Tourism

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has organised a specialised workshop aimed at enhancing professional knowledge and applied best practices in competition law, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, governance, and competitiveness across the UAE’s business environment.

Titled A Closer Look at Competition Law, the workshop was held in collaboration with Covington & Burling LLP and Al Tamimi & Company on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week. It brought together more than 170 lawyers, economists, and legal specialists to examine key aspects of competition regulation, including economic concentration rules, complaint-handling mechanisms, and enforcement practices.

The sessions featured contributions from prominent regional and international organisations, including Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition (GAC), the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA), Baker McKenzie, Emirates General Petroleum Company PJSC (Emarat), and financial and economic analysis firm Iconic Partners.

H.E. Safeya Al Safi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Control and Governance Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said the initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to advancing policies and regulatory frameworks that safeguard fair competition and reinforce good governance principles nationwide.

“The Ministry continues to refine its regulatory ecosystem to strengthen transparency and competitiveness across national markets,” H.E. Al Safi said. “By building institutional capacity and raising professional awareness of competition laws, we ensure alignment with international best practices and effective enforcement standards.”

She added that the workshop addressed recent legislative and regulatory developments, oversight of economic concentrations, and mechanisms for tackling anti-competitive practices. Strengthening understanding of these frameworks, she noted, supports sustainable economic growth, attracts investment, and contributes to balanced markets that encourage innovation and productivity.

Mohammed Sultan Janahi, Director of the Competition Department at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the workshop’s role in bridging theory and practice for legal professionals. He praised the collaboration with Al Tamimi & Company and Covington & Burling LLP for facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting the Ministry’s efforts to promote a culture of compliance.

Discussions also focused on recent updates to the UAE’s competition landscape, including enhanced procedures for monitoring mergers and acquisitions, notification thresholds, approval mechanisms, and compliance requirements. Practical case studies addressed complaint handling and the role of enforcement authorities in protecting markets from unfair practices.

Participants underscored the importance of raising awareness of updated competition policies, strengthening coordination between legal and enforcement stakeholders, and building a sustainable professional knowledge network. These efforts, they noted, contribute to reinforcing responsible business practices and further enhancing the UAE’s position as an attractive destination for investment.

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