Ministries to be given more power and fiscal flexibility, says Sheikh Mohammed
- 14 Jan 2022
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has said on Friday that the federal ministries will soon be given greater powers and more financial flexibility based on the “Principles of the 50.”
Sheikh Mohammed made these remarks while chairing the first Cabinet meeting in 2022 at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The cabinet meeting was attended by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Sheikh Mohammed said: "Today I chaired the first cabinet meeting in the new year and the "New 50." A good start on a blessed Friday Our first decision is to fully apply the new approach for the federal government work during the coming phase to achieve more effective transformational projects and enhance our economy."
Sheikh Mohammed added: "The new government approach will start shortly with several changes, including granting ministries greater powers and more financial flexibility based on the "Principles of the 50" and national priorities approved by Sheikh Khalifa, for the Next 50 years."
Sheikh Mohammed also added: "We approved during the cabinet meeting the UAE Sports Law to regulate the sector including sports councils, federations, Olympic committees, among others, aiming to enhance the UAE's presence in all sports events at the regional and global levels."
Sheikh Mohammed said: "We also approved the executive regulations of the labour relations law to ensure rights protection, raise efficiency of the workforce and organise new forms of work which includes part-time work, temporary work, flexible work, and golden visa holders. The UAE new laws offer 12 types of working permits, aiming at strengthening the business environment."
Sheikh Mohammed added: "On Friday’s cabinet meeting, we approved the executive regulations of the protection of industrial property rights law to ensure accelerating patenting and preserving rights... The diversity of our economy requires a flexible and comprehensive legislative infrastructure. We are ready for the changes of the coming economic phase."
Sheikh Mohammed said: "During the cabinet meeting, we approved digital procurement policy for the federal government, a new committee for the smart learning in our schools, 13 agreements to encourage investment and avoid Double Taxation, and agreed on the UAE joining the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, under the UN Climate Change Agreement."
Sheikh Mohammed concluded: "Our start is promising We have great confidence that 2022 will be a year of success, prosperity and achievements."
During the meeting, the cabinet approved the executive regulations of the Federal Decree Law on Regulation of Labour Relations, which comprise detailed rules, provisions and procedures aimed at facilitating the implementation of the law. This will enhance the sustainability of the labour market nationwide, as well as ensure protection of workers' rights.
The executive regulations define the legal framework to ensure efficiency in the labour market and attract and retain the best talent and skills. The law also supports the efforts seeking to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati talents in the labour market.
The executive regulations create an advanced mechanism that will ultimately enhance ease-of-doing business, competitiveness and productivity of the labour market. The executive regulations set the procedures that guarantee workers and employees welfare and wellbeing, and ensure a safe and healthy business environment.
The cabinet also approved the executive regulations of the Federal Law regarding the regulation and protection of industrial property rights, which is dedicated to patents, industrial designs, integrated circuits, undisclosed information, and utility certificates.
The executive regulations provide a comprehensive mechanism to implement the articles of the law including applications and details surrounding eligibility for patents and utility certificates and the conditions for granting the patent, as well as compulsory licenses, the multiplicity of compulsory licenses, and the exception to the conditions of compulsory licencing.
The cabinet also approved an optional national regulation for "Green Building" in terms of sustainability and rationalisation of energy and water use.
The national regulation provides unified procedures and practices that ensure highest standards of sustainability, including reducing the carbon footprint of construction and encouraging waste recycling at construction sites.
The cabinet decided that the application of the regulation will be optional for a period of two years for both federal and local entities. The cabinet will then review the results before the mandatory application.
Sports Law
The cabinet approved the Sports Law in the United Arab Emirates, which regulates the sports sector and organises the relationship between the General Authority for Sports, clubs, associations, committees, federations and sports authorities in the country. The law aims to encourage community members to follow a sports lifestyle, and support sports talents to enhance the UAE's presence in all sports events at the regional and global levels.
The policy defines the guidelines and criteria based on the best international practices that are designed to improve cost effectiveness and maximise efficiencies. The policy supports digital transformation of procurement across the federal entities, aligned with the UAE’s vision and provide a fair and transparent process that contribute to the overall economic development.
The cabinet approved the new structure of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT), headed by Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice.
The cabinet also approved the decision of restructuring the Higher Committee to oversee the "Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme", for 3 years.
Headed by Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, the committee includes in its membership Jameela Bint Salem Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education, Chairperson of the Board of Emirates Schools Establishment and a number of officials.
The cabinet approved as well, a decision to establish the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation. The office will be concerned with the implementation of the decree of federal law on the Commodities Subject to Non-Proliferation in line with the requirements of international resolutions issued by the United Nations.
In addition, the cabinet approved a decision to link the federal customs systems of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security with all local customs through one unified platform to ensure integration between the concerned authorities and include requirements and security information needed.
The cabinet approved a number of agreements with various countries around the world, on Avoidance of Double Taxation, and protecting and encouraging investments.
Also, the cabinet approved the agreement of the system that connects all payment systems in the GCC countries and agreed on the UAE joining the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
WAM
