New Emirates ID cards issued system for UAE companies

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAI) announced a new system of electronic application for companies that want to issue or renew Emirates Identity (EID) cards for its staff.The new system allows companies to use FAI services for issuing ID cards electronically.

According to an FAI press statement, the new service aims to change 80 percent of all services provided by the authority for smart and electronic services in 2018, using cutting-edge technologies to make its clients happier. The new service allows companies to renew all EIDs for it staff together, saving time and making it easier for the FAI to deliver the cards to the companies.

Nasser Al Abdouli, director of Service Centres Support at the FAI, said that the new system saves on issuing and renewal fees for the companies, while also reducing the possibility of mistakes and accelerating the issual process.

The FAI launched a campaign to promote awareness among the companies, particularly for company representatives, to explain the benefits of the new system. Training courses will be arranged for the representatives who want to use FAI's new system, Al Abdouli noted.

Al Abdouli explained that the authority has set a number of conditions that must be met by companies that wish to obtain the new system: a key one is that the number of employees of one company, or the group of companies belonging to the same sponsor, shall not be less than 100 employees.

The company must be licensed by the responsible authorities and apply with the FAI to avail of the new system ID issuance system, with the necessary documents, as well as sign a contract.

No increase in UAE Federal Fees for next Tthree years

Federal government fees in the UAE will not be increased for a period of three years.A decision to this effect was taken during a UAE Cabinet meeting and is intended to attract more foreign investments and promote economic and social stability, as well as support the industrial and commercial sectors, officials said in a statement.

The Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace was chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was attended by Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Shaikh Mohammad stressed that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, places the social and economic stability of citizens and residents at the forefront of its main priorities.

“We decided not to increase federal fees during the next three years to consolidate economic and social stability of the state. This will also support our industrial and commercial sectors and attract more foreign investments,” said Shaikh Mohammad.

The Cabinet also issued the executive regulations for Federal Law No. 1 of 2017 on anti-dumping and countervailing and preventive measures, which complements UAE Vision 2021 for a diverse and sustainable economy to achieve sustainable development that is less reliant on oil resources.

Rules for railways

The Cabinet then discussed a draft federal law on the regulation of railways, which will ensure the safe operation of railways in the UAE. Upon approval, the law will have a positive impact, offering different modes of transport in the country and multi-modal transport for both goods and passengers.

A draft law on updating the UAE system to regulate auto spare parts was approved, in addition to standard specifications for the automobile industry.

Visa for cruise crews

The Cabinet also gave the green light to the introduction of six-month multiple entry visas for the crews of tourism cruises, which would encourage cruises to conduct more trips in the area and boost the UAE’s competitiveness in the maritime tourism field.

The Cabinet approved the signing of an agreement with United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs for the UAE to host the UN World Data Forum in 2018.

A decision was also taken to amend a number of agreements with countries and international organisations.

Motorists in Dubai urged to upgrade licence plates

License plates across Dubai are getting a facelift as part of a new regimen being introduced by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

In a new campaign rolled out by the RTA in a public announcement, roads officials are asking vehicle owners who own registered number plates and those who don’t own their plates to upgrade to new-look plates.In its announcement, the RTA said it “would like all car owners with owned registration number plates from A to Z to upgrade to the new plate design. And from May 2018, all car owners with unowned A, B and C number plates are requested to upgrade to the new plate design.”

The RTA encouraged drivers to sign up for the new regimen.

“Be first to upgrade your car look,” it said in its announcement.

Details regarding upgrade costs for owned registered plates were not revealed. But for unowned plate holders of A, B and C, the RTA said there are minimal costs.

For example, for short-length plates, upgrade cost is Dh35 per plate while for longer plates, the cost is Dh50.

For new plates, the cost will be Dh400, the RTA said, while luxury licence plates will cost Dh500.

For more details, visit rta.ae or call 800 9090.

New series up for auction

The RTA, meanwhile, said in a statement on Friday that it is offering a new series of licence plates at an auction next month.

The Licensing Agency of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is intending to offer 300 licensing plates comprising four and five digits in its 52nd online auction. Plates on offer bear the Codes J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S and T. Registration of bidders starts on Sunday.

The bidding will start at 8 am on March 4 and continue for five days.

“Numbers sold in this auction will be subject to a five percent VAT. The wide public participation in online or open auctions and the positive competition to grab such numbers underscore the importance of holding these auctions in bringing happiness and satisfaction to number plate enthusiasts,” said Sultan Al Marzouqi, director of Vehicle Licensing, Licensing Agency.

“Participation in the auction requires the client to have an account opened through RTA’s website (www.rta.ae) or use the ‘New User’ link to obtain a username and password. For a new registration, the user is required to have either a vehicle registered in Dubai or a driver licence issued from Dubai. For participating in the auction, the bidder is required to issue a security cheque to RTA amounting to Dh5,000 and deposit it at one of RTA’s Customer Happiness Centres at Umm Al Ramool, Bur Dubai, Deira or Al Twar Municipal Centre. For payment by a credit card, the client must also deposit Dh5,000 as security. Clients also have to pay Dh120 as participation fees through the website (www.rta.ae)” said Al Marzouqi.

Dubai’s Land Department retains status quo on off-plan sales percentage

Dubai’s real estate authorities have decided to retain the status quo on the percentage developers should put up in escrow before launching off-plan sales. But there could still be significant differences between what developers used to put up earlier and what they have to do now.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Dubai Land Department said developers need to place in escrow 20 percent of the “total project value”. Developers until now had been used to putting up a bank guarantee of the “value of the construction”.

Clearly, there will be a marked increase in developer guarantees if the “project value” is enforced. Project value is much more than the sum of the costs related to construction.

Developers will be awaiting further clarification from the real estate authorities on what this might mean.

There is a strong demand from developers to “deposit the 20 percent escrow of the total value of the future projects they intend to launch”, the Land Department statement had added.

Dubai’s real estate authorities have decided to retain the status quo on the percentage developers should put up in escrow before launching off-plan sales. But there could still be significant differences between what developers used to put up earlier and what they have to do now.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Dubai Land Department said developers need to place in escrow 20 percent of the “total project value”. Developers until now had been used to putting up a bank guarantee of the “value of the construction”.

Clearly, there will be a marked increase in developer guarantees if the “project value” is enforced. Project value is much more than the sum of the costs related to construction.

Developers will be awaiting further clarification from the real estate authorities on what this might mean.

There is a strong demand from developers to “deposit the 20 percent escrow of the total value of the future projects they intend to launch”, the Land Department statement had added.