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Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid chairs UAE Cabinet meeting, approves Optional System for End-Of-Service Gratuities for private sector Employees

ABU DHABI, 4th September, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance; and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Today, I chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi. We affirm our commitment to continue the UAE ambitious strategy for space sector. The UAE will carry on qualifying Emirati astronauts for more missions to the International Space Station (ISS). We welcome Sultan AlNeyadi, the first Arab Astronaut on long mission at ISS after conducting multiple experiments, supported by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) which oversees the National Space Programme and future space missions… Sultan is a role model for millions of youth in the UAE and in the Arab region.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “During the meeting, we approved an Optional System for End-Of-Service Gratuities for private sector and free zones Employees… The system is optional for employers to join, and includes establishing private sector investments and savings funds supervised by Securities and Commodities Authority in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.”

His Highness added that through these funds, employees can invest and save their end-of-service gratuities according to various investment options. “The aim is to safeguard workers' savings, which constitute the end of service gratuities, and to ensure that they are safely invested in order to guarantee their rights and to achieve the stability of their families…Also, government sector employees can participate in the System, for savings and investment purposes.”

His Highness noted: “Today, we also approved a federal law restricting the maximum weight that can be carried by heavy vehicles in the UAE. By next year (2024), heavy vehicles with a total weight exceeding 65 tonnes will be banned from using the roads, in order to protect our advanced infrastructure and raise safety levels on UAE roads.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed added: “During the Cabinet meeting today, we approved the establishing of the ‘Federal Regulatory Bureau for Electricity and Water’… The Bureau aims at regulating the electricity and water trade in the UAE and abroad, in addition to regulating the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and water in the country. The Bureau will work under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure”.

His Highness said: “Also today, we approved a new Rewards and incentives System for the employees of the Federal Government, within three categories: employee's outstanding annual performance, exceptional achievements at the entity level, or employee’s contribution to a national achievement for the nation. The goal is to ensure a flexible reward system that enhance the competitiveness and achievement of our federal government cadres.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum concluded: “As part of our continuous development of federal legislative system, the UAE Cabinet today adopted 11 new federal laws, including the new E-commerce law; new law regulating the media sector; Reproductive Health law; Space Sector Regulation law; Human Genome use law and other socio-economic, health and technological laws… The aim is to strengthen the legislative environment in the UAE and promote social stability, economic growth and better quality of life.”

During the 6-month space mission, Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi conducted over 200 advanced research experiments and studies under the supervision of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, in the longest ever Arab space mission.
In collaboration with international space agencies and UAE universities, Al Neyadi succeeded in conducting a number of scientific researches and experiments in various fields, including: plant cultivation, humanities, space exploration techniques, behaviour of fluids in space.
MBRSC adopts the “UAE Astronaut Programme”, which provides the UAE’s space projects with national competencies. The first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori, who undertook a scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, was a graduate of the programme. Emirati astronauts that have graduated from the Programme include Sultan AlNeyadi, Mohammed AlMulla, and Nora AlMatrooshi, the first Arab female astronaut.

Optional System for end-of-service gratuities
The UAE Cabinet approved a new Optional System for end-of-service gratuities substituting the existing End of service system for workers in the country. The Optional System allows all employees in the private sector and free zones to participate in it, and is considered optional for employers.
As per the law, all employment of different occupational levels and working patterns can benefit from the new Optional System. Also, government sector’s employees are entitled to join the system, for savings and investment purposes.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in coordination with the Securities and Commodities Authority will be supervising the system and its funds all over the Emirates.
The system includes three main investment options: Risk-free investment that maintains capital; risk-based investment where the risk varies between low, medium and high; and the sharia-compliant investment.
The system sets mechanisms for each option to contribute to the achievement of the associated objectives and to enhance the competitiveness and stability of the UAE’S labour market.
Employers participating in the System, have the right to choose the employments’ categories to benefit from the system, and are asked to pay a monthly contribution. Upon termination of service, the beneficiary (employee) receives his savings under this system.
Legal financial benefits will be paid to the beneficiaries, including accrued returns on participation in the system's investment funds, after the termination of the employment relationship. If an employee dies, financial benefits will be given to the eligible person.
Developing the labour complaint system
The UAE Cabinet approved a decision regulating labor relation and the Federal Decree Law concerning Domestic Workers. as per the law, the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation will be responsible of issuing decisions regarding labor disputes in which the value of the contested claim do not exceed AED 50,000; in addition to handling friendly settlements, and a number of other disputes.
Federal Regulatory Bureau for Electricity and Water
The UAE Cabinet meeting approved the establishing of the ‘Federal Regulatory Bureau for Electricity and Water’ under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The Bureau will coordinate with relevant authorities to regulate the electricity and water trade between the UAE and abroad; create a competitive environment among the electricity and desalination companies working in the country; and apply the governmental directives on the energy and water sector. In addition, the Bureau aims at protecting consumers rights, and regulating the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and water in the country.

