Law No. (1) of 2022
Establishing the Dubai Chambers[1]
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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,
After perusal of:
Law No. (8) of 1997 Regulating the Dubai
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, its Implementing Bylaw, and their amendments;
Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the
Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;
Law No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the
Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;
Law No. (4) of 2013 Concerning Notaries
Public in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;
Law No. (5) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai
International Financial Centre;
Law No. (20) of 2021 Establishing the
Department of Economy and Tourism in the Emirate of Dubai;
Decree No. (10) of 1994 Concerning the
Fees of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its amendments;
Decree No. (22) of 2009 Concerning
Special Development Zones in the Emirate of Dubai; and
The legislation establishing and
regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,
Do hereby issue this
Law.
This Law will be
cited as “Law No. (1) of 2022 Establishing the Dubai Chambers”.
The following words
and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning
indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
|
UAE: |
The United Arab
Emirates. |
|
Emirate: |
The Emirate of
Dubai. |
|
Ruler: |
His Highness the
Ruler of Dubai. |
|
Government: |
The Government of
Dubai. |
|
Executive Council: |
The Executive
Council of the Emirate of Dubai. |
|
DET: |
The Department of
Economy and Tourism in the Emirate of Dubai. |
|
Dubai Chambers: |
The Dubai Chambers established pursuant to this Law. |
|
Affiliated Chambers: |
The Dubai Chamber
of Commerce, the Dubai International Chamber, and the Dubai Chamber of
Digital Economy, which are governed and whose functions are regulated by this
Law. |
|
Honorary Chairman: |
The honorary
chairman of the Dubai Chambers.
|
|
Board of Directors: |
The board of
directors of the Dubai Chambers. |
|
Director General: |
The director
general of the Dubai Chambers.
|
|
Advisory Boards: |
The boards assisting the Affiliated Chambers in their
duties. |
|
Government Entity: |
Any of the
Government departments; public agencies and corporations; councils;
authorities, including the authorities supervising Special Development Zones
and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre; or other
public entities affiliated to the Government. |
|
Competent Entity: |
A Government department or entity in charge of licensing Economic Activities in the Emirate,
including the authorities supervising Special Development Zones and free
zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre. |
a. Pursuant to this Law, the Dubai Chambers are established as a public-benefit non-profit association. The Dubai Chambers will have legal personality, financial and administrative autonomy, and the legal capacity required to undertake all acts and dispositions that ensure the achievement of their objectives.
b. The name “Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, wherever mentioned in any legislation in force in the Emirate, is hereby replaced by the name “Dubai Chambers”.
c. The Dubai Chambers consist of three (3) Affiliated Chambers that support achieving their objectives, namely:
1. the Dubai Chamber of Commerce;
2. the Dubai International Chamber; and
3. the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
d. The Affiliated Chambers will have full legal capacity to the extent required to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers, and to enable them to undertake legal dispositions and exercise their functions under this Law.
The head office of
the Dubai Chambers will be located in the Emirate. Other branches and offices of the Dubai Chambers may be established within and outside of the Emirate pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
Directors.
The Dubai Chambers
will have the following objectives:
1. to represent, support, and protect the interests of the business community in the Emirate, with a view to achieving sustainable economic development therein;
2. to contribute to supporting the efforts of the Emirate aimed at enhancing its position as a centre of excellence in economy and business at the local, regional, and international levels;
3. to contribute to supporting the Emirate's orientations aimed at opening the economy and introducing new economic instruments through developing new promising sectors and attracting diversified investments in cooperation and partnership with international agencies and organisations, with a view to enhancing the economic environment in the Emirate;
4. to contribute to encouraging national and family companies to become international companies by creating opportunities for the marketing of their products and services at the international level or for entering into international partnerships, and to contribute to exploring new opportunities for these companies in the international markets;
5. to develop, improve, and enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the business environment in the Emirate, and enhance the efficiency and quality of the services provided to the members of the Dubai Chambers, in cooperation and coordination with the DET and the concerned Government Entities;
6. to promote the participation of the private sector in the economic development of the Emirate by supporting economic and other related activities, and to promote social and environmental responsibility amongst the private sector;
7. to contribute to the administrative and technical development of the national leadership cadres in the economic and business sectors by encouraging and supporting the establishment of colleges, institutes, and commercial and technical training centres in coordination with the concerned entities; and
8. to support family and national companies and provide them with guidance to enable them to achieve sustainable development, including by listing them in financial markets.
