The UAE has announced a significant reduction in fees for 14 services as part of an ongoing effort to improve the country’s business environment.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the fee reductions will encourage sustainable industries by promoting the deployment of advanced technology that reduces emissions and improves the circularity of the sector. The changes took effect on Jan.1.
The initiative is in line with the UAE’s announcement that 2023 will be the Year of Sustainability.
Fee reduction
For example, the fee for issuing product conformity certificates from a provider of a specific conformity assessment has been reduced to Dhs670 from Dhs1,000.
Other reductions include a conformity certificate for optional products to Dhs1,720 from Dhs3,700; licensing to use the Emirates Quality Mark to Dhs2,000 from Dhs26,000; licensing to use the national Halal mark to Dhs2,000, from Dhs18,000; and scope expansion of the Emirates Quality Mark and the national Halal mark to Dhs250 from Dhs2,500.
Fees for the notification of conformity assessment bodies have been cut from Dhs33,000 to Dhs24,500 and registering conformity assessment bodies from Dhs7,500 to Dhs5,000.
In addition, MoIAT has also waived the fee for selling UAE standards, which previously cost Dhs481.
The reductions in fees will further enhance the attractiveness of the UAE’s business environment, which is currently ranked 12th globally for competitiveness.
“The move aligns with the objectives of the ‘Make in the Emirates’ initiative aimed at creating an attractive business environment for local and international investors and supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs in the industrial sector by reducing the cost of doing business in the UAE,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The reduction of fees will improve the UAE’s competitiveness through economic growth and business development, which will reflect on the index of ease of doing business,” said Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
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