Latest news with #ESR
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Moneypoint ends coal generation early as ESB shifts focus to renewable energy hub
Coal generation has ended earlier than expected at Moneypoint Power Station in Co Clare. After 40 years, the ESB, which operates the station, announced it has transformed the site into a renewable energy hub as coal generation came to a close. Moneypoint began its transition away from fossil fuels in 2017 with the construction of a 17MW onshore wind farm. In 2021, ESB announced a multi-billion-euro plan to transform the site into one of the country's largest renewable energy hubs, utilising its deep-water port and existing infrastructure. Phase one of this plan was completed in 2022 with a €50 million investment in Ireland's first synchronous compensator — a zero-carbon technology that allows the system to handle increasing amounts of renewable electricity. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB In 2023, ESB and EirGrid signed an agreement to keep Moneypoint available (to generate electricity using oil) from 2025 to 2029. The station will only be required to operate when the electricity system is short on capacity, and only under instruction from EirGrid. Oil generation is less carbon-intensive than coal, and the station is expected to run significantly less often during these four years. On Friday, Minister of State at the department of agriculture, Timmy Dooley, visited the site alongside ESB Chief Executive Paddy Hayes. Speaking about the move, Mr Dooley said: "The early end of coal generation at Moneypoint represents a significant milestone for ESB and is another important step in Ireland's energy transformation. "It is the people of the Mid-West that have made this possible and I am delighted that the site will continue to play a critical role in securing Ireland's electricity supply for a number of years to come." Mr Hayes said: "Moneypoint, the teams working here, and the communities across West Clare have been at the heart of powering Ireland's electricity system for the best part of 40 years so far – and I would like to thank all those who have played a part in that." Ireland's 2030 target under the EU's Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 42% by the end of the decade. Climate Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "Today, the next step of the station's journey is beginning as the shift from coal to oil takes place. This is not just a significant move for ESB but also for the country as a whole as Ireland powers forward to deliver the clean energy transition underpinned by a secure electricity system.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Philip Polkinghorne pitches a book; TVNZ v Sky for Olympic TV rights; Can Brad Pitt and Formula 1 film turbocharge NZ's box office?
Polkinghorne was acquitted of her murder last September, following an eight-week trial in the High Court. Polkinghorne has said he has already completed six chapters of the book, relating to the weekend his wife died, as well as others on the High Court, ESR, pathology and improvements in justice. Philip Polkinghorne during his trial and wife Pauline Hanna (inset). As of several weeks ago, he still had chapters to write on Hanna, himself and Madison Ashton, an Australian sex worker and Polkinghorne's former lover who refused to testify at the trial. It is understood Polkinghorne has told at least one publisher that his writing style reflects his own publishing career - restricted to scientific papers and so more akin to a textbook. That style is not exactly appealing, Polkinghorne has said, but it did provide context. Polkinghorne has sought help on the book as he completes the project, but publishing sources are unaware of any company that has so far taken up the opportunity. One source suggested a self-published book might be one option. Publishing firms approached by Media Insider this week either did not wish to comment or said they had not been approached. Polkinghorne's lawyer Ron Mansfield KC did not wish to comment. In September, journalist and author Steve Braunias - who covered the case extensively for the NZ Herald - wrote of Polkinghorne: 'He spent a lot of time typing with two fingers – we have so much in common – on a laptop. Long paragraphs would come and go; the screen kept moving down as he made terrific progress. He asked me one day for the name of my book publisher. The next day I said to him, 'You asked me that because you're writing a book, aren't you?' He said that a good title would be Guilty Until Proven Innocent." Steve Braunias' Polkinghorne book is due to be released in July. Photo / Supplied Braunias' own book on the case, Polkinghorne ($37.99), will be released on July 15 with publisher Allen & Unwin teasing 'an extraordinary encounter that will leave readers stunned'. The company hasn't said if that encounter is with Polkinghorne himself, or if he has participated in any interviews for the book. 'The death of Pauline Hanna in her home in Remuera, and the arrest of her husband, eye surgeon Dr Philip Polkinghorne, led to an epic trial that played out like a scandalous exposé of rich Auckland life,' says a promotion for Braunias' book. 