For the purpose of
achieving their objectives, the Dubai Chambers will have the duties and powers
to:
1. devise the plans, policies, and strategies aimed at promoting the Emirate’s position in the areas of commerce and industry at the regional and international levels; attract investments and encourage companies to base their business in the Emirate; and create a stimulating and attractive business environment, in coordination with the concerned Government Entities;
2. devise the plans, policies, and strategies that contribute to the development of leading, administrative, and technical cadres in the economic fields and business sector and qualifying them to occupy current and future specialised posts; propose the legislation required to implement these plans, policies, and strategies; and submit the relevant recommendations and proposals to the Board of Directors to take the appropriate action in this respect;
3. conclude, in coordination with the concerned government entities in the UAE, agreements and memoranda of understanding with similar federations, chambers, associations, and organisations to strengthen ties of cooperation and trade relations with them;
4. provide the services required by the members of the Dubai Chambers to enable them to conduct their business and activities, and to protect their rights; and solicit their opinions and present the same to the concerned Government Entities in order to resolve any problems, obstacles, challenges, or difficulties they face;
5. issue the permits required for the work teams and business councils formed in the Emirate from amongst companies, business persons, and experts of the same nationality, in preparation for granting them the required licences and legal personality by the concerned Government Entities in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate and the relevant requirements and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors;
6. receive visiting trade delegations and missions, and send trade delegations abroad;
7. organise, hold, co-host, or participate in organising, local and international trade events, exhibitions, conferences, symposia, and seminars, with a view to promoting the economy and commercial establishments of the Emirate;
8. review and analyse the economic conditions and assist decision makers in the Emirate to foresee the future and to develop the means and tools required to develop the economic sector therein; and submit the necessary proposals on updating the legislation in force or proposing new legislation aimed at achieving sustainable economic development, in coordination with the concerned Government Entities;
9. cooperate and coordinate with federal and local government entities, chambers of commerce, federations, and business and trade organisations from all economic sectors, with a view to promoting business activities and exploring ways to develop them and resolve the relevant common commercial, technical, and administrative issues; and exchange experience and consultation with these entities, chambers, federations, and organisations;
10. release and publish magazines, periodic bulletins, and other commercial and specialised publications; and prepare reports and studies in fields that are relevant to the functions of the Dubai Chambers;
11. join the membership of the councils and committees formed by local and federal government entities to consider and regulate all matters related to economic affairs;
12. form specialised committees and work teams to provide support and innovative solutions to companies in the areas of marketing and capacity building;
13. strengthen the economic ties of the Emirate with other countries to attract investments and encourage companies to base their business in the Emirate; and create an environment that encourages and attracts investors and companies in coordination with the concerned Government Entities;
14. conduct the economic studies and research, and prepare the economic reports, intended to assess and enhance the performance of the economic sectors of the Emirate and identify any problems or difficulties they face; and present the outcomes of the same to the DET and to the concerned Government Entities, where required;
15. own, manage, invest, sell, and mortgage movable and immovable property; and conclude all types of contracts and agreements;
16. establish wholly-owned companies or investment projects, or hold shares in existing companies and investment projects, that are related to the achievement of its objectives within or outside of the Emirate;
17. provide advice and consultation to the members of the Dubai Chambers on legal, commercial, economic, or technical matters; provide them with available information; and guide them to follow the procedures and use the means that assist them in protecting their rights and developing their business; and
18. exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers, as assigned to them by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.
