Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Board of Directors of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and the Education and Human Resources Council.

In line with the vision of the UAE to host leading international events, the Cabinet agreed that the capital of the UAE will play host to Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation’s General Assembly meetings to be held in 2020. The UAE won the bid to host this important event in the field of standardization and accreditation activities for the first time in the region since the establishment of the Cooperation.

The Cabinet also reviewed a report on the results of the UAE’s participation in the Donors’ Conference in support of the United Comoros Republic’s development plan. This participation comes as part of the government efforts to consolidate ties with various countries and provide the necessary support to them at various levels.

WATCH: UAE Sets New World Record with Largest Flag Flown in Free Fall

If you’re a fan of extreme sports, you probably won’t be surprised to find out that the UAE has just set a new world record for Largest Flag Flown in Free Fall, as announced by the Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, via his official Instagram account last December 1 in line with the country’s celebrations for its 48th National Day.

Sheikh Hamdan’s IG post featured an exciting clip of the UAE flag fluttering in the Dubai skies.

[VIDEO] UAE Sets New World Record for Largest Flag Flown in Free Fall Stunt

The flag, which measures 144 meters square in area, was released by five skydivers. Two other skydivers can be seen in spiral formation, releasing green and red smoke – the colors of the UAE flag as they execute the amazing feat, as shared in a report by Gulf Today.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fazza (@faz3)

The video showed six professional skydivers jumping off a plane with perfect synchronization. Four divers then set off the longest flag, creating a spectacular display over Palm Jumeirah while the other two helped seal the perfect image for the event by releasing colored smoke in UAE colors to create an artistic background for the thrilling stunt.

On the other hand, Fujairah residents carried a UAE flag spanning several meters long on many boats to celebrate 48th National Day.

Several UAE residents can be seen in the video holding on to a huge flag to mark the occasion while sailing on different boats at sea.

These were just some of the community events prepared by UAE residents to commemorate the country’s 48th National Day.

And as soon as the video was uploaded by Sheikh Hamdan, social media burst into absolute joy.

In just 4 hours, the video has already gained more than 558,385 views with over 2,000 comments in less than 2 hours, making it one of the most trending videos in the country on that day.

Aside from these events, there was also much gaiety and revelry across various emirates at night as the UAE night sky was filled with bursting colors and spectacular display of lights as part of citywide celebrations surrounding the UAE’s 48th National Day.

As expected, the iconic UAE landmark, the Burj Khalifa also lit up to mark the UAE’s 48th National Day. The spectacular light shows were witnessed near the world’s tallest building. The venue was jam-packed with dazzled residents and visitors in Dubai.

Here is a clip of the exciting events in Dubai highlighted by the lighting of the Burj Khalifa followed by the dazzling fireworks in the night sky:

https://twitter.com/BurjKhalifa/status/1201529808708091904?s=20

ALSO READ: [UAE Labour Law] Guide to Working Hours, Official Leaves, and Vacations

5 Kinds of Posts Prohibited by Twitter Middle East

In this day and age, social media has become a powerful platform for sharing information, doing business, and communication in general. That being said, certain rules must be set in place to ensure that social media is being used responsibly, and not for ill purposes.

ALSO READ: Social Media Usage in UAE – Penalties and Fines

On Monday, 25th November 2019, Twitter Middle East launched a region-wide campaign against offensive language, violent images, and illegal streaming of sports games — among others — urging platform users to report “spammy” content and help clean up the network.

Twitter ME Urges Users to Report “Spammy” Posts

Recently, Twitter has been criticised for allegedly failing to address content posted and shared by extremists groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, The National reported.

In response, the network stated that 38 percent of abusive content is now detected through technology and sent for human review — a huge improvement from zero percent last year, when Twitter relied mostly on users to report abusive content on the platform.

The network also mentioned that from July 2018 to June 2019, it challenged 291 millions accounts for spammy behaviour, and 75 percent of these have been ultimately suspended.

