RTA Dubai diverts 8 licensing services to smart channels

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is intending to divert several licensing services to smart channels starting from the end of this month. The step is part of a strategy to gradually divert all services in line with our government’s policy to limit the number of clients at service centres and make the Smart City initiative a reality.

“As of the end of this April, customers seeking 8 licensing services will be prompted to use smart channels (RTA Website (www.rta.ae), Dubai Drive App, Service Kiosks, and the Call Center (8009090). The services will be gradually phased out at service centres such that they will cease by the end of June,” said Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Licensing Agency, RTA.

“The services that will go online are: renewal of registration of individually-owned vehicles that need testing, list of registered vehicles, return from tourist trips, registration of the first owner, vehicle(s) ownership certificate, re-insurance certificate, replacement of lost/damaged ownership certificate, and clearance certificate,” he added.

“The RTA is planning to divert more services by the end of September this year, namely: payment of fines, renewal of vehicle ownership with a different number plate, and the changing of the number plate. Accordingly, the processing of these services will be channelled through the said electronic and smart platforms.

“RTA’s policy of migrating licensing services and others to electronic channels is in response to leadership directives to reduce the number of visitors at service centres and enable clients to process their transactions smoothly at their own convenience. The policy saves customers time & effort, concurs with the Smart City initiative and supports RTA’s first and third strategic goals: Smart Dubai, and People Happiness, respectively,” concluded Al Ali.

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.

UAE announce new transit Visa policy

The UAE Cabinet has given the green light for preparations to implement the policy granting entry visas to transit passengers — across all airports in the country.

The visa will be granted to transit passengers who wish to visit the country's landmarks and tourist attractions. The new policy aims to enhance transit visa procedures to enable stopover passengers to enjoy a day out in the country, thus boosting the tourism industry.

The Cabinet formed a working group, led by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, to prepare the new policy considering the possible positive effects it will have on the tourism sector and the economy in general.

About 70 percent of the total passengers who passed through the UAE's airports in 2017 were transit passengers.

The new policy will list visa fees, mechanisms for increasing the number of stop-over visitors, as well as ways to promote the country's tourist attractions.