An Honorary Chairman will be appointed to
the Dubai Chambers pursuant to a
decree of the Ruler.
a. The Dubai Chambers will have a Board of Directors comprised of a chairman, a vice chairman, the chairmen of the Affiliated Chambers, and a number of other members. The members of the Board of Directors will be appointed pursuant to a decree issued by the Ruler. Membership of the Board of Directors will be for a renewable period of three (3) years.
b. In the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman will act as the chairman, and will exercise all his functions. Where the post of the chairman falls vacant for any reason whatsoever, a new chairman will be appointed pursuant to a decree issued by the Ruler.
c. Where the Board of Directors of the Dubai Chambers is not reconstituted upon the expiry of its tenure, the Board of Directors whose tenure has expired will continue to perform its duties until a new Board of Directors is formed.
The Board of
Directors is the highest authority in charge of overseeing
the affairs of the Dubai Chambers and its executive body, and will undertake
general supervision of the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers
and managing their affairs. For this purpose, the Board of
Directors will have the duties and powers to:
1. approve, and supervise the implementation of, the general policy and the strategic, development, operational, and financial plans of the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers;
2. approve proposals concerning the economic initiatives, programmes, and plans, and the investment projects, that would support and strengthen the economic position of the Emirate and increase employment and investment opportunities therein; and submit the same to the concerned Government Entities to take the appropriate action in respect thereof;
3. approve the annual budget and financial statements of the Dubai Chambers and the corporations and companies they own; and appoint external auditors and review the reports and comments they submit at the end of each financial year;
4. approve the governance system of the Board of Directors and boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers. This system must establish the procedures for holding meetings; the quorum required for meetings and for passing resolutions; the duties of the chairman, vice chairman, and members of the Board of Directors and of the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers; the cases where membership is terminated or forfeited; and other matters regulating the work of the Board of Directors and of the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers;
5. approve the organisational structure of the executive body of the Dubai Chambers;
6. approve the bylaws and resolutions regulating the administrative, financial, technical, contractual, and human resources affairs of the Dubai Chambers;
7. decide on issues of common interest to the Affiliated Chambers and coordinate their general policies;
8. approve the establishment and acquisition of various companies, corporations, and funds that serve the objectives and interests of the Dubai Chambers;
9. approve loan agreements, and accept gifts and donations, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
10. review reports on the work, activities, and achievements of the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers; and review the annual, financial, and performance reports, including those of the companies and corporations owned by them;
11. approve the regulations, rules, and procedures for membership in the Dubai Chambers;
12. form permanent or temporary sub-committees and work teams from amongst members of the Board of Directors or the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers, from amongst the members and employees of the Dubai Chambers, or from amongst experts and specialists. The resolution forming any of these sub-committees or work teams must determine its functions, its terms of reference, and other relevant matters;
13. approve plans for the establishment of international representative offices of the Dubai Chambers outside of the UAE;
14. approve the establishment of specialised chambers or joint chambers with other similar chambers, and approve joining any specialised organisations or federations, subject to obtaining the relevant approvals of the concerned government entities in the UAE; and
15. exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers, as assigned to the Board of Directors by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.
a. The chairman of the Board of Directors will have the duties and powers to:
1. represent the Dubai Chambers before federal and local government entities and other international entities;
2. convene the meetings of the Board of Directors, approve meeting agendas and minutes of meetings, sign the resolutions approved by the Board of Directors, and supervise and follow up their implementation by the executive body of the Dubai Chambers;
3. approve the minutes of meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors, and review the minutes of meetings of the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers to ensure that they do not contradict the resolutions issued by the Board of Directors;
4. coordinate and follow up all issues of common interest of the Affiliated Chambers with the chairmen of their boards of directors;
5. approve the opening of the bank accounts of the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers within and outside of the UAE and manage and close these accounts; appoint the authorised signatories for these accounts and determine their powers in accordance with the financial authority matrix adopted by the Board of Directors; and sign loan agreements and applications for obtaining banking facilities in accordance with the resolutions issued by the Board of Directors in this respect;
6. supervise the preparation of reports and the making of proposals on all the matters and affairs of the Dubai Chambers and on the implemented resolutions; and submit the same to the Board of Directors; and
7. exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers, as assigned to him by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.