'Braunias pieces it all together and presents it as an unforgettable opera - including an extraordinary encounter that will leave readers stunned.' TVNZ v Sky for Olympic rights Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington is targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Photo / Photosport TVNZ will have the technology to introduce pay-per-view and subscription television within 12 months, giving it a much stronger launch pad from which to bid for sports rights and one-off events. In an exclusive Media Insider – The Podcast interview, TVNZ chief executive Jodi O'Donnell has indicated the state broadcaster is bidding for rights to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 – New Zealand is one of the territories for which rights have yet to be confirmed. In Australia, Nine has the rights to the 2028 Games as well as the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, and it is possible the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could be packaging up the rights for both sets of Games for a New Zealand broadcaster. TVNZ last held Olympics rights in 2008, for the Beijing Games. More than 2.6 million Kiwis watched the Games in their opening weekend that year. 'This is an outstanding result,' said TVNZ's then head of television Jeff Latch. 'New Zealanders love the Olympics – they love getting involved in worldwide sporting events and supporting our Kiwi athletes. And there is no better way to share in those great Olympic moments from here than to watch them on television.' Since then, Sky has had the rights for the 2012 London Games, 2016 Rio Games, 2020 Tokyo Games (TVNZ had secondary free-to-air rights) and 2024 Paris Games. Sky TV's 12 channels of coverage for the Olympic Games in London in 2012. Sky said last year that a total of 2.82 million people – 57% of New Zealand's population – watched the Paris Olympic Games. TVNZ's new digital investment and five-year strategic plan gives it the opportunity to have a pay-per-view or subscription TV offering, although O'Donnell is at pains to point out it will always be an ad-funded and free TV network first and foremost. But the new technology means it could package up a major event, offering a certain number of free hours of coverage, alongside subscriber channels of specialist sports. TVNZ chief executive Jodi O'Donnell opens up in this week's Media Insider podcast. 'If you look at something like the Olympic Games, for example, the ability for that to be brought to New Zealanders so they can watch it free but the ability for us to compete for those rights means that we need to find some different revenue options as well,' O'Donnell said. 'That might be an option that you'd think about – an Olympics Pass, for example.' Asked directly if TVNZ was bidding for the Olympics, O'Donnell said: 'There's quite a few sports rights in the market at the moment. We haven't been shy about our ambitions around that. We put our best foot forward. 'I don't have anything to share with lots of sporting rights available in the market at the moment.' We'll take that as a yes. Sky responds Sky confirmed yesterday it was also vying for the Olympics rights. 'Sky is participating in the current IOC rights discussions,' said a spokeswoman. 'All our content partnerships need to make financial sense for Sky, both in their own right and as part of the overall mix of sport that we bring to our customers, and we are having constructive discussions on that basis. 'We think it's healthy to have choice in the local media ecosystem, particularly as sports codes need broadcast partners from grassroots right through to high-performance competitions. 'Most of the headline-making sport in New Zealand and a high-performing range of entertainment content is on Sky.' One Good Poll Media Insider revealed earlier this year that 1News at 6 newsreader Simon Dallow might call it quits later in 2025. O'Donnell did not wish to be drawn on that speculation, but confirmed succession plans were in place across the business. On Dallow's talent, she said: 'Simon's an incredibly highly trusted presenter – that's something that we constantly see in all of the research that we have as well. He's always been very clear that he reads the news and that is his job ... that is full credit to a really strong presenter, particularly in that news space, as well to deliver the story and let the individual be able to make up their decision on what they want to take out of it.' TVNZ back in black TVNZ will post an operating profit of almost $5 million for this financial year, Jodi O'Donnell reveals in the podcast - a big turnaround on its performance 12 months ago. O'Donnell won't say if that means a dividend for the Government. Media Minister Paul Goldsmith has made clear it wants to see dividends in the next two to three years. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith is the first guest on the new Media Insider podcast. Photo / NZME TVNZ's financial year runs to June 30. Last year, it posted an after-tax loss of $85 million - including a non-cash impairment of $62.1m - and an EBIT (operational earnings) loss of $28.5m. With a forecast operational profit of almost $5 million this year, the company has been successful in finding its targeted $30 million in cost savings and revenue increases over the past 12 months. Can Brad Pitt turbo-charge NZ's box office? Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie. A big week ahead for Formula 1 fans – and those who have been drawn to the sport as a result of the Netflix series Drive to Survive – with the release of F1: The Movie. The movie, starring Brad Pitt as a down-and-out-but-soon-to-be-back F1 driver, is set to help turbocharge the 2025 New Zealand cinema box office. These days, of course, many movies are being released on streaming platforms soon after their theatrical release, reflecting audience demand and habits. But Flicks editor Steve Newall said F1: The Movie – shot with special Imax cameras – promises to be a cinematic experience. 