credit card surcharge ban from July 1-UAE gov.

Ministry of Economy has warned retailers in the UAE to stop charging fees on credit cards from July 1.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, headed the second meeting of the committee for 2011 which passed resolution prohibiting retailers from imposing charges on credit card usage as commission.

The committee also agreed on liberalising trade of 15 new products including detergents and washing powders, dairy products and juices, drinking water, livestock, feed, fats and oils, and the list will be sent to the cabinet for approval.

”This is strategic to reduce monopoly and exploitation, and will enhance market competitiveness,” said Al Mansoori.

The committee reviewed a report on the advertisements for fast food outlets, and recommended that awareness measures must be initiated to ensure that customers are not misled by catchy advertising and resort to unhealthy eating, especially of junk food.

The committee also reviewed a report on the status of the Call Center in the Consumer Protection Department, and another on the difference between the prices of key food items sold at cooperative societies and major retail outlets.

The committee discussed the Electronic System for Goods Monitoring which is expected to be operational during the second half of 2011. Currently, the ministry is undertaking a pilot phase with some commodities and the results will be generalised for other goods. The new system works through electronic links between the major trading centres and UAE customs ports, and can monitor the prices of 200 commodities on a daily basis.

The committee discussed a report on the increase of prices at gas stations and recommended to open channels of communication between the Ministry of Economy and all petrol stations with the participation of representatives from economic departments to identify the reasons for rise in price.

The committee was briefed on a proposal to reduce rental fees at retail outlets and cooperative societies. The committee recommended the distribution of marketing margins equally between retail outlets and consumers.

Eida to introduce online ID registration soon

Applicants seeking to register in the UAE national identity could fill the needed form at home and avoid standing in long queues at packed registration centres when authorities introduce an online service soon.

The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), which oversees the landmark ID project, said it was in the process of introducing such online service that will allow all applicants of filling the ID form, paying fees and getting an appointment for finger printing without having to go to registration centres.

“We are developing an electronic ID form so applicants themselves can fill it online without having to deal with registration centres…the form will be available online shortly,” EIDA director general Ali Alkhouri told Emarat Alyoum daily.

“Once this service is enforced, applicants will only have to fill the form online though EIDA’s website, upload all needed documents and pay fees online…they then can get an appointment for finger printing online.”

Khouri said existing authorized registration centres would remain in operation for those who do not wish to have their applications processed online.

He told the paper the online service would be introduced on a limited trial basis in September before it is fully enforced by the end of the year.

“This is a strategic move as the new service is expected to largely increase the rate of registration…applicants will be able to register online at their homes or offices without having to wait for long periods at registration centres.”

Khouri said the new service would cut fees paid by applicants by nearly 40 per cent as they will not be required to pay up to Dh70 in fees for registration.

Dubai plans to introduce a new residence visa system for property owners

Dubai plans to introduce a new residence visa system for property owners, reported 'Al Bayan' newspaper.

A government official was quoted as saying "authorities are discussing ways of granting owners of properties in the emirate, residence visas based on transparent rules and legislation".

The new rule is expected to boost the realty sector. However, realtors are wary about the costs involved. As some experts say the costs involved in setting up a company, including mainteance and ownership fees, to register a property under it could go up and this could put off buyers, reported 'Gulf News'.

Yet others believe the new rule would attract foreigners coming to the UAE for visas, thereby, boosting the emirate's realty sector.

The official said "the new mechanism suggests that property owners to establish a company in the free zone and then the company will own the property which will let the property owner who owns the company to obtain a residence permit on the basis of ownership of the company, not the property."

However, property owners must meet specific requirements to be able to establish the company. The official added that the residence visa will be valid as long as the ownership of the company is valid.

Some analysts say the law though will help the real estate market, it will not solve all of the real estate problems in Dubai.

Eida cancels thousands of ID applications

The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) last week cancelled 5,000 applications of candidates who missed their second consecutive registration appointment.

According to a news report in Gulf News, the application fee of such defaulters has been forfeited by the authority. “The cancellation of application means the entire pre-registration process has been cancelled; when they do the process again, definitely they have to pay the fee [again],” Dr Ali Al Khoury, Director General of Eida, has been quoted by the daily today.

According to the official, Eida gave the defaulters a second chance by rescheduling their appointment after applicants failed to turn up the first time. Those who missed the second appointment too will now have to go through the whole process once again, he said.

Al Khoury said the authority had to take strict action because many people fail to turn up for registration on appointment. “They waste their time and others’ too,” he said.

UAE ID card is must for all children

However, kids are not required to be present in person for the registration National Identity Cards for children under 15 years of age has been made mandatory.

The Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) has confirmed that ID cards will henceforth be mandatory for children under 15, apart from them being registered in the population register, reported 'Gulf Today'.
Until now children only had to be registered in the population register. ID cards were not a necessity.
Eida will shortly restructure the procedures of registration in the population register and issuance of ID cards for kids at the designated typing centres.
However, children will not be required to be present in person for the registration, Eida added.
Documents required include: Valid passport; valid residency; coloured photograph with light blue background (size 3.5x4).
The registration fee will be Dh50, in addition to Dhs70 services charges, Eida said.