Our Correspondent
According to a new order issued by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the freeze on Dubai government fees has been extended until early 2023. The freeze was first announced by Sheikh Hamdan in March 2018.
He said the move will help Dubai’s businesses and ease financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apart from the extension of the freeze, no new fees will be imposed, except in the case of the introduction of “new vital services”, a statement said. “The move aims to further boost social stability, economic competitiveness and the confidence of businesses, entrepreneurs and investors in the emirate.” It is also meant to support the emirate’s ability to “adapt to changing market realities, accelerate the pace of recovery and boost sustainable development”.
Dubai has announced several measures to support the economy during the pandemic. It has launched five economic stimulus packages since March 2020 worth AED 7.1bn, including a AED 315 million package announced by the Crown Prince in January.
The initiatives in the latest package extend to commercial establishments, hotels and the entertainment sector. In the events sector, the exemption from the fees charged for postponement and cancellation of recreational and sports activities, including conferences and exhibitions, has been extended.
The package also extends the freeze on fees charged for ticket sales, issuing permits and other government fees imposed on entertainment and business events.
School fees frozen
Several Dubai schools have also extended a freeze on fees for the 2021-22 academic year.
This comes close on the heels of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirming that schools in the capital will not be allowed to increase fees for the 2021-22 academic year.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) of Dubai affirmed that school fee increases are based on the Education Cost Index (ECI), which is likely to be announced soon for this year.
KHDA’s exceptional fee system does allow private schools to apply for fee increases if their financial status puts them at