'If you're contemplating seeing this film and you're an Apple TV subscriber and you think you can wait to watch it at home, I think that's a terrible mistake,' Newall said. 'The only thing missing is the smell of the track. 'I'm as excited as anyone to see those cameras speeding around the track at 200 miles an hour.' F1: The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick. Just swap out Tom Cruise for Pitt, and Newall is expecting echoes of the aviation blockbuster. Those comments were also reflected in Rolling Stone magazine's review. 'They practically feel like companion pieces. Kosinski could have called this Form' One: Maverick and no one would have blinked," reviewer David Fear said. Newall said: 'One thing that I'm curious about is whether you can consider an F1 movie an IP movie or not. Is Formula One like Minecraft? Is its brand going to bring people to the screen beyond [those who have] mere passion for motorsport, when it starts to utilise all of its social media power and brand power as an official production? 'It's got the potential to cross into a couple of different parts of the moviegoing audience.' F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, opens in New Zealand next week. Newall thought younger audiences might relate more to Damson Idris, who plays Pitt's F1 teammate, than Pitt himself. 'The modern success of Formula One with youth is something that still surprises me a little bit, to be honest. They've been very, very successful at engaging a much younger audience than maybe the stereotypes of motorsport would suggest.' The movie, which opens in New Zealand next Thursday, has had generally positive reviews. The Independent gave it just two stars but both The Guardian and Empire magazine gave the movie four stars out of five, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw labelling it 'surreal and spectacular'. 'For Formula One fans, the sheer accuracy of F1's depiction of the sport will be giddy-making; for agnostics, the races may feel a touch repetitive, and the level of detail may go over some heads," Sophie Butcher wrote for Empire. 'But whatever your relationship to the sport, the magnitude of what Kosinski and co have accomplished is undeniable. Fasten your seatbelts and see this on the biggest screen you possibly can.' The Little White Lies website described Pitt's 'scintillating form in this shameless PR exercise, which also happens to be one of the year's most purely entertaining cinematic experiences". 'As evidenced by Netflix's wildly popular docudrama Drive to Survive, [the sport] is engineered to continuously fuel its own hype machine," Adam Woodward wrote. 'If you're looking for a serious window into the high-stakes, cut-throat world of Formula One, you certainly won't find it here.' NZ's 2025 box office Official box office figures show A Minecraft Movie is the highest-grossing film in New Zealand so far in 2025, with ticket sales of $10 million. That's followed by local hit Tinā, with $6.4m, and Wicked (released in November 2024) with $6.3m. Two other high-performing movies – Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning and Lilo & Stitch – sit atop the weekly box office list right now, and have both collected about $3.8m at the box office. It's a tough time economically and people don't have as much discretionary income for a night at the movies, but with Jurassic World, Avatar and Superman movies to come, data analyst company Vista expects a surge in moviegoers. 'Year-to-date, the New Zealand box office is tracking approximately 4% ahead of last year's,' Vista Group global head of data science and analytics William Caicedo said. 'While we're currently about 8% behind 2023, recent months have seen a steady stream of successful releases, and the upcoming slate is generating strong buzz and anticipation. This gives us real optimism for how 2025 will shape up compared to previous years. 'Notably, A Minecraft Movie has already outperformed last year's top title, Inside Out 2, in gross earnings. Meanwhile, local title Tinā ranks No 2 in year-to-date grosses and has surpassed last year's heavy hitter Despicable Me 4 at the New Zealand box office. 'The success of Tinā highlights the strong appetite among New Zealand moviegoers for diverse, locally-made stories, not just Hollywood blockbusters." Legendary movie producer John Barnett is certainly hopeful the F1 movie does well. 'Tinā has done very well. It was very well-distributed, and also people didn't know when they were going to be seeing it [at home], so I think that makes a difference. I think it caught up on an audience that wasn't expecting something and it really worked. 'It's a universal story. That's what [filmmaker] Miki Magasiva wanted to make – a universal story. He didn't want to make a Samoan story or a Palagi story. It's a woman who's been through a traumatic incident, who rebuilds her life, and it's got real heart.' Barnett said if F1: The Movie drew around $2m at the box office, it would be doing well. 'It's not necessarily going to be a date movie. It might be Brad Pitt, but it's a sport flick.' For Barnett, Tinā's performance has been heartening, even though it's likely to shortly pass one of his own famous movies at the box office. Tinā sits on box office takings of just under $6.4m and in sixth place as the highest-grossing New Zealand movies of all time, just behind Barnett's Whale Rider, which drew just under $6.5m. 