The National Media Council unveils new regulations for electronic media in UAE

The National Media Council unveiled a set of regulations for electronic media, governing all online activities including e-commerce, publishing and selling of print, video and audio material as well as advertising.

The new guidelines apply to news websites, electronic publishing outlets, and on-demand printing, including commercial activities conducted through social media within the UAE, Mansour Al Mansouri, director-general of the National Media Council, told a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

According to the new regulations, social media influencers who promote brands or do e-commerce in the UAE will now have to get a licence from the National Media Council.

The new code of practice, however, does not apply to personal websites and bloggers.

“The regulations seek to help the UAE media sector remain on top of the rapid developments in electronic media, in addition to enriching and organising digital content, and ensuring that media material respects the religious, cultural and social values of the UAE, all the while promoting freedom of expression and constructive dialogue,” Al Mansouri said.

Al Mansouri said the new code of practice provides for balanced and responsible media content that respects the privacy of individuals and protects the public, especially children, from the negative or harmful material.

Media enterprises have three months to ensure their activities fully comply with the new guidelines.

Websites of licensed traditional media such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines are exempt and do not need to secure new licences, Al Mansouri said.

Also exempt are websites of schools, colleges and universities as well as government entities.

Companies registered in free zones shall be subject to the regulation.

Al Mansouri, however, cautioned that all electronic media activities, whether covered by the regulations or not, are necessarily subject to the principles and standards of governing media content in the country.

Al Mansouri said the new guidelines seek to enhance the contribution of electronic media to the wider publishing industry, providing legal protection for the outlets and enhancing their competitiveness, all in an effort to increase advertising spend and spur the sector’s growth as a whole.

The new regulations are part of the NMC’s plan to promote an advanced legislative and regulatory environment for the UAE media sector, keeping it abreast of all technological developments that have transformed media in recent times.

“Today, electronic media has become highly influential and widespread tool; it is imperative that we enhance its reliability. Digital media is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Middle East, especially videos, games and e-books. Regulating this sector will attract new global investments which, in turn, will improve its development and competitiveness,” Al Mansouri said.

UAE economy returning to growth

The UAE has been resilient to the impact of the prolonged oil price slump. Following the recent rise in oil prices to over $60 (Dh220) per barrel, there is a sense that the worst is behind the UAE’s economy and confidence is gradually returning, according to Institute of International Finance (IIF).

“We expect non-oil growth to pick up to 2.7 percent in 2018 and 3 percent in 2019, driven by private consumption and non-oil exports, as fiscal consolidation eases and global trade improves. The deceleration in headline growth last year was due to the oil production decline,” said Garbis Iradian, Chief Economist, Mena, IIF.

The UAE possesses large financial buffers estimated at around $800 billion (Dh2.6 trillion), safe-haven status, excellent infrastructure, and a relatively diversified business-friendly economy, which will help the country cope with lower oil prices. Further progress in diversification into non-hydro-carbon trade and financial services is expected to mitigate the adverse impact of lower oil prices. Non-hydrocarbon GDP accounts for only 30 percent of total GDP, and oil exports for slightly less than 40 percent of total exports.

The UAE has continued to improve the business environment and competitiveness, even from an already high global ranking by the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. “We expect the UAE to be one of the best performers among Mena economies over the next five years. Solid growth will continue to be driven by trade and tourism,” Iradian said.

Firmer oil prices

Overall growth has decelerated to around 1 percent in 2017 due to oil production cuts under the extended Opec agreement and fiscal consolidation. However, sentiment has improved with firmer oil prices. The PMI remained relatively high at 54.8 percent in March 2018 despite the introduction of the VAT in early 2018.

“We see a gradual recovery in economic growth this year and next with improvement in global trade and the expected easing pace of fiscal adjustment in Abu Dhabi. Preparations for Expo 2020 and key projects will support activity in the UAE,” said Boban Markovic, Research Analyst at IIF.

Several high-frequency economic indicators, including retail sales and number of tourist arrivals over the past few months, suggest improvement in sentiment and private sector activity. Non-oil activity in Abu Dhabi is improving after a challenging two years during which deep government spending cuts slowed activity. Key projects, such as the construction of nuclear plants and airport expansion, are progressing, albeit with delays.

Dubai has performed relatively well due to its diversified economy and is projected to do well in the current year. “We expect growth in Dubai to remain slightly above 3 percent. However, economic activity in Dubai continues to be dependent on regional prospects, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran. The volume of property transactions has declined and residential prices have continued to soften,” said Iradian

UAE signs an agreement for hiring Bangladeshis

 The UAE and Bangladesh on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on facilitating recruitment of Bangladeshi nationals in the UAE.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Nomita Haldar NDC, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Expatriate Affairs.

Al Hamli praised the cooperation between the governments of the two friendly countries in various fields, including the promotion of cooperation to recruit qualified manpower from Bangladesh to the UAE in accordance with the laws and regulations in both countries.

"The signing of the memorandum comes within the framework of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to open multiple markets to families and employers in the country and to provide several options for the recruitment of help workers to meet their needs and achieve their aspirations," he said.

Tadbeer centres would soon start providing their service to recruit workers in diverse fields. The MoU said the recruitment office in the UAE shall send a letter of offer to the candidate in Bangladesh, including all the terms of the employment contract.

Both countries agreed to cooperate to make a list of all costs related to recruitment and employment of Bangladeshi workers, as well as spread awareness among them about hiring guidelines before and after their arrival to UAE.

ADJD launches Notary Public e-Platform

Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, ADJD, launched the Notary Public e-Platform that receives 44 transactions and linked to Emirates ID smart card readers.

This step came in line with the department's strategic objective of increasing the efficiency of its judicial and documentation services and making them more accessible and hassle-free to the public to echo the on-going economic development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Yousuf Saeed Al Abri, ADJD Under-Secretary, stressed the department's keenness on having multiple channels for providing its services to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

"It is a part of our plan to provide excellent services as per the best international standards of high quality in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, ADJD Chairman, that aim at providing developing the Notary Public services to meet the needs of the business sector and increasing the emirate's competitiveness," he said.

The new paperless facility receives transactions of power of attorney, notarization of contracts, declaration of assignment, among other services.