b. Except for the powers vested in him under sub-paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this Article, the chairman of the Board of Directors may delegate any of his powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to the vice chairman, to any of the members of the Board of Directors, or to the Director General, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing. `
The Dubai Chamber of
Commerce will, in coordination with the Dubai Chambers and the concerned
Government Entities, have the duties and powers to:
1. represent and support the companies that base their business in the Emirate, protect their interests and rights, participate in the development of their business and the marketing of their products and services within or outside of the Emirate, and act as a liaison between the Government and the companies licensed to operate in the Emirate with the aim of promoting the business environment therein;
2. develop, and supervise the implementation of, plans and programmes to convert local and national companies into international companies; support these companies; and market their products and services regionally and internationally;
3. provide support to medium-sized and small-sized enterprises; and create opportunities for their development, merger, and conversion into large or global enterprises;
4. cooperate and coordinate with the DET and the concerned Government Entities in the Emirate in respect of the applications submitted by commercial the liaison offices and regional and international non-governmental authorities, federations, associations, and organisations specialised in the fields of commerce, economy, and trade for opening branches and offices in the Emirate, in preparation for issuing them with the required permits, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate;
5. compile and manage information and data related to the economic aspects and assessment of the performance of the economic sectors in the Emirate, and present the same to the concerned Government Entities for review and development of the appropriate solutions to promote these sectors and identify the problems and difficulties they face;
6. register, on the membership register maintained by the Dubai Chambers, the natural and legal persons who are licensed to conduct the activities listed in the economic activities classification directory adopted by the DET, and provide them with any certificates or documents that prove their membership in the Dubai Chambers;
7. organise and launch initiatives related to the social responsibility of companies in accordance with the best international standards and practices; and highlight their role in supporting, serving, and developing sustainable societies;
8. consider and resolve any commercial complaints arising between the members of the Dubai Chambers, or between these members and third parties in the Emirate, using the dispute resolution methods available in the Emirate; and submit the relevant development proposals to the concerned Government Entities to take the relevant appropriate action;
9. issue all types of certificates of origin for the goods and products exported or re-exported from the Emirate, in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures adopted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce;
10. propose providing the facilities required for commerce services, including attesting the certificates of origin, contracts, documents, and credit rating certificates issued by other chambers, particularly digital certificates of origin;
11. attest, in accordance with the provisions of the above-mentioned Law No. (4) of 2013, the signatures, stamps, documents, certificates, contracts, and other Instruments related to commercial transactions, as required by the members of the Dubai Chambers for conducting their business;
12. form permanent or temporary work teams from amongst members of the board of directors of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce or other persons. The resolution forming any of these work teams must determine its functions and terms of reference, and other relevant matters; and
13. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to it by the Board of Directors and related to the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers.