'Good on them, I'm pleased. Most of the films in the top 10 were made at least 10 years ago.' Readership results The publishing industry is celebrating an increase in readership across a broad range of newspapers and magazines. NZME, which publishes the NZ Herald, Stuff and Are Media were all in celebratory mode yesterday. The Herald's monthly weekly audience (digital and print) is now at a record 2.377 million, up 83,000 people on the previous quarter. In print alone, the Herald's daily readership rose 1000, to hit the magical 500,000 mark again. 'It's a plethora of good news,' Herald editor-in-chief Murray Kirkness said. The Herald is the country's biggest newspaper and the Herald on Sunday is the country's biggest Sunday newspaper. Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher said the company had seen significant growth in its digital, print and magazine audiences over the past three months, strengthening its lead over competitors. Are Media titles have performed well in latest readership results. Are Media is also celebrating a boost in readership across its six titles with Kia Ora magazine up 4% to 468,000 readers – its highest-ever recorded readership – the Woman's Weekly up 3% to 419,00 readers; The Australian Women's Weekly (NZ) up 8% to 343,000; Woman's Day up 3% to 329,000; The Listener up 4% to 215,000; and Your Home & Garden up 3% to 113,000. 'Readers continue to seek out these titles for inspiring, informative and trusted local content, and magazines continue to stand out as an attention-rich, engaging platform where content is not only seen, but absorbed,' Are Media editorial director Sarah Henry said. 'On average, readers of Are Media magazines spend over 100 minutes with a copy of their favourite magazine'. Are Media general manager Stuart Dick said he was thrilled with the results. 'It's a clear signal that audiences are drawn to quality content and storytelling they can trust.' Boom! WeatherWatch hits landmark Private weather forecaster WeatherWatch has surpassed an extraordinary milestone itself – 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. As founder and boss Philip Duncan points out, that's light years ahead of the Government-owned MetService (4.9k) and Niwa (8.3k). It's also 1000 ahead of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand's most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. Watch Media Insider – The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Over 4,100 Trees In Nagpur Found Choked, Just 1,100 Freed So Far: NMC to HC
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Thursday informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court that over 4,147 trees across the city were found choked by concrete, but only 1,104 were de-choked so far despite directives and multiple agency involvement. The data was submitted during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL No. 39/2024) filed by environmental activists Sharad Patil, Prachi Mahurkar, Yash Netke, and Preeti Patel through counsel Radhika Bajaj. As per petitioners, while executing road improvement projects, the work of concretisation by cement, asphalt, or bitumen is choking roots of trees. They claimed though administrative instructions are issued to the contractors and subordinate officers to ensure removal of concrete, asphalt, or bitumen near trees, effective steps are not being taken by respondents. NMC counsel Jemini Kasat submitted the affidavit and minutes of meetings with agencies such as NHAI, NIT, and PWD, confirming the extent of choking and partial progress on relief efforts. Kasat told the court two experts—Kaustav Chatterjee of Green Vigil Foundation and Dilip Chinchmalatpure—were included in official de-choking panel as per court's earlier order. The panel has begun conducting site visits to verify work and shared technical recommendations, including removing concrete as per Urban Green Guidelines 2014, ensuring soil aeration, and protecting root systems. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "The experts delivered a presentation on best practices and are expected to submit their assessments during the next review," Kasat said, adding that officials from PWD and NHAI have also been included for effective implementation on the ground. The petitioners objected to their exclusion from committee despite prior experience in tree conservation. The bench, comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Sachin Deshmukh, questioned the civic body on this omission. NMC also submitted various govt departments have started following the 2014 Urban Green Guidelines and cited ongoing environmental audits by NEERI. Kasat informed the court Environment Status Reports (ESR) for the years 2017–18 to 2023–24 (barring 2021–22 due to the pandemic) were prepared scientifically by NEERI and submitted. The 2024–25 ESR is currently under preparation. The division bench gave time to file compliance documents, directing the finalised ESR for 2024–25 to be submitted by July 1, and adjourned the matter to July 9. The PIL highlights the alarming decline in Nagpur's green cover, which decreased from 31 percent in 1999 to a mere 21 percent in 2018, as per a study conducted by ISRO's Regional Remote Sensing Centre in 2019. The petitioners attribute this drastic reduction to the rapid expansion of urban infrastructure projects, which have adversely affected the city's once-abundant greenery.