Weights and Dimensions of Heavy Vehicles
During the meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved the amendment of the federal law restricting the maximum weight that can be carried by heavy vehicles in the UAE. as per the amendments, heavy vehicles with a total weight exceeding 65 tonnes will be banned from using the roads by next year (2024). In coordination with the relevant federal and local authorities, a smart electronic gate system will be installed to measure and monitor the weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles, in order to protect the UAE’s advanced infrastructure and to raise safety levels on the roads.

Developing UAE’s legislative system
The Cabinet meeting also approved amendments to a number of federal laws, including Federal law on Road transportation; federal law on Medical Products the Profession of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Facilities; federal law on judicial fees in federal courts; and federal law on Mediation for the Settlement of Civil and Commercial Disputes.
The amendments also included the E-commerce; media regulation; Reproductive Health; Space Sector Regulation; Human Genome use; competitiveness; auditors’ profession; insurance; UAE Space Agency; and the Exam Testing System in the UAE.

Within the UAE’s commitment to meet the requirements and standards for countering money-laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and supplementing the recommendations and methodologies issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Cabinet approved amendments on the decision of activating the real beneficiary at all registered and licensed establishments in the country.

New framework for a proper use of the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
The Cabinet assigned the “UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work” to develop a framework for a proper use of the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and reducing its resulting climate impacts, in coordination with concerned federal and local authorities.
Also, the ministry in coordination with concerned federal and local authorities, is assigned to study the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on the phasedown of HFCs.

New Rewards and incentives System for employees of Federal Government
The UAE Cabinet approved a new Rewards and incentives System for the employees of the Federal Government, in order to motivate them and recognize their contributions and achievements.
The system identified three categories, including employee's outstanding annual performance, exceptional achievements at the entity level, or employee’s contribution to a national achievement for the nation.

The UAE Cabinet approved a number of international agreements with friendly countries including Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Republic of Mozambique, and the Republic of Türkiye, in addition to an agreement with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on the establishment of the sub-regional office of the International Office of Epizootics.

The Cabinet approved the UAE hosting of the third edition of the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels. Represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority, the UAE will host the conference between 20th to 24th November 2023.

The meeting reviewed the Emirates Tourism Council’s Report 2022, showing that the UAE attracts more than 20 million visitors annually. as per the report, 10 percent is the tourisms of the gross domestic product (GDP), about 170 billion dirhams. The tourism sector contributes nearly 750 thousand jobs to the country's labour market.

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Emirates

World Free Zones Organization Launches its New Corporate Identity

The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) has launched its new corporate identity, which coincided
with its 10th anniversary. The launch came during the 10 th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress in Dubai held under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’, In conjunction with the launch of its new corporate identity, the World FZO announced its new vision, mission, and purpose. Its new vision focuses on driving global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth through empowered free zones, setting the benchmark for economic advancement. As part of its new mission, the World FZO aims to engage with free zones from around the world by supporting them through knowledge
sharing, networking, advocacy, and consulting, enhancing their positive impact and contributions to economic and social development in their respective countries.
The World FZO reaffirmed its commitment to its core values while enhancing its approach by adopting the
latest practices and keeping pace with rapid global changes. This forward-thinking approach enables the
organisation to reshape prevailing perceptions and highlight its distinctive and innovative methods.
With its new identity, the World FZO also emphasise its dedication to launching purposeful and transparent initiatives that solidify its role as a catalyst for positive change on the global stage.
The organisation’s new corporate identity represents its three strategic pillars: Impact, Influence, and Trust. Its focus on Impact will drive sustainable growth and effectiveness, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of socio-economic development and innovation. Under its second pillar, Influence, it seeks to shape the future of global trade and investment by advocating for policies that foster growth and opportunity for businesses and communities. Furthermore, by building Trust, the organizations will reinforce its role as a steadfast ally, providing the advocacy needed to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving global landscape. The organisation’s key objectives for its new phase include opening new investment horizons and reinforcing social contributions by supporting net-zero initiatives.
The World FZO remains focused on fostering trade relations and partnerships between economic zones in its member countries, while broadening its activities to encompass emerging economic sectors. These sectors align with the demands of the era, including artificial intelligence, digital trade, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advanced technologies.

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Emirates

Dubai Customs Launches Innovative Training Program to Enhance Emiratisation Efforts

– Specialized Vocational Program Under "Masar 33" Aims to Train and Employ 80
Citizens
– Sultan Bin Sulayem: Our Plans Align with National Vision and Goals
– Abdulla Mohammed Busenad: A Strong Commitment to Supporting
Nationalization Efforts in the UA

Dubai Customs is launching a significant initiative to train and employ 80 new high school graduates as “Customs Inspectors.”in line with the vision of the Dubai government and contributing to the goals of the Dubai Economic and Social Agenda, along with the leadership’s commitment to invest in citizens and increase Emiratisation rates.
This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to enhance the participation of citizens
in the economic development process and to support the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan goals
by investing in the youth and equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to
keep pace with global changes. The department has allocated a vocational program in
customs inspection for candidates selected from Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024, providing them
with professional training for seven months both domestically and internationally before they
take up available positions. This initiative is part of the pioneering “Masar 33” program
designed to meet Dubai’s agenda goals by mobilizing all resources and development plans
to ensure the highest quality of life for citizens in the emirate. “Masar 33″aims to enhance
the competitiveness of Emirati talent through various initiatives, professional programs, and
scholarships, establishing Dubai Customs as a cornerstone for advancing the national
human development system, boosting its efficiency and productivity, and increasing its
participation in economic sectors to meet Dubai’s leading aspirations for the future.

