Dubai: Amendment to Railway Regulations

Khaleej Times, 24 July 2023: Dubai Executive Council Decision No. 1/2017 has been amended. The amendments involve the roles and responsibilities of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai. They also detail the functions of the RTA, which include planning, design and development of the public railway network in Dubai.

The RTA has been tasked with defining the requirements, procedures, controls, standards and specifications applied by its Safety Regulatory Entity, as well as the requirements, procedures and controls necessary for issuing the certificates specified in this resolution by the RTA Rail Agency and the Safety Regulatory Entity. Dubai Resolution No. 53.2023 also tasks the RTA with ensuring that certificates issued by the Rail Agency of the RTA and the Safety Regulatory Entity are free from any conflict of interest. These certificates will be issued independently of the owners, operators, contractors and any other individuals or entities covered by the provisions of this resolution.

The RTA will also be responsible for cooperating and coordinating with relevant authorities in Dubai and neighbouring emirates including on integrating of railway and other transportation systems.

The RTA will be authorised to enter into contracts and agreements involving railway systems, adopting policies, plans and programmes submitted to it by the Rail Agency and the Safety Regulatory Entity in all matters related to the provisions the resolution and associated resolutions.

Article 6 outlines the functions of the Rail Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which includes proposing policies, plans, and programmes for developing and designing the public railway network, submitting them to the Director General of the RTA for approval, and supervising implementation after approval.

The Rail Agency will also approve the Railway Protection Rules, General Guidelines, Planning and Design Standards Guide, and establish the criteria for contractor, consultant and operator qualification and accreditation, as well as issuing no-objection certificates and compliance certificates.

Dubai Resolution No. 53/2023 also amends Article 7 and 10 of Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 1/2017 and replaces Article 15 of Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 1/2017 on penalties and administrative measures, Article 17 of Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 1/201 on judicial seizure and Article 18 of Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 1/2017 on complaints.

The Resolution has also replaced two tables Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 1/2017 – Table 4 on fees for issuing certificates and providing services, and Table 6 on violations and fines related to the RTA Rail Agency.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Dubai: Guide on Family Business Governance Issued

Albayan, 11 July 2023: In line with the directives of the Dubai Ruler to develop a comprehensive system which aids family businesses, the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses has released a guide to assist these businesses in creating and implementing the necessary governance frameworks.

The objective is to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and the continuity of operations. This guide draws upon the best international practices while considering the local context of the Emirate.

It emphasises the importance and role of the Family Constitution, also referred to as the Family Accord or Family Protocol. Moreover, it offers practical advice and tools to support families in establishing effective governance practices within their businesses.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Dubai: Controls for Refunding VAT to Tourists Announced

Alkhaleej, 5 July 2023: The digital government of the UAE has set certain conditions and mechanisms that qualify tourists visiting the UAE to recover the value-added tax on their purchases upon leaving the country.

Tourists can get 85 per cent of the total amount of value-added tax that they paid, from which 4.80 dirhams are deducted as a fee for each “Tax Free” mark.

The conditions that qualify tourists to recover the value-added tax and the mechanism for claiming its refund include that the value cannot be refunded on any goods that are consumed in whole or in part in the country, and goods that the tourist does not take with him when leaving the country, and that the age of the tourist must not be less than 18 years.

For the full story, click here.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Dubai: Initiative to Facilitate Establishment of Digital Companies Launched

Emaratalyoum, 13 June 2023: The Dubai Digital Economy Chamber has recently announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing and streamlining the establishment of digital companies in Dubai. The initiative also seeks to provide a range of new services to support technology companies, emerging businesses, and small to medium-sized multinational enterprises looking to launch their operations in Dubai.

As part of this initiative, the Chamber has signed a memorandum of agreements with several companies and establishments which will exclusively offer discounted rates and special offers to participants in the program. These services encompass licensing services, banking solutions, office spaces, and cloud services.

For the full story, click here.

---

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.