The Dubai
International Chamber will, in coordination with the Dubai Chambers and the
concerned Government Entities, have the duties and powers to:
1. devise the plans, policies, and strategies aimed at promoting the Emirate as a centre for international commerce, companies, and investments; and follow up the implementation of these plans, policies, and strategies upon their approval;
2. attract international talent, business persons, companies, investors, and chairmen and directors of global companies; and encourage them to base their business, and invest, in the Emirate and become members of the Dubai Chambers;
3. propose incentive programmes for international investors who join the membership of the Dubai Chambers, ensure that they are granted the appropriate facilities and privileges, and act as a liaison between international businesses and enterprises within and outside of the Emirate;
4. devise an action plan to attract, support, and encourage the economic, industrial, commercial, technical, and logistics initiatives and projects that contribute to the development of the macroeconomics of the Emirate and enhance its economic position at the international level;
5. adopt, and follow up the implementation of, the initiatives related to the global circular economy and sustainable development by supporting and developing recycling industries, carbon trade, renewable energy, and the innovations that improve the environment and protect the Earth;
6. devise incentive programmes and practical solutions that encourage policy makers and global companies to contribute to supporting the economy of the Emirate;
7. conduct studies and research, and prepare reports, on international commerce to assess the commercial strength of the UAE in general and of the Emirate in particular; and identify commercial strengths and global competitors;
8. evaluate the impact of geopolitical and economic instability, currency fluctuations, and the strategic impact of project financing on international trade; and investigate areas that may achieve the highest commercial and economic returns for the Emirate;
9. propose providing the facilities required for international trade services and secure bilateral recognition of these services by international chambers, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;
10. propose developing the legislation related to global investments, taxation, and private sector labour force with a view to supporting the economy of the Emirate; and present the same to the Board of Directors to issue the relevant directives as it deems appropriate; and
11. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to it by Board of Directors and required for the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers.
The Dubai Chamber of
Digital Economy will, in coordination with the Dubai Chambers and concerned
Government Entities, have the duties and powers to:
1. devise the plans, policies, and strategies aimed at promoting the Emirate as a centre for global digital economy; attract global investments in the digital commerce and industry sectors; and follow up the implementation of these plans, policies, and strategies upon approval;
2. devise, and supervise the implementation of, the plans required for supporting and promoting the accelerated use of digital technologies in economic and social activities; creating digital development opportunities; bridging the digital gap with the economies of developed countries; and adopting modern technologies in a smart manner;
3. devise, and supervise the implementation of, the plans required for incubating technology companies and skilled professionals for the purpose of building a new generation of digital talent who are able to meet the challenges raised by digitisation and future technologies in the Emirate;
4. attract global business persons, companies, and talent specialised in advanced technology; provide them with the facilities and incentives that encourage them to work in the Emirate; and build a global and local specialised network with entrepreneurs, technology companies, and specialised investment funds;
5. encourage investment in advanced technology companies around the world and own shares in these companies;
6. conduct the studies and research, and prepare the reports, intended to assess and develop the performance of digital sectors and digital economy in the Emirate; identify any problems or difficulties they face; and present the outcomes of the same to the concerned Government Entities where required;
7. promote partnerships with global associations in order to establish digital development strategies in the Emirate in line with the principles of future digital globalisation; and seek to provide and transfer these strategies to less developed regions around the world;
8. devise the plans, policies, and strategies required to formulate a comprehensive approach for the Dubai Chambers, with a view to using these plans, policies, and strategies to develop the digital economy, entrepreneurship, data, commerce, competition, taxation, intellectual property, and other fields and industries;
9. devise the plans and conduct the studies aimed at promoting the adoption and use of the digital assets based on Blockchain technology through education and by working with digital policy makers around the world to develop an environment that promotes innovation and investment in digital assets and technologies;
10. accelerate the pace, and exert every effort, to create the best digital infrastructure in the Emirate; and develop the leading, administrative, and technical cadres, in the field of digital economy, who are able to use information and communication technology and deal with the internet-related issues that impact the digital economy sector locally and globally, in coordination and cooperation with specialised colleges, institutes, and training centres within and outside of the UAE;
11. support the digital transformation at the national companies in the Emirate; provide market data extraction and analysis services to all sectors; provide digital consultancy support to the members of the Dubai Chambers; and provide them with vocational training and professional, legal, and digital consultancies;
12. contribute to raising awareness on network and data security;
13. increase the digital competitiveness of the national companies, and supervise the digital transformation plans of these companies;
14. launch projects, hold conferences, and conduct studies related to the digital economy; and
15. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to it by the Board of Directors and related to the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers.