The head of Twitter’s policy and government relations in the Middle East and North Africa, George Salama, shared that Twitter is constantly working to address spammy behaviour as quickly as possible. Likewise, he pointed out that the company needs to do more in terms of educating people about the safety tools available whenever they use the platform.

5 Kinds of Posts Not Allowed on Twitter

Through a series of videos in Arabic, Twitter ME warned users against posting and sharing:

Rude, offensive, and bad language;
Violent, gory images of accidents and war zones;
People’s personal information (e.g. phone numbers) without permission;
Passing off intellectual property rights (e.g. pictures and videos) as if they were your own; and
Live streaming of sports games without a license.

What’s more, the company has asked its user to help identify fraudulent accounts, so that these may be challenged and taken down if necessary. These include accounts that post unsolicited content and those that impersonate public figures.

Twitter has also cautioned against sharing violent images, especially in a region where war and conflict are often in the news. While some may think that sharing such images is acceptable, Salama explained that this is actually a violation of the company’s rules.

Sharing media that is excessively gory violates Twitter’s safety rules, Salama said. By raising awareness about Twitter’s rules and reporting systems, the company hopes that users in the region would be able to “freely and safely participate” in the public platform.

ALSO READ: Doing This at Accident Sites in Abu Dhabi Can Land You in Jail or Fined AED 150K

If you’re a social media user, be sure to avoid posting offensive language, violent images, and other prohibited content on Twitter and other networks. What’s more, if you happen to be based in Qatar, check out these things to avoid and social media etiquette in the Kingdom.

Over 2000 Runners Participated in the First Mai Dubai City Half Marathon

First running event of its kind in Dubai
Attended by Instagram star Joe Wicks
Athletes, their friends and family enjoyed the sights and sounds the Dubai International Financial Centre has to offer

October 25 2019, (Dubai, UAE): Over 2,000 runners took part in the first ever Mai Dubai City Half Marathon in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – the official venue partner for the event this morning. As one of the major events during the Dubai Fitness Challenge, runners from all over the UAE and outside competed in one of four race distances – 21km, 10k, 5km or 2,5km.

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Endorsed by the Dubai Sports Council, the event was a first for Dubai with all races starting in front of The Gate Building in DIFC, and the route offered athletes spectacular sights of downtown Dubai and the city’s iconic skyline including the Burj Khalifa. The route was also a favourite for those looking to achieve personal bests with the easily accessible and flat road course measured by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Fitness star and Instagram athlete Joe Wicks, globally known as ‘The Body Coach’, was a huge highlight this morning where he led the warm-up, took part in the 21km and flagged off the 2.5km Community Run. The 2.5km Community Run was introduced to the day for budding athletes looking for the ‘marathon experience’ in a light, fun and enjoyable atmosphere, alongside friends and family and for those looking to lock in their 30 minutes of exercise as part of the 30×30 challenge.

Adding to the day, a host of activities were on offer in the Gate Avenue in DIFC for runners and their friends and family. This included delicious F&B treats from several outlets, free yoga sessions and workshops for kids which added to the atmosphere in and around DIFC.

Peyman Al Awadhi, Senior Vice President – Official Spokesperson at DIFC Authority, said: “It was truly an honour to offer participants and visitors at the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon the warm hospitality and vibrant environment of the DIFC. As official venue partner, we would like to thank all our retailer clients based in the Centre for their generosity in providing complimentary snacks and refreshments that added to the fun-filled afternoon.

“The sense of excitement was truly felt and the atmosphere was outstanding and we hope everyone who participated enjoyed the event as much as we did. DIFC is not just a business hub but a top lifestyle destination in Dubai to offer over 100-day calendar of unique arts, culture, and health and wellness activations. We look forward to continue offering a range of exciting events at the DIFC.”

Images Credit: Supplied

Plan Your Holidays: Oman Likely to Observe 2 Long Weekends Next Month

As the year nears its end, citizens and residents of Oman can expect to get extra time off to relax and unwind, as there is likely to be two long weekends next month.

There are less than 20 official holidays declared by the Omani government at the beginning of the year. And the two upcoming holidays in November will be the last for this year.

