On 8 May 2026, the UAE Cabinet issued the Executive Regulations to the UAE Competition Law through Cabinet Decision 59/2026. The Executive Regulations provide important clarification on merger control procedure, filing requirements, review timelines, confidentiality, third-party engagement, and post-closing monitoring.
The new rules are a welcome development for businesses and investors navigating the UAE merger control regime. They make the process more structured and, in several respects, less burdensome. However, some key questions remain unresolved, including the definition of control and whether non-full function joint ventures require notification.
For parties considering transactions involving the UAE, the Executive Regulations should now be built into transaction planning from the outset.
