The latest insight in our risk and resilience series outlines how organisations can strengthen contractual readiness and protect their position under UAE law. This series is developed to support business leaders to build confidence, resilience and continuity through disruption.
The latest insight in our risk and resilience series outlines how organisations can strengthen contractual readiness and protect their position under UAE law. This series is developed to support business leaders to build confidence, resilience and continuity through disruption.
In the next part of our risk and resilience series, we focus on identifying critical services, understanding dependencies and building decision‑making that holds under sustained pressure. This series is developed to support business leaders to build confidence, resilience and continuity through disruption.
The next part of our risk and resilience series explores how organisations can strengthen AML, sanctions and proliferation financing resilience — balancing speed, judgement and regulatory expectation. This series is developed to support business leaders to build confidence, resilience and continuity through disruption.
Drawing on insights from the World Governments Summit, Dr Osama El‑Bakry explains why the biggest risk facing boards today is not strategy, but the pace at which governance, oversight and decision‑making adapt to policy change.
Getting started with decarbonisation requires moving from strategy to action. This article outlines five key steps: securing leadership buy-in, measuring emissions, setting credible targets, embedding carbon into core decisions, and building long-term capability. With tightening disclosure rules and UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 11/2024, organisations must act now to reduce risks and unlock value. Grant Thornton helps businesses integrate climate goals into operations and ensure compliance while driving efficiency and growth.
Generative AI is transforming the UAE insurance sector through automation, personalised services, and advanced risk management. This article examines adoption challenges, responsible AI principles, and governance models that insurers need to stay competitive and compliant.
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) continues to demonstrate a robust approach to regulation and supervision across the financial services sector in the UAE. Over the past twelve months, CBUAE enforcement actions have appeared in the headlines more frequently, sending a strong message to the market and emphasising the importance of compliance and consequences of non-compliance. Read the full article to learn more:
This second installment in our three-part series examines the crucial impact of effective complaints handling on Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs). We aim to provide valuable insights into conduct risk management and how LFIs can strengthen their control frameworks to meet the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)’s Consumer Protection Regulation and Standards. GT UAE offers expertise in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and the complexities of maintaining ethical standards while addressing consumer protection and market conduct risks.
This second installment in our three-part series examines the crucial impact of effective complaints handling on Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs). We aim to provide valuable insights into conduct risk management and how LFIs can strengthen their control frameworks to meet the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)’s Consumer Protection Regulation and Standards. GT UAE offers expertise in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and the complexities of maintaining ethical standards while addressing consumer protection and market conduct risks.
The UAE’s financial sector is evolving with a focus on consumer protection, market conduct, and ethical practices, driven by innovation and sustainability. Key advancements include the rise of digital banking, fostering a cashless society and greater convenience. Retail lending has increased, boosting profitability, while fintech solutions enhance financial inclusion. CBUAE Consumer Protection Regulations & Standards emphasize integrating conduct risk management in financial institutions to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. Further, with the launch of the CBUAE’s Ombudsman “Sanadak” highlights the importance of consumer protection, market conduct and the importance of effective complaints handling. Institutions that neglect conduct risk may face regulatory and reputational issues, while those adopting strong market conduct frameworks can build resilience, consumer trust, and competitiveness. Read the full article to learn more.
Understanding the Central Bank of UAE's Fitness and Propriety Regulation and Standards The Regulation and Standards align with international standard setters and global best practices, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to maintaining and growing a globally competitive financial sector. By adhering to these standards, financial institutions in the UAE can enhance their reputation and credibility on the international stage.
The amendments emphasise the need for public joint stock companies to establish comprehensive internal control and risk management systems that align with global standards, particularly the COSO framework, tailored to their size, nature, and operational complexity. To learn more on what steps to take for compliance, read our report:
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has launched the Standard Re. Shari’ah Compliance Function (SCF) to enhance the Islamic Finance regulatory framework. This standard sets clear expectations for Shari’ah compliance, including establishing an independent function, differentiating roles, and creating an annual compliance plan.
Our Discovery Series is an opportunity for us to give back to the community and country in which we serve, through the provision of business insights. We hope that these insights will enable and inform enhanced business performance and innovation across the UAE. The first report in our Discovery Series is Women on Audit Committees in the UAE 2024, and provides baseline data for female representation that we intend to track and benchmark across other regions and markets in subsequent reports. As a firm, we are committed to advocating for gender diversity at senior leadership levels and want to keep the spotlight on this important topic so that change and progress is being made.
As a member of Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD), and in response to an assessment of the UAE’s tax framework by the European Union Code of Conduct Group, the UAE has committed to ensuring standards related to Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) are implemented.