Law No. (25) of 2008
Concerning the
Department of
Economic Development[1]
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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of
Dubai,
After perusal of:
Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of
Dubai;
Law No. (1) of 1992 Establishing the Department of Economic Development
in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;
Law No. (10) of 2006 Establishing the Dubai Export Development
Corporation;
Law No. (18) of 2006 Concerning Management and Realisation of the Public
Funds of the Government of Dubai;
Law No. (23) of 2006 Establishing the Dubai Statistics Centre;
Law No. (27) of 2006 Concerning Management of the Government of Dubai Human
Resources;
Law No. (18) of 2007 Establishing the Dubai Shopping Festival Office; and
Decree No. (15) of 2002 Establishing the Mohammed bin Rashid
Establishment for Young Business Leaders,
Do hereby issue this Law.
This Law will be cited as “Law No. (25) of 2008 Concerning
the Department of Economic Development”.
The following words
and expressions will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless
the context implies otherwise:
|
Ruler: |
His Highness the Ruler of
Dubai. |
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of Dubai. |
|
Government: |
The Government of Dubai. |
|
DED: |
The Department of Economic
Development. |
|
Director General: |
The director general of the DED. |
|
Economic Activities: |
The economic, trade,
industrial, and foreign investment activities, and other activities and
services of a commercial nature. |
This Law will apply to
the Department of Economic Development established pursuant to the
above-mentioned Law No. (1) of 1992. The DED will have the duties, powers, and
functions assigned to it by this Law.
The head office of the
DED will be located in Dubai. The DED may establish offices within and outside of
the Emirate.
Notwithstanding the
provisions of any other legislation, the DED will be responsible for planning
and regulating the overall economic performance of the Emirate, supervising
economic events and enhancing economic development in the Emirate with a view
to ensuring the achievement and implementation of the goals of the plans and
policies set by the Government for these purposes, including:
1. preparation of comprehensive strategic
plans for economic development in the Emirate, and supervision of the implementation of these plans by setting
and regularly updating the plans required for this purpose;
2.
proposal of local economic legislation and policies,
and the follow-up on their implementation by the entities concerned;
3.
registration and licensing of commercial companies and
economic professions;
4.
management of trade protection processes and audit of
companies and Economic Activities;
5.
contribution to supporting, developing, and promoting
financial markets in the Emirate;
6.
proposal of policies that guarantee competition in
respect of economic practices in the Emirate, and implementation of these
policies once they are approved;
7.
raising awareness of the public and of the business
community in the Emirate regarding economic matters;
8.
development of policies related to licensing economic
professions and establishments operating in the Emirate in accordance with the
relevant legislation;
9.
regulation and control of the performance of economic
sectors and Economic Activities in the Emirate;
10.
economic promotion of the Emirate at local and international
levels;
11.
conducting studies related to commercial and industrial
activities; and
12.
performing any other tasks related to the duties of
the DED.
For the purpose of
achieving its objectives, the DED may:
1.
represent the Government in local and international economic
conferences and events;
2.
establish and manage a network of international offices
to undertake economic promotion of the Emirate in other countries;
3.
coordinate with free zones in the Emirate to achieve
the objectives of the comprehensive economic plan of the Emirate;
4.
establish advisory committees with a view to
cooperating and coordinating with representatives of the business sector and
non-economic stakeholders in the Emirate to ensure implementation and
achievement of the approved strategic plans;
5.
establish companies, hold shares in companies, and own
and take lease of real property, movables, devices, equipment, and software required
to perform and accomplish the duties assigned to the DED;
6.
conclude agreements with corporations, persons, and
companies within and outside of the Emirate;
7.
participate in setting annual plans for the economic
sector in the Emirate; and
8.
follow up the proper performance of duties and
services delivered by establishments affiliated to the DED, and review and
evaluate the performance of these establishments.
Without prejudice to
the provisions of Law No. (23) of 2006 Establishing the Dubai Statistics
Centre, the DED will compile the economic data and statistics required for exercising
its powers and performing its duties. All economic establishments and companies
operating in the Emirate and free zones must provide the DED with such data and
statistics.
A Director General will be appointed to the DED pursuant to a decree of the Ruler.
The Director General will
manage the DED and its administrative, technical, and financial affairs, and will
represent it before third parties. The Director General may delegate any of his
duties and functions to any person he deems appropriate and may make any
appropriate decision to achieve the objectives of the DED, including:
1. approval of the general
policy of the DED and its affiliated establishments;
2. approval of the
organisational structure of the DED and its affiliated establishments, and submission
of the same to the Chairman of the Executive Council for final approval;
3. approval of the bylaws and
resolutions related to regulation of the administrative, financial, and technical
affairs of the DED and its affiliated establishments;
4. approval, through the
Department of Finance, of the draft annual budget of the DED and its affiliated
establishments, and submission of the same to the Executive Council for final
approval;
5. approval, through the
Department of Finance, of the fees for services provided by the DED and its
affiliated establishments, and submission of the same to the Executive Council
for final approval;
6. supervision of the work of
the executive body of the DED and its affiliated establishments and entities,
and execution of the agreements and memoranda of understanding required in this
regard;
7. supervision of the operational plans set
by executive directors for the establishments affiliated to the DED, and approval
of such plans; and
8. approval of the bylaws and
resolutions regulating the administrative, financial, and technical affairs of
the DED and its affiliated establishments.
The administrative
body of the DED will be comprised of the Director General and a number of
administrative and technical employees to whom the Law No. (27) of 2006
Concerning Management of the Government of Dubai Human Resources.
1. Specialised establishments engaged in
areas related to providing and developing economic services in the Emirate may
be affiliated to the DED. Any such establishment will be established pursuant
to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council upon a proposal by the
Director General.
2. Based on the DED needs and the
work requirements of its affiliated establishments, the DED may propose
redefining the goals and objectives of these establishments, or the dissolution
or merger of such establishments.
3. Establishments affiliated to the DED must
implement the approved plans and policies, and must submit to the Director
General periodic reports on their work, programmes, statistics, and available
information.
1. The DED will have an advisory board
comprised of a chairman, vice chairman, and a number of experienced and specialised
members appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive
Council.
2. The advisory board will provide
its opinion and advice to the DED through:
a.
studying the
comprehensive strategic plans for economic development and the initiatives
which contribute to promoting the economic development of the Emirate; and
b.
studying local
and federal economic and commercial legislation and policies.
The financial
resources of the DED will consist of:
1. the support allocated to the DED in the
general budget of the Emirate;
2. fees and charges for services
provided by the DED to the public;
3. profits of companies
established by the DED or in which it holds shares; and
4. any other resources approved by
the Executive Council.
In regulating its
accounts and records, the DED and its affiliated establishments will follow the
international accounting rules and standards. The financial year of the DED will
commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of each year.
The Chairman of the
Executive Council will issue the regulations and resolutions required for the implementation
of the provisions of this Law.
Effective as of the date
on which this Law is issued, the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young
Business Leaders, the Dubai Export Development Corporation, and the Dubai
Shopping Festival Office will be affiliated to the DED.
1.
This Law supersedes Law No. (1) of 1992 Establishing
the Department of Economic Development and its amendments.
2.
Any provision in any other legislation will be
repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.
This Law will be
published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which
it is published.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Ruler of Dubai
Issued in Dubai on 11 October 2008
Corresponding
to 12 Shawwal 1429 A.H.
©2015 The Supreme
Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort has been
made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation.
However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must
be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict the Arabic text will
prevail.