a. Each Affiliated Chamber will have an independent board of directors comprised of a chairman, a vice chairman, and a number of experienced, competent, and specialised members appointed pursuant to a decree issued by the Ruler. Membership in the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chamber will be for a renewable period of three (3) years.
b. Where the board of directors of any of the Affiliated Chambers is not reconstituted or replaced by a new board of directors upon the expiry of its tenure, the board of directors whose tenure has expired will continue to perform its functions until a new board of directors is formed.
c. The boards of directors of Affiliated Chambers will report to the Board of Directors, and the relevant regulations approved by the Board of Directors will apply to the governance of these boards.
d. The boards of directors of Affiliated Chambers will supervise the performance of the functions of the Affiliated Chambers under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. In particular, these boards of directors will have the duties and powers to:
1. approve the general policy, plans, strategies, and financial appropriations of the Affiliated Chambers; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for final approval;
2. supervise the implementation of the approved general policy, and the strategic, development, and operational plans, of the Affiliated Chambers in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof;
3. approve the projects, programmes, and initiatives of the Affiliated Chambers;
4. propose the economic initiatives, programmes, and plans, and the investment projects, that would support and strengthen the economic position of the Emirate and increase employment and investment opportunities therein; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval, in preparation for submission to the concerned Government Entities to make the relevant appropriate decisions;
5. discuss, and provide opinion on, the topics and matters referred to the Dubai Chambers by the concerned Government Entities in relation to the policies and legislation governing various economic affairs;
6. consider the proposals of the business community and the recommendations of the Advisory Boards on the economic issues related to their activities and business, and to the challenges they face; and submit these proposals and recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval in preparation for submission to the concerned Government Entities to make the relevant appropriate decisions; and
7. exercise any other duties or powers assigned to them by the Board of Directors and related to the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers and to enabling the Affiliated Chambers to exercise their functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.
a. An Advisory Board will be formed in each Affiliated Chamber to assist with the duties of its board of directors. The Advisory Board will be comprised of a chairman and a number of members who are experienced, knowledgeable, and specialised in conducting business. A resolution of the Board of Directors will determine the duties, functions, and terms of reference of these Advisory Boards, and the procedures for holding their meetings.
b. The Advisory Boards will submit their proposals and recommendations to the respective boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers, and these boards of directors will consider the same and make the relevant appropriate decisions in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
c. An Advisory Board will:
1. provide support to the board of directors of the Affiliated Chamber it assists, by launching initiatives and providing consultancy concerning the work plans and projects of the Dubai Chambers and the Affiliated Chamber;
2. transfer the knowledge and skills of its members to enable the Affiliated Chamber to benefit from the information, experience, and data of other chambers and global markets in overcoming the challenges and difficulties facing the economy of the Emirate and the conduct of business therein;
3. submit proposals on the projects and initiatives launched by the Affiliated Chamber; and propose legislation and legislative amendments that would boost the economy, investments, and local added value of the Emirate and develop its economic instruments;
4. contribute to opening communication channels between the Dubai Chambers and the Affiliated Chamber on the one hand; and investors, companies, and corporations from around the world on the other hand; and
5. perform any other advisory duties that are assigned to it by the Board of Directors or the Affiliated Chamber board of directors, and are related to the achievement of the objectives of the Dubai Chambers.
a. A Person licensed by the DET to conduct any of the commercial, industrial, agricultural, vocational, or service activities listed in the economic activities classification directory adopted by the DET must join the membership of the Dubai Chambers.
b. Membership in the Dubai Chambers will be governed by the relevant regulations, rules, and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
c. The Dubai Chambers may maintain a register for honorary membership by the major global companies conducting their business within or outside of the Emirate.
d. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Article, the owners of microenterprises and small-sized enterprises, or practitioners of manual professions and handicrafts, as specified in agreement with the DET, will be exempt from mandatory membership in the Dubai Chambers and will have the option to become members if they so wish.