Business Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Hong Kong-listed ESR gets shareholders' nod for privatisation
[HONG KONG] Shareholders of ESR Group on Friday (Jun 13) approved the scheme resolution proposed by a consortium of investors to acquire and privatise the real estate fund manager. The company is expected to delist from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) on Jul 3, said ESR in a statement. At the scheme meeting held on Friday, over 99.97 per cent of the votes cast by disinterested shareholders in person or by proxy gave their nod of approval. All resolutions related to the scheme were also approved at the extraordinary general meeting. Shareholders will receive the scheme consideration of HK$13 a share in cash – 55.7 per cent higher than the closing price of HK$8.35 a share on Apr 24, ESR's last trading day before the submission of its non-binding privatisation proposal. Overall, the proposed offer is valued at HK$55.2 billion (S$9.5 billion) on an equity basis, making it the largest privatisation from the HKSE since 2021. ESR had received a non-binding and conditional privatisatsion proposal in April last year. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up A consortium of investors led by Starwood Capital Group, Sixth Street Partners and SSW Partners then made an offer to take the real estate fund manager private last December. The consortium includes private equity fund Warburg Pincus, sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority and ESR co-founders Stuart Gibson, Charles de Portes and Jeffrey Shen. In a statement then, the consortium highlighted that the company needed to transition to an asset-light platform, re-focus on new economy sectors, simplify its current portfolio, realise cost synergies and optimise its balance sheet. But these may come with short-term earnings fluctuations and are therefore best executed in a private setting. 'The (proposed privatisation), if successful, would transform the company's shareholder register to include highly experienced world-class investors, whose long-term capital will support (the company's) strategic transformation and growth, while maintaining a prudent and effective governance structure that protects minority shareholders.' Stuart Gibson and Jeffrey Shen, co-founders and co-chief executive officers of ESR, added in the Friday statement that the soon-to-be private company would be better positioned to focus on its long-term strategic transformation and value creation for all stakeholders. ESR, which sponsors four real estate investment trusts in Singapore, has over US$150 billion in assets under management. It focuses on real estate assets such as warehouses and data centres in markets including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.