Program Objectives:
The vocational program aims to nurture and train new high school graduates by enhancing
their professional skills in line with the Dubai government’s vision. It seeks to integrate
citizens into the labor market from early stages, ensuring their future success and
competitiveness. Additionally, it focuses on building the capabilities of customs inspectors on
scientific and advanced training foundations to address security risks and protect the
community and economy from customs evasion and smuggling, achieving a 100%
nationalization rate in customs inspection at Dubai Customs.

Active Participation:

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation, stated that the organization is committed through its
various initiatives and programs aimed at training and qualifying citizens to actively
contribute to the success of the UAE’s national vision, which is fundamentally based on the
Emirati workforce. He praised Dubai Customs for diversifying its projects in line with the
Dubai government’s plan and its social and economic agenda, enhancing the
competitiveness of citizens in the labor market for both the public and private sectors under
an ambitious strategy to encourage and promote nationalization policies.

Attracting Citizens:
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that
the department provides a range of specialized programs at the highest levels to attract
young citizens and involve them in the development process. Through “Masar 33” which
aligns with the objectives of the Dubai agenda and the leadership’s vision for enhancing
nationalization in both the public and private sectors, the programs enable citizens to gain
knowledge, field experience, and technical skills necessary for joining the labor market
through the approved career path. He noted that the initiative to train recent high school
graduates in customs professions builds upon Dubai Customs’ previous achievements in
qualifying citizens and the positive results attained through a series of diverse programs
covering the most in-demand job sectors. The department remains committed to enhancing
the efficiency of citizens and providing them with the professional opportunities they seek,
reinforcing its commitment to supporting nationalization efforts in the UAE.

Four Pillars:
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director, Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs,
announced the opening of applications for the customs inspector training program during the
Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024 and provided the link to the official Dubai Government Jobs
website. The program is designed around four main pillars: digital skills programs, behavioral
programs, customs science programs, and security programs, alongside practical training in
the department’s customs centers and external training in collaboration with strategic
partners, which includes a comprehensive professional guidance program. He stated, “The
programs provided by Dubai Customs are increasingly popular among young citizens,
confirming the success of the department’ efforts in attracting national talent to shape future
leaders in customs work through various academic and specialized professional paths. This
offers new graduates the opportunity to qualify for roles in Dubai Customs, with 80 vacancies
allocated for graduates of the customs inspector training program.”

 

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Emirates

DCO Secretary-General commends Global Digital Compact at Summit of the Future

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), said that “the digital divide the world faces today is
multifaceted, encompassing gaps in digital intelligence, computing capabilities, gender, and
skills,” in a speech at the Summit of the Future held during UNGA79 in New York.
In her speech, delivered after the UN General Assembly adopted the & Pact for the Future’ and the
‘Global Digital Compact’, AlYahya warned that “The AI and computing divide represents a
significant barrier, as some nations advance rapidly in AI innovation and deployment, while
others struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the gender digital divide continues to limit women’s access to technology and
opportunities, and the skills divide leaves many without the digital competencies essential for
success in a fast-evolving economy. If we do not address these interconnected challenges, we
risk leaving entire communities behind.”
AlYahya praised the Global Digital Compact for “lays out an ambitious roadmap for an
inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all,” emphasizing that “It is a
bold vision, but the real challenge is translating these goals, principles, objectives, and
commitments into action, especially as we strive to achieve the SDGs.”
AlYahya highlighted that “at the Summit of the Future, the DCO proudly launched the Digital
Economy Navigator (DEN), an innovative tool that provides detailed insights on digital economy
performance across 50 countries. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are turning the
principles of the Global Digital Compact into action.”
She explained that “while DEN is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. In the spirit of
networked multilateralism, we must foster collective efforts to the GDC’s ambitious goals,
objectives, and commitments. I call upon every country, organization, and individual to join
forces in this critical endeavor.”
The Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) evaluates digital economy performance through three
intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within these
dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy, and
use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data
sources, in addition to proprietary survey data of more than 27,000 participants across the 50
countries.
In addition to the launch of the DEN, on the sidelines of UNGA, DCO signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance digital cooperation and accelerate
digital transformation across the world, to support efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Arab States (LAS) to
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable digital economy, enhance relations and exchange experiences and knowledge, and accelerate the process of digital transformation and economic development.

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