Oman Likely to Observe Two Long Weekends in November

Residents and citizens of Oman will be able to enjoy the extra days off over the occasion of the country’s National Day, which is observed on November 18, as shared in a report by the Times of Oman. Celebrations will be observed on November 18 and 19 (Monday and Tuesday).

Furthermore, a holiday will also be observed on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, the report added.

The date of the Prophet’s birthday is determined by the lunar calendar and will be officially announced after the sighting of the moon.

As per Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs calendar, the tentative date for the Prophet’s birthday will be on Saturday, November 9, 2019.

As such, there‘s a possibility that November 10, 2019, could be a public holiday.

According to the report, historically the two National Day holidays are generally clubbed with the weekend in Oman.

In line with this, neighboring countries such as the UAE will observe a one-day holiday on the occasion of Commemoration Day on Saturday, November 30.

Since there aren’t a lot of holidays in the Sultanate, having an extended weekend is a luxury.

Though small, Omanis celebrate their National Day with much pride by going out in the streets to watch fireworks, show off their cars, and join in revelry with friends and family members in singing and dancing.

For Omanis, November 18 is one of the immortal days in the history of Oman as it portrays the glory and pride of the major achievements in the last 40 years and will bring the country towards further development and growth.

Also in commemoration of Sultan Qaboos’ achievements for the country, the people have celebrated their National Day on their leader’s birthday, which is on November 18. And as part of the celebrations, people in different parts of the country usually perform a ‘loyalty march’ and parade through the streets with large portraits of Sultan Qaboos, while singing celebratory songs in praise of the leader.

ALSO READ: [GUIDE] Top Destinations to Visit in Oman

KSA Launches New Visa Policy for Tourists, No Abaya Rule

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new visa program on Friday (September 27), which will benefit at least 49 countries and attract foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10 percent of gross domestic product by 2030 starting the following day, September 28.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has been relatively closed off from most parts of the world for several decades already, has in recent years relaxed its strict social codes such as segregating men and women in public places and requiring women to wear all-covering black robes or abayas.

Saudi Introduces New Tourist Visa Policy, No Abaya Rule

According to Saudi’s tourism chief Al Khateeb, abayas will no longer be mandatory for female tourists but they will still be required to wear a modest dress when in the Kingdom especially public places including beaches and marketplaces, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

Khateeb clarified that certain restrictions still remain in place such as the ban on alcoholic drinks and products. He noted, “We will have enough tourists to come to Saudi Arabia to enjoy other things.”

Of note, visas may be applied for online for about USD 80 (AED 294; SAR 300), with no restrictions for unaccompanied women as in the past. Access to the Muslim holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, however, is restricted.

While details as to which countries will be eligible for the new visa scheme, Khateeb shared that China, Japan, Europe, and the United States were among the top outbound targets.

To date, foreigners traveling to Saudi Arabia have been largely restricted to resident workers and their dependents, business travelers, and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to visit Makkah and Medina.

Plans to admit a large number of leisure tourists have been discussed for years, only to be blocked by conservative opinion and bureaucracy.

In relation to the new plan, an e-visa for sporting events and concerts has been introduced last December.

According to authorities, the move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious plans to develop new industries to wean the world’s top oil exporter off crude and open up society including by introducing previously banned entertainment. For which, most of his reforms have been welcomed with much international praise and support.

Furthermore, with the kingdom’s positive reforms encouraging more traffic and visitors into the country – Saudi aims to at least add 1 million tourism jobs in the near future. However, at this point in time, getting hundreds of thousands of Saudis into the workforce remains a major challenge for the crown prince.

ALSO READ: Here’s What to Expect on Your Visit to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Celebrates National Day with Fireworks, Concerts, & Cultural Shows

Saudi Celebrates National Day with Fireworks, Concerts, & Art Exhibits

As the Kingdom celebrated its 89^th National Day last September 23, fireworks show, concerts, and cultural events were hosted by the government in cooperation with relevant departments.

