01 | Saudi Arabia Raises Project Management Localization Requirement to 70%
Summary: As of 2026-08-17, Saudi Arabia announced that project management-related roles will be subject to a 70% localization requirement. For businesses delivering engineering, infrastructure, energy, technology, or consulting projects in Saudi Arabia, this change directly affects hiring plans, job descriptions, PMO staffing, and compliance costs; staffing arrangements should remain subject to the latest official publication by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Source: Arab News / Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 2026-08-17
02 | Egypt Launches Integrated Online Investment Services Portal
Summary: As of 2026-08-17, Egypt launched a new integrated online investment services portal to consolidate investment-related government services, improve process transparency, and make foreign-investor access more practical. For businesses assessing an Egypt office, project investment, or regional production setup, the portal may reduce early-stage information-gathering and procedure-follow-up costs, while specific filing requirements should remain subject to the latest official publication by Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.
Source: Ahram Online / Egypt Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, 2026-08-17
03 | Saudi Arabia Resumes Crude Loading Inside the Strait of Hormuz
Summary: As of 2026-08-18, Reuters reported that Saudi Aramco resumed crude loading and sales from inside the Strait of Hormuz. This development matters for Gulf energy transport routes, Asian refinery procurement planning, and regional supply chain risk assessments; energy trading, shipping, insurance, and related manufacturing businesses should continue to monitor subsequent changes in strait transit and loading arrangements.
Source: Reuters / Saudi Aramco, 2026-08-18
04 | Turkey Withdraws Crypto Asset Tax Clause from Omnibus Bill
Summary: As of 2026-08-18, Turkey withdrew a crypto asset tax clause from an omnibus bill following opposition. The adjustment affects tax-cost expectations, regulatory timing, and compliance-route assessments for digital asset-related businesses, but it does not mean the regulatory direction has been finalized; subsequent arrangements should remain subject to the latest official publication by Turkey’s capital markets regulator and tax authorities.
Source: Yellow.com / Turkey capital markets regulatory sources, 2026-08-18
05 | Qatar Strengthens Commercial Digital Verification to Improve Transaction Security
Summary: As of 2026-08-17, Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry advanced commercial digital verification to improve business transaction security and the reliability of company information. The change is relevant to company registration checks, counterparty due diligence, government service access, and subsequent compliance procedures, making it directly relevant for businesses engaged in trade, engineering services, or local partnerships in Qatar.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar / Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 2026-08-17
Last updated: August 2026. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For professional consultation, please contact the MIRISE team.