Sharjah: Issues Law Regulating Digital Department

Sharjah has issued a law regulating the Sharjah Digital Department (SDD).

This law aims to improve Sharjah’s status as a smart digital city, solidifying its local and international leadership and competitiveness.

It seeks to raise awareness among government entities about the importance of digital transformation, transparency, and governance to advance institutional work and enhance stakeholder satisfaction.

The law contributes to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of performance through the excellence of the government sector in digital transformation and providing smart digital services based on global standards.

It supports the government’s efforts to achieve comprehensive development in the emirate by providing shared digital systems, platforms, and channels, facilitating the exchange of information and data among government entities.

The SDD is empowered to develop relevant strategies and standards related to digital transformation, information security, and technology use.

It coordinates joint efforts between institutions in the governmental and private sectors to efficiently build, develop, and manage the digital transformation system and its services.

The department supervises the digital transformation system in the emirate, establishing necessary standards and indicators to support operational plans within government entities and their governance.

Furthermore, the SDD oversees the official government portal, the unified government services platform, and applications developed, operated, and enhanced by government entities.

It develops specifications to ensure optimal use of modern technology, data analysis practices, and AI in government entities, monitoring their implementation.

The department studies, reviews, and approves all initiatives and projects submitted by government entities regarding digital transformation, information technology, and information security to ensure their standardisation across the emirate.

It formulates frameworks and technical standards for infrastructure, data sharing platforms, open data, and digital service and technology management methodologies.

The SDD manages projects and programs related to digital transformation, infrastructure development, digital communication networks, applications, and systems at the emirate level, integrated services, and defines roles and responsibilities for each entity.

It represents the emirate at local, regional, and international levels in relevant fields, participating in exhibitions, events, conferences, seminars, and meetings.

The law outlines the department’s competencies related to digital systems and services, information security, data management, infrastructure, and digital empowerment.

It specifies the Director-General’s authority, including developing policies, overseeing operations, proposing draft laws, representing the department, presenting budgets, signing agreements, forming committees, and delegating powers.

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Sharjah: SEDD Implements Executive Council Decision on Registering Family Businesses

Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) began to implement the Sharjah Executive Council decision regarding the registration of family businesses in the emirate.

This aims to develop the family business system in Sharjah in accordance with the best global practices that go with the provisions of Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. 31/2024 regarding the regulation of family companies in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The SEDD Chairman has stressed that Sharjah is working continuously to develop a legislative and regulatory environment to enhance the growth of family businesses and support their continuity and sustainability over the coming decades, in accordance with the best international practices.

He has added that such thing is important because family businesses represent a basic and significant element in enhancing the growth of the emirate’s economy and supporting its competitiveness regionally and globally.

Also, he has pointed out that in continuation of the national efforts to provide an ideal work environment for family businesses and encourage them to grow and prosper, a number of family businesses have been registered in the Companies Register.

SEDD Director has stated that the decision specified the scope of its provisions to be applied to family companies established in the emirate, existing companies owned by owners from one family, branches of family companies from the emirates, and family companies established in free zones, in a manner that does not conflict with the laws and regulations of the free zones.

According to the decision, the company shall have an incorporation contract in accordance with the provisions mentioned in the Companies Law.

The decision has also included articles regulating the ownership of the family company, the partner’s shares disposition and valuation, the categories of shares, the family endowment company, in addition to the family charter, dispute settlement, dissolution and liquidation of the company, executive decisions, implementation and validity.

Furthermore, the document that regulates the governance of family affairs related to the Family Business, and the family relationship with the family business, in accordance with Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. 31/2024 regarding the regulation of family companies in Sharjah.

This charter includes the rules for family ownership, goals and values, mechanisms for evaluating shares and methods for distributing profits.

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Sharjah: SCC Discusses Developments of Sharjah Ports Customs and Free Zones Authority

The Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) continued its third session of the second ordinary meeting in its eleventh legislative term to discuss the policies of the Sharjah Ports, Customs, and Free Zones Authority (SPCFZA).

A Member of Sharjah’s Executive Council and Chairman of SPCFZA has highlighted the authority’s role in supporting the tourism and commercial sectors, aligning its strategies with federal and local visions.

He has emphasised initiatives like digitising services and using AI to streamline operations, enhance sustainability, and foster community engagement.

Members have raised concerns on emiratising jobs in free zones, boosting customs efficiency, and developing specialised zones for food security.

Proposals included leveraging technology like AI for customs processes, promoting sustainable energy in free zones, and enhancing partnerships with educational institutions to align academic outcomes with market needs.

The session concluded with the SPCFZA reiterating its commitment to advancing Sharjah’s investment environment and supporting the national economy through modern infrastructure and digital transformation.

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Sharjah: Issues a Decree Establishing the Judicial Council

Sharjah has issued a decree establishing the Judicial Council in the Emirate, to be chaired by the Deputy Ruler.

The decree states the establishment of a judicial council called the “Judicial Council”, which shall have legal personality and the necessary legal capacity to achieve its objectives and exercise its competencies.

It shall have financial and administrative independence and shall be the highest authority for the judicial system in the Emirate, aiming to assist the Ruler in managing and organising the judicial authority.

The Judicial Council shall be formed under the chairmanship of the Deputy Ruler, and the membership of the Head of the Judicial Department, the Head of the Legal Department of the Government, the Head of the Court of Cassation, the Head of the Judicial Inspection Department, and two members of the judicial authority chosen by the Judicial Council.

A law shall be issued to organise the Judicial Council in the Emirate, in accordance with the legislative procedures followed.

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Sharjah: Digital Department Creates Platform for Real Estate Services

The Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) signed a partnership agreement with ADRES Real Estate Services to support and enhance all real estate services in the emirate of Sharjah through a single platform that provides reliable and accurate information about the real estate sector.

The agreement was signed in the presence of officials from the Ruler’s Office, Sharjah Digital Department, and Aldar Properties Group.

This event took place on the sidelines of GITEX 2024, where the signing of the partnership agreement was accompanied by the announcement of the integrated real estate platform “Aqari,” which aims to create a qualitative shift in real estate services in the emirate of Sharjah.

The “Aqari” platform is part of the distinguished Sharjah Digital initiatives, which aim to facilitate access to services through a platform available across multiple channels, including an electronic portal and smartphone applications compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems.

This platform will digitise and simplify real estate transactions, enhance transparency, and support economic growth in the emirate of Sharjah by providing a unified database for all properties.

It will include services such as lease contracts, property ownership, agency management, dispute resolution, as well as facilitating buying, selling, mortgaging, and issuing property certificates.

The platform will also work on developing a comprehensive real estate ecosystem that improves customer experience and provides a holistic view of the real estate market for decision-makers.

The “Aqari” platform is set to launch in December 2024, starting with property leasing services, including the endorsement and renewal of lease contracts, issuance of clearance certificates including investment contracts, as well as services from dispute resolution services.

In the first phase, the focus will be on rental services and positive dispute resolution, with plans to integrate all other real estate services in subsequent phases.

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