01 | Dubai extends customs duty suspension period to 180 days

As of 2026-09-25, businesses using Dubai’s customs duty suspension arrangements have more time to manage cash flow and documentation, but should still verify each declaration’s filing date, original expiry date, and transaction type. Dubai Customs has extended the suspension period for eligible customs declarations by another 60 days, increasing the total period from 120 days to 180 days.

The extension applies to declarations whose original suspension periods expire after February 27, 2026, and on or before October 31, 2026. It covers imports intended for re-export, temporary admission, and all types of transit. The additional 60 days begin when the original suspension period expires; the measure took temporary effect on its date of issuance and will remain in force until a subsequent customs announcement terminates it.

Source: Gulf News, 2026-09-24

02 | UAE Central Bank bars Bank Melli Iran branches from cross-border transactions

Businesses with trade finance or fund-transfer arrangements involving Bank Melli Iran’s UAE branches should review their existing payment routes immediately. The Central Bank of the UAE has prohibited all of the bank’s UAE branches from conducting financial transactions to and from Iran, including trade finance and fund transfers.

The regulator said its investigation found non-compliance with UAE regulations, laws, and supervisory decisions concerning anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing. Bank Melli Iran’s website lists eight branches in the UAE, including a regional office.

Source: The National, 2026-09-23

04 | Strait of Hormuz risks push Brent crude above $106

The latest price movement primarily reflects risks to seaborne crude supply security, so businesses exposed to Gulf shipping should reassess their fuel and logistics budgets. At 7:24 a.m. Tokyo time on September 25, Brent crude stood at $106.60 per barrel, up $3.52 or 3.41%; Murban crude, a key benchmark for Abu Dhabi and the wider Gulf market, reached $117.60 per barrel, up $4.52 or 4%.

West Texas Intermediate traded at $94.51 per barrel during the same period, putting the Brent-WTI spread at about $12.09. The report linked the price increase to concerns over the US-Iran conflict and the security of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Crude continues to move through the strait, but tanker traffic remains below normal levels.

Source: Gulf News, 2026-09-25

05 | Qatar Investment Authority and J.P. Morgan establish a $20 billion partnership

The allocation is already defined: $15 billion for public equities and $5 billion for private-market investments in US middle-market companies. Qatar Investment Authority and J.P. Morgan Asset Management have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a $20 billion strategic partnership spanning equity and credit capabilities across public and private markets.

Under the announcement, J.P. Morgan Asset Management will manage customized global equity portfolios for Qatar Investment Authority. The two organizations will also provide senior financing to established US middle-market companies, focusing on the industrials, services, healthcare, and technology sectors.

Source: PR Newswire, 2026-09-21

Other updates

  • 07 | Turkish central bank uses more than $6 billion amid fund turmoil: The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye used more than $6 billion during a period of fund-market turmoil and rising deposits. (Source: Türkiye Today, 2026-09-24)
  • 08 | UAE suspends all Iranian airline flights: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE from September 24 until further notice. (Source: Gulf News, 2026-09-24)
  • 09 | Abu Dhabi extends office-free operating period for entrepreneurs by one year: The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development extended by one year the period during which Tajer Abu Dhabi licence holders may operate without physical premises. (Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office, 2026-09-24)
  • 10 | Iraq introduces new procedures for bank transfers related to imports: Independent Press Agency cited an Iraqi central bank document requiring licensed banks to complete a pre-declaration through ASYCUDA and collect customs duties and tax deposits in advance before processing outward transfers for imports. (Source: Independent Press Agency, 2026-09-24)
  • 12 | Saudi Arabia seeks public input on algorithmic trading rules: The Saudi Capital Market Authority opened a public consultation on proposed regulations for algorithmic trading. (Source: Coinfomania, 2026-09-24)
  • 14 | Qatar closes 388 worksites for heat-stress violations: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour recorded 644 violations and closed 388 non-compliant worksites during 1,638 site inspections under its 2026 Heat Stress Prevention Campaign. (Source: The Peninsula, 2026-09-24)
  • 15 | Türkiye examines protections for investors in troubled funds: Türkiye’s Treasury and Finance Minister will chair inter-agency meetings on the liquidation and payment processes for 131 troubled funds managed by 7 portfolio management companies and held by 455,758 unique investors. (Source: Hürriyet Daily News, 2026-09-24)
  • 17 | Oman launches nearly $7 billion in private-sector tenders: Oman Investment Authority floated nearly 2,300 tenders worth OMR2.6 billion, or about $6.8 billion, from the start of the year through September for private-sector businesses and SMEs. (Source: AGBI, 2026-09-24)
  • 18 | Gulf energy routes face pressure to bypass the Strait of Hormuz: A US energy official urged Gulf countries to build new oil transport routes to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz; the report said traffic through the strait had fallen by roughly 95% since the Iran war began in February. (Source: The National, 2026-09-23)
  • 19 | Egypt keeps key policy rates unchanged: The Central Bank of Egypt kept the overnight deposit rate, overnight lending rate, and main operation rate unchanged at 19.00%, 20.00%, and 19.50%, respectively, while maintaining the discount rate at 19.50%. (Source: Central Bank of Egypt, 2026-09-24)
  • 20 | Turkish central bank revokes an electronic money institution’s licence: The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye revoked the electronic money institution operating licence of Papel Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri AŞ, citing its failure to continue meeting licensing conditions and concerns that continued operations could threaten payment-service security. (Source: İlkha News Agency, 2026-09-23)
  • 21 | Egypt allocates industrial land through a rent-to-own model for the first time: Egypt’s Industrial Development Authority allocated more than 300,000 square metres of serviced industrial land to investors across eight industrial zones under its first rent-to-own offering. (Source: Daily News Egypt, 2026-09-23)
  • 22 | Qatar calls for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and negotiations to resume: Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called for the strait to reopen and negotiations to resume during the general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. (Source: Doha News, 2026-09-23)
  • 23 | Schengen visa rules disrupt Turkish road freight to Europe: Turkish truck drivers have been denied entry at EU borders under the Schengen 90-day stay rule; the International Transporters Association said about 25,000 of Türkiye’s 50,000 international truck drivers had been affected. (Source: Hürriyet Daily News, 2026-09-24)
  • 26 | ADQ’s offer for AD Ports Group moves to settlement: All conditions were satisfied for ADQ’s voluntary cash offer to acquire AD Ports Group shares at AED6.25 per share; after settlement, its ownership is expected to increase from 75.42% to 98.93%. (Source: Khaleej Times, 2026-09-22)
  • 27 | Saudi Arabia adds a new liquidity channel for sukuk and bonds: Saudi Arabia is integrating trade execution, clearing, and settlement for riyal-denominated sukuk and bonds into a connected electronic workflow to improve secondary-market efficiency. (Source: Asharq Al-Awsat, 2026-09-23)
  • 28 | Türkiye schedules its first offshore wind tender for early 2027: Türkiye plans to announce its first offshore wind tender by the end of 2026 and hold the auction in the first quarter of 2027, with companies from China, Germany, Denmark, and elsewhere expressing interest. (Source: Hürriyet Daily News, 2026-09-24)
  • 29 | Egypt’s new budget strengthens local revenue reinvestment: Egypt’s Finance Minister said developing local resources across the governorates will be a priority in the next fiscal year’s budget, with part of local revenue redirected to development projects in the areas where it originated. (Source: Egyptian Tax Authority, 2026-09-23)

Last updated: September 2026. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.