e. An economic, commercial, or industrial establishment licensed to operate within a Special Development Zone or free zone, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, may join the membership of the Dubai Chambers after obtaining the approval of the authority supervising that zone.
f. Where a member in the Dubai Chambers conducts its activities in one or more branches within the Emirate in addition to its head office, this member must register each of the branches with the Dubai Chambers; and each of these branches must join the membership of the Dubai Chambers.
g. Membership in the Dubai Chambers is mandatory for any affiliated company licensed under a name that differs from the name of the parent company as it appears on its licence. The trade name of this company on its licence must be followed by the term “Affiliated Company”. All affiliates of the affiliated company must also join the membership of the Dubai Chambers.
a. The Director General or his authorised representative may suspend the membership of any member in the Dubai Chambers and deny him access to their services in any of the following cases:
1. failure to renew the membership and pay the annual fee within three (3) months from its due date while continuing to conduct the Activity, without a reason acceptable to the Dubai Chambers;
2. failure to cooperate in resolving any commercial complaints filed against the member with the Dubai Chambers, when so requested; or
3. submitting to the Dubai Chambers any documents containing false information or withholding important documents from the Dubai Chambers.
b. The Dubai Chambers must, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, inform any suspended member in writing of their decision to suspend his membership and deny him access to their services.
c. A member whose membership in the Dubai Chambers is suspended, and who is denied access to their services, may submit to the Dubai Chambers a written grievance against the suspension or denial of services decision. The grievance will be determined in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Board of Directors in this respect.
a. The membership of a member in the Dubai Chambers will be terminated in any of the following cases:
1. bankruptcy of the member;
2. cancellation of the licence of the member by the Competent Entity;
3. existence of proof that the member has presented forged documents to the Dubai Chambers to avail of their services;
4. failure to renew the membership and pay the annual fee within three (3) years from its due date while continuing to conduct the Activity, without a valid reason acceptable to the Dubai Chambers;
5. where the member is a sole proprietorship, death of the owner of the proprietorship, unless the heirs of the owner decide to continue its business;
6. where the member is a company, dissolution and liquidation of the company; or
7. falsification of the certificates or documents issued by the Dubai Chambers, or using the same fraudulently or in contrary to their original purpose.
b. A member whose membership in the Dubai Chambers is terminated may, in accordance with the relevant provisions and rules prescribed by the Board of Directors, be re-registered where the grounds for membership termination cease to exist.
a. The Board of Directors will approve the fees and charges for the services provided by the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers, except for the fees for membership in the Dubai Chambers and for issuing the certificates of origin, which will be approved pursuant to a resolution issued by the Chairman of the Executive Council in this respect. The Dubai Chambers will collect these fees and service charges by itself or through any entities it authorises to do so, in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors in this respect.
b. The fees and service charges will be immediately payable. The Dubai Chambers may exempt any of its members from the membership renewal fees, or any part thereof, subject to the conditions prescribed in the relevant resolution of the Board of Directors.
a. The executive body of the Dubai Chambers will be comprised of the Director General, a deputy director general, and a number of administrative, finance, and technical employees.
b. The Director General and deputy director general will be appointed pursuant to a resolution issued by the Board of Directors.
c. The Director General will be directly responsible to the Board of Directors and the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers for supervising the management of the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers; and for exercising the duties and powers assigned to him pursuant to this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, other legislation in force in the Emirate, and the resolutions, bylaws, and regulations adopted by the Dubai Chambers, as well as any other duties and powers assigned or delegated to him by the Board of Directors or the boards of directors of the Affiliated Chambers.
d. The executive body of the Dubai Chambers will be responsible for performing their operational work, and for providing administrative, technical, and financial support to the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers.
e. The provisions of the human resources regulations, bylaws, policies, and manuals adopted by the Board of Directors will apply to the employees of the executive body of the Dubai Chambers.
