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Middle East Edition
22nd May 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
EY: Former head of Abu Dhabi unit is a ‘fraudster’
EY's lead barrister has described Abdulrahman Basaddiq, the former head of EY Abu Dhabi, as "plainly a fraudster" during the opening submissions of a £2.7bn lawsuit concerning the collapse of NMC Health. Mr Basaddiq, who served as an independent director on NMC's board, is accused of influencing other representatives to deflect investigations into the alleged fraud. EY's legal team from RPC claims he received over £2m in additional payments from NMC between 2014 and 2018. The audit firm asserts it relied on the work of EY Middle East, which conducted the audits, while the claimant's lawyers lawyers at Quinn Emanuel argue that both EY entities operated as part of the EY Global network.
LEGAL
New penalties for Saudi labour law violations
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia is revising penalties for labour law violations, as announced by Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi. The updated list aims to clarify violations and penalties, reducing ambiguity for both establishments and inspectors. The ministry is seeking public feedback through the Istithlaa platform before finalising the changes. The revisions address modern work practices, including flexible and remote work, and aim to enhance compliance and protect the rights of workers and employers. The proposed fines vary based on the number of workers in an establishment and the severity of the violation, with serious violations incurring fines ranging from SR200,000 to SR250,000.
WORKFORCE
Oman’s new hiring law sparks debate
The Omani Ministry of Labour's new directive mandates that commercial establishments operating for over a year must employ at least one Omani citizen within 30 days of notification. Mohammed Nasser al Mahrouqi, a representative from Sinaw, raised concerns in Majlis A'Shura, stating that this requirement, along with a minimum monthly salary of RO325, imposes a significant financial burden on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in rural areas. He is advocating for a more comprehensive employment strategy and suggested exemptions for smaller businesses.
HIRING
JPMorgan Chase to boost Middle East headcount
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is set to increase its workforce in the Middle East by over 100 employees, raising its total headcount to approximately 500, as stated by Mary Callahan Erdoes, chief executive of the firm's asset and wealth management division. This expansion reflects a broader trend among Wall Street banks capitalising on the region's rapid economic growth and multi-billion-dollar investment initiatives. With a presence in the Middle East for over a century, JPMorgan has offices in key cities such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh. In 2026, around 700 of the firm's top employees will participate in a kick-off event in Doha.
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Empowering young Emirati media talent
The Dubai Media Council (DMC) is dedicated to nurturing young Emirati media talent through its Emirati Media Talent Pledge initiative. Recently, a DMC delegation, led by Nehal Badri, visited the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to engage with media students and strengthen ties with the academic community. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic education and professional media practice, providing students with real-world opportunities and fostering long-term industry readiness. Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, president and chief executive of HCT, praised the DMC's role in advancing Dubai's media sector, highlighting the importance of empowering youth and discovering promising talent. The visit concluded with HCT students presenting their final-year projects, showcasing their readiness for future careers in the media industry.
AUTOMATION
Robots take over jobs: what’s next?
The global stock of industrial robots is projected to reach 3.4m units by 2024, equating to roughly one robot for every seven humans. According to the study “Robots Statistics 2024 By Revenue, Usage and Companies” by Coolest-Gadgets, robots have already taken over about 14% of jobs previously held by humans. The report highlights the dual challenge of embracing technological advancements while ensuring meaningful employment for all. As robots evolve from simple automation to sophisticated machines capable of real-time interaction, industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and logistics are witnessing significant transformations.
TECHNOLOGY
Tanmiah and Salesflo join forces
Tanmiah Food Company has partnered with Salesflo to enhance its operations through the Salesforce Automation Platform, aiming to boost efficiency and align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The partnership, which was formalised at the Saudi Food Show 2025, will allow Tanmiah to digitise its sales and distribution processes, facilitating real-time decision-making and operational improvements. Tanmiah is a prominent provider of poultry and meat products in the Middle East.
Imkan partners with Saal.ai for AI
Imkan, a prominent developer in Abu Dhabi, has formed a strategic alliance with Saal.ai, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data technologies. Announced at the "Make it in the Emirates" event, this partnership aims to integrate advanced AI and digital solutions into Imkan's operations, enhancing design optimisation and customer engagement. The collaboration is set to pave the way for future-ready living environments, ensuring compliance automation and improved project delivery timelines. Vikraman Poduval, chief executive of Saal.ai, expressed pride in partnering with Imkan to empower the Future of Intelligence Living, highlighting the potential for optimising the real estate development cycle.
INVESTMENT
Qatar's real estate sector on the rise
Qatar's real estate sector is entering a new growth phase, driven by the country's strategic vision and increased transparency, according to Khalid al-Obaidli, president of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat). Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, he highlighted the positive impact of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stating: “The World Cup provided a foundation not just for a single major event, but for numerous future events.” Al-Obaidli noted a strong demand for residential and luxury office spaces, with the first quarter of this year projected to be the strongest in Qatar's real estate history, showing a 17.9% increase in sales and rentals. He reassured that Qatar is “competing with ourselves” to provide a unique lifestyle, while also emphasising the need for private sector developers to understand local market requirements.
Qatar's innovation forum sparks investment
The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) Doha, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Golden Gate Ventures, hosted a forum aimed at enhancing private sector engagement and cross-border investment. This event aligns with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), focusing on economic diversification and entrepreneurial growth. Key discussions revolved around venture formation, capital strategy, and scaling strategies. Sheikha Mayes al-Thani, USQBC Doha managing director, said: “This forum reflects our commitment to enabling global-private sector dialogue that drives sustainable growth.” The forum also highlighted the importance of the venture capital sector in fostering innovation and long-term economic development in Qatar and the MENA region.
INTERNATIONAL
Baidu's bold plan for AI experts
Baidu Inc, led by co-founder and chief executive Robin Li, is set to enhance its efforts to train an additional 10m artificial intelligence (AI) experts over the next five years. This initiative, announced during Baidu Create 2025 in Wuhan, aims to benefit society and generate more employment opportunities. The company plans to offer 21,000 internships for outstanding campus candidates in the next three years, focusing on improving the intern-to-full-time conversion rate. Baidu's commitment to nurturing young professionals is evident, with 87% of over 3,000 summer internships centred around AI fields. Lu Jian, head of Baidu's corporate social responsibility department, highlighted the collaboration with local labour unions to launch a learning platform for skill development. The company also aims to cultivate 5m experts in large language models and 1m in autonomous driving, reinforcing its role in expanding employment and driving economic growth.
 


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