Hi Dubai
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Common Compliance Mistakes That Could Cost Your Dubai Business
Starting a business in Dubai comes with endless opportunities, but success isn't guaranteed by vision alone; it's secured through compliance. With so many legal layers and regulatory updates, the question is no longer whether you're growing fast enough. It's this: Are you growing correctly? A simple oversight could lead to heavy fines, visa restrictions, or even losing your trade license. In this article, we explore the most common compliance mistakes businesses in Dubai make, how they happen, what the consequences are, and, most importantly, how to avoid them before it's too late. 1. Choosing the Wrong Business License for Your Activities When you set up a business in Dubai, your license must match every activity you plan to carry out. If it doesn't, you're not just bending the rules, you're violating them. What's the issue? Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Free Zone authorities issue licenses under specific categories like commercial, professional, industrial, or e-trader. If you operate outside the scope of the licensed activity, even by mistake, you're in non-compliance. Penalties and consequences AED 5,000 fine for unauthorized activity Up to AED 50,000 for repeated or severe cases Additional fines for operating during the grace period without renewal Risk of business suspension, visa cancellations, blacklisting, and even forced closure How to stay compliant Regularly review your business activity against your current license Update your license before adding new services or products Renew your license on time to avoid the risk of expiration-related fines Always keep your licensing documents accessible for inspection 2. Setting Up in the Wrong Jurisdiction (Mainland, Free Zone, Offshore) Not all jurisdictions are created equal. Where you register your company on the mainland, in a free zone, or offshore determines your scope of operations, visa abilities, and compliance responsibilities. What's the issue? Each structure has its own rules for labor, visas, and business activities. Choosing the wrong one can block your expansion plans or expose you to legal violations. Penalties and consequences Visa restrictions or inability to sponsor employees Legal violations for employing staff under the wrong labor code Fines or operational limitations for exceeding business activity permissions Blacklisting for operating an offshore company onshore How to stay compliant Match your business model with the right jurisdiction based on your customers and operations Verify visa and labor law rules before hiring Consult legal experts when setting up or expanding your business to ensure proper structure from the beginning Understand office space and visa quota requirements to avoid future disruptions While Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) were once essential, new rules under the the UAE's Corporate Tax regime now govern the compliance landscape. What's the issue? Many businesses are still focused on ESR filings even though the rules have changed. Failing to meet current substance requirements under Corporate Tax could result in tax issues. Penalties and consequences (for older ESR non-compliance) AED 20,000 for missing notification AED 50,000 for incomplete or incorrect reports AED 400,000 for repeated violations Possible license suspension or blacklisting How to stay compliant Ensure all ESR reports were submitted for financial years ending before 2023 Focus on meeting Corporate Tax substance standards through UAE-based staff, office space, and real business control Consult tax professionals to confirm your structure meets updated Ministry of Finance expectations Keep proper documentation ready for audits or tax residency evaluations 4. Mishandling VAT Registration, Invoicing, and Payments VAT compliance is still one of the most misunderstood areas for Dubai businesses, even years after its introduction in 2018. What's the issue? Many businesses delay registration, issue incorrect invoices, or file returns late—all of which attract penalties. Penalties and consequences AED 20,000 for late VAT registration AED 5,000 per incorrect tax invoice AED 10,000 for poor record-keeping (AED 50,000 for repeat offenses) Late payment penalties that grow monthly, up to 300% of the unpaid tax Fines of up to AED 1,000,000 for severe infractions How to stay compliant Register if your taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000 annually Issue invoices with the correct format, including TRN and VAT breakdown Submit returns within 28 days after each tax period Use voluntary disclosure forms to correct errors over AED 10,000 Maintain records for five years and update your FTA profile when any changes occur 5. Mismanaging Employment and Visa Rules Employment laws differ across mainland and free zones, and failing to follow the right rules can lead to serious trouble. What's the issue? Using the wrong visa sponsorship, skipping standard contracts, or not meeting gratuity calculations can all count as violations. Penalties and consequences AED 20,000 for unauthorized hiring AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for visa violations Fines and lawsuits for incorrect gratuity payments or leave entitlements Criminal charges for fake Emiratisation hiring practices How to stay compliant Use the correct contracts—MoHRE for mainland, zone-specific for free zones Make sure the office size and visa quotas match your hiring plans Avoid deploying free zone visa holders on the mainland without approval Pay salaries on time, calculate benefits accurately, and never withhold passports 6. Neglecting Cybersecurity Obligations and Data Protection Laws In a digitized economy like Dubai, data security is not just a technical requirement, it's a legal necessity under the UAE's Information Assurance Regulation and Cybercrimes Law. What's the issue? Businesses often fail to implement basic security protocols or underestimate the risks of poor online behavior by staff. Penalties and consequences AED 150,000 to AED 3,000,000 in fines for unauthorized access, data tampering, or illegal online behavior Jail terms for serious violations, including slander, hacking, and false information dissemination Deportation risks for non-citizens violating cybersecurity laws Blacklisting and forced shutdown in severe cases How to stay compliant Adopt IA Regulation controls if your company falls under critical infrastructure or government-related sectors Secure your data systems and train employees on responsible online behavior Don't publish false news or use networks to insult, harass, or deceive Report incidents promptly and have a recovery plan in place Ensure marketing and communications are clear, accurate, and legally vetted Customer trust is earned, but it can be lost instantly if your business fails to meet the UAE's consumer protection laws. What's the issue? Misleading ads, poor-quality products, improper invoicing, or misuse of customer data are all considered violations. Penalties and consequences AED 10,000 for not issuing invoices in Arabic AED 50,000 for false advertising AED 100,000 for ignoring warranty and after-sales obligations Up to AED 2,000,000 for supplying unsafe goods Confiscation of products and business closure for repeat offenses How to stay compliant Ensure all goods meet quality and safety standards Issue detailed Arabic invoices and display correct prices Get customer consent before using their data for marketing Set up proper complaint handling systems Register promotional campaigns with the right authority (like DET) 8. Failing to Implement Strong Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Practices Money laundering laws in the UAE apply to more than just banks; they include real estate agents, gold dealers, accounting firms, and more. What's the issue? Skipping basic due diligence or failing to report suspicious activity can put your business on regulators' watchlists. Penalties and consequences AED 100,000 to AED 1 million for failing to report suspicious transactions Up to AED 5 million for poor record-keeping or not appointing a compliance officer License suspension, criminal charges, and asset seizure Personal accountability and fines for managers and owners How to stay compliant Register with goAML and report any suspicious activity immediately Conduct customer due diligence before and during relationships Provide regular AML training for staff and implement internal audits Follow sanctions lists and freeze suspicious accounts as required Encourage internal whistleblowing and act on red flags promptly 9. Ignoring Corporate Governance and Ethical Conduct Standards Strong governance builds business credibility. Weak internal control systems can leave you vulnerable to investigations, fines, or worse. What's the issue? Many companies in Dubai, especially financial entities in DIFC or regulated sectors, underestimate their obligations under local governance frameworks. Penalties and consequences USD 1.3 million in fines imposed on firms and individuals in 2024 for ethics and compliance failures Personal bans on directors or managers involved in misconduct DFSA or Central Bank scrutiny, leading to frequent audits and restrictions Reputational damage that could scare off investors and clients How to stay compliant Set up a proper board structure with independent oversight Create written codes of conduct covering conflicts of interest, bribery, and ethical behavior Implement strong internal audits and compliance monitoring Establish confidential reporting systems and whistleblower protection Deliver regular governance training to leadership and employees 10. Mishandling Import, Export, and Customs Procedures If your business deals with physical goods, even a minor customs mistake could hold up your entire supply chain. What's the issue? Wrong HS codes, under-declared values, expired re-export timelines, or incorrect documentation can all trigger inspections, fines, or shipment holds. Penalties and consequences AED 500 to AED 5,000 per incident for errors in declarations or importing restricted goods 10% of the CIF value fine for failing to re-export Free Zone goods on time Seizure of containers, delays in clearance, or revocation of trade privileges Legal exposure and reputational damage if repeated violations are recorded How to stay compliant Use Dubai Trade and Mirsal 2 for all declarations and updates Declare goods accurately using the correct HS codes and CIF values Maintain valid permits for restricted items and monitor re-export timelines Use the voluntary disclosure system for honest reporting of mistakes Stay informed of updates from Dubai Customs and other regulatory bodies In a fast-paced and highly regulated environment like Dubai, avoiding fines isn't your only goal. True compliance protects your company, builds trust with clients and authorities, and sets you apart as a reliable player in your industry. If you think of compliance as a checklist, you'll constantly be playing catch-up. But if you embed it into your strategy—structuring your licenses right, training your team, maintaining good governance, and staying updated with legal shifts—it becomes a competitive advantage. It shows that you're not just doing business in Dubai. You're doing it right. Also read: UAE Updates VAT Rules with New Exemptions and Simplified Procedures The UAE Cabinet has approved Decision No. 100 of 2024, amending certain provisions of the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT), as announced by the Ministry of Finance. Corporate Tax for Enterprises in the UAE: Recent Changes to CT Rules We tell you everything you need to know about the UAE corporate tax and how it applies to enterprises in Dubai and the UAE. Export Opportunities: Using Dubai as a Global Trade Hub Dive into why Dubai stands out as a trade hub, which sectors hold the most promise and how local businesses can seize these opportunities to thrive on the world stage. Global Energy Investment to Reach $3.3 Trillion in 2025 as Clean Technologies Surge, says IEA Global energy investment is projected to hit a record US$3.3 trillion in 2025, with clean energy technologies attracting more than double the capital flowing into fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