The financial
resources of the Dubai Chambers will consist of:
1. the fees for membership in the Dubai Chambers and for issuing certificates of origin, and any other fees and charges collected by the Dubai Chambers in return for the services they provide;
2. the return on investments of the Dubai Chambers property;
3. the fees and service charges collected by the corporations and companies owned by the Dubai Chambers;
4. the grants, gifts, donations, bequests, and endowments approved by the Board of Directors; and
5. any other resources approved by the Board of Directors.
a. The Dubai Chambers, the Affiliated Chambers, and the corporations and companies owned by the Dubai Chambers will have a consolidated annual budget reflecting the actual financial position of each entity.
b. In managing its accounts and records, the Dubai Chambers will apply the rules and principles of international accounting approved by the Board of Directors in this respect.
c. The financial year of the Dubai Chambers will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of each year, except that the first financial year will commence on the date on which this Law comes into force and will end on 31 December of the following year.
a. The Dubai Chambers will manage and use its funds and expenditures in a manner that ensures the achievement of its objectives and the performance of its functions and those of the Affiliated Chambers. The funds and expenditures must be legal, specified, and payable; and the relevant financial appropriations must be allocated in their respective annual budgets.
b. The financial and accounting resolutions and bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors will apply to the management of the funds and accounting systems of the Dubai Chambers; to the collection of their revenues and receivables; to the methods of maintaining, spending, or disposing of their funds; and to the rules for investing these funds and regulating the internal audit of the same. Where this Law or the bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors are silent, the internationally recognised public sector accounting rules and standards will apply.
c. The funds of the Dubai Chambers will be deemed public funds. No entity may recover any debt from, or enforce any obligation against, the Dubai Chambers by way of taking possession, seizure, sale by public auction, or acquisition by any other legal process, of the property owned by the Dubai Chambers, whether or not a definitive court judgement in respect of such debt or obligation has been rendered.
a. At the beginning of each financial year, the Board of Directors will appoint an external auditor licensed to operate in the Emirate and determine his annual remuneration.
b. For each financial year, the external auditor will audit the accounts of the Dubai Chambers and the companies and corporations owned by them. For this purpose, he may access all their records, books, and documents; and may request any data he deems necessary for the performance of his duties. The external auditor may also verify the assets and liabilities of the Dubai Chambers, and the companies and corporations owned by them, and submit his final report to the Board of Directors.
For the purposes of
enabling the Dubai Chambers to achieve their objectives and exercise their
functions under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other
legislation in force in the Emirate, all Government Entities must fully
cooperate with the Dubai Chambers and Affiliated Chambers; and provide them with the data, information, documents, and
statistics they request and deem necessary to assist them in achieving
sustainable economic development in the Emirate.
a. As of the date on which this Law comes into force, the following will be transferred to the Dubai Chambers:
1. the ownership of the real property, movables, assets, devices, equipment, and other property of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
2. the employees of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These employees will retain their existing rights; and
3. the financial appropriations allocated to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its approved annual budget.
b. All rights and obligations of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry are hereby transferred to the Dubai Chambers.
a. The above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 1997 and its amendments are hereby repealed. Any provision in any other legislation will also be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.
b. The fees of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry approved under the above-mentioned Decree No. (10) of 1994 and the resolutions issued in pursuance thereof will continue to apply until the new schedule of fees and charges of the Dubai Chambers is approved by the Chairman of the Executive Council or the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of Article (19) of this Law.
c. The bylaws, resolutions, and instructions issued in implementation of the above-mentioned Law No. (8) of 1997 will continue in force, to the extent that they do not contradict this Law, until new superseding bylaws, resolutions, and instructions are issued.
With the exception
of the resolutions which the Chairman of the Executive Council is exclusively
authorised to issue under this Law, the Board of Directors will issue the
resolutions required for implementing 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 3 January 2022
Corresponding
to 30 Jumada al-Ula 1443 A.H.
©2022 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.