As part of its 89^th anniversary as a Kingdom, the government has aired plans to arrange several seasons for a tourist attraction to align with its economic plan under the Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the country’s economy.

Concerts, Fireworks, & Cultural Activities Banner Saudi National Day Celebration

Accordingly, the Kingdom has created drafts for 11 different seasons for this year. Among these is the season of National celebration, which transformed the Kingdom to an entertainment hub from September 19 to 23, as shared in a report by Al Arabiya English.

For the festive season, the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has organized over 70 different events across various regions of Saudi Arabia to celebrate the period with passion and patriotism.

Of note, the slogan for the event according to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was “Himma Hatta al-Qimma” which means strength until the end, by which the Crown Prince likened Saudi’s strength to the Tuwaiq Mountain near Riyadh.

Moreover, the kingdom also observed a four-day holiday starting September 19 to 23 in both the public and private sectors.

As part of the celebrations, huge fireworks were launched during this period, and a firework show was also hosted in Jeddah at the AL-Hamra Corniche and in other cities which will be accompanied with sounds, music, lighting, as well as a laser show.

Furthermore, as part of the 5-day Dhahran exhibition, an international show, especially organized for the National Day, was presented by the world’s largest theatrical producer “Cirque du Soleil”.

There were also various concerts staged by local and international singers throughout the country during the 5-day period.

And finally, inspirational forums were also held by the nation’s leaders to inspire the people and to give them hope through their words and experiences.

For his part, Amr Banaja of the GEA expressed his gratitude to the security authorities for their efforts to make the season a success, as well as to all government, private, and non-profit sectors, for their commitment to this initiative.

Following this period, the Kingdom will next observe the Riyadh Season, which will bring 14 international star acts and an array of exclusive shows to the country’s capital, starting next month.

Meanwhile, nationals and friends of Saudi Arabia from all over the world have expressed their delight and unity via social media as the Kingdom celebrates its 89th anniversary as a unified power in the Middle East.

ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia Launches World’s First Flowerman Festival

Assembly Proposal to Limit Gov’t Hospital Services to Kuwaitis Only

Assembly Proposal to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Only at Gov’t Hospitals

In a controversial announcement, the Kuwaiti government has proposed to limit the medical services offered by government hospitals to Kuwaiti nationals only. However, the government clarified that this will not be implemented immediately in consideration of the large expat community in the country.

It can be recalled that government hospitals have started imposing higher fees to expats by as much as KD 10, according to the health ministry.

Kuwait Government Hospitals to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Soon

The Health Committee at the National Assembly brought up the issue and approved the proposal of limiting treatment in government-owned hospitals to Kuwaitis and Gulf Nationals only, as shared in a report by the Kuwait Times.

Of note, the proposal also focuses on the number of Kuwaitis compared to expats. Since Kuwaitis have a smaller number compared to expats, this means greater benefit to locals whom the government plans to improve their services for.

In a survey released in 2014, Kuwait is home to 2.4 million foreign nationals. Based on these figures, around 1.2 million expats are working in the private sector whereas over 99,000 are employed by the government.

Furthermore, there are more than 600,000 domestic helpers working in Kuwait, making it one of the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the loose alliance that comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Since 2014, government authorities have called for the deportation of 280,000 expats every year within the next five years to help provide a solution to the imbalanced demographic in the country.

However, in a recent survey released by InterNations, Kuwait was once again named as the ‘worst destination’ for expats citing reasons such as difficulty in making friends with the locals.

Kuwait has topped the said list for two consecutive years, and has also been dubbed the third-worst country in terms of the ‘health and well-being’ of expats and ‘sense of alienation and affection’.

Job satisfaction and economic situation are some of the issues encountered by expatriates in Kuwait. Other countries considered as ‘worst country of destination’ for expats are Italy, Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, India, United Kingdom, Greece, Russia, and South Korea.

Owing to these actions highlighted by the government in line with the nation’s drive to push for Kuwaitization until 2023, more expats are facing challenges in their stay in the country as well as in keeping their jobs in the long term.

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