Page 306 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

6/26/25, 8:58 AM UAE showcases its experience in developing legislative framework for competition protection at 6th Arab Competition Forum in Iraq
The forum served as a significant platform to explore the pivotal role of competition policy in fostering
innovation and attracting foreign investments. It underscored the importance of establishing institutions
for competition and strengthening investigative capacities in line with global best practices. Through a
series of engaging discussions, participants explored key topics such as the enforcement of competition

law, the transformative impact of technology on markets, and strategies for improving coordination
among Arab competition authorities. Additionally, the event highlighted successful experiences and best
practices from member states.

In his keynote address at the forum, Mohammed Sultan Janahi, Director of the Competition Department

at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the UAE’s pioneering efforts in establishing a
robust legislative framework to safeguard competition. “By aligning with global best practices, this
framework fosters fair business practices, drives sector-wide productivity, and reinforces the UAE’s
position as a highly competitive and attractive destination for both regional and international investors,”

he added.

The Federal Decree-Law No. (36) of 2023 on Competition Regulation marks a transformative
advancement in the UAE's competition protection framework. This landmark legislation significantly
strengthens the legal system's autonomy while broadening its jurisdictional reach to encompass all

activities affecting UAE markets - including cross-border operations and digital marketplaces.

The new law reaffirms the UAE's commitment to aligning with global best practices by limiting
exemptions exclusively to fully government-owned entities that play a vital role in the national economy.
To ensure effective implementation, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with key
government stakeholders, will conduct a nationwide series of workshops in 2025, engaging judicial

authorities, local economic departments, legal experts, and private sector representatives. These
initiatives aim to deepen understanding of the new legislation and its compliance requirements, directly
supporting the "We the UAE 2031" vision.

In this regard, Cabinet Decision No. (3) of 2025 concerning the thresholds for notification of economic

concentration operations reinforces the role of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in monitoring and
supervising economic concentration activities of establishments in the country, ensuring compliance
with fair competition rules. This is achieved by specifying the thresholds and controls related to dominant
positions and the obligatory notification of economic concentration operations implemented under the
Competition Regulation Law. These measures are designed to strengthen fair competition, ensure

market stability, deter monopolistic practices, and promote market access for new entrants - an essential
step given that the UAE is home to over 1.1 million companies and economic institutions.

The Cabinet's decision establishes clear notification thresholds based on two key financial criteria: when
the combined annual local sales of the parties in the relevant market exceed AED 300 million in the

preceding fiscal year, or when their aggregate market share surpasses 40 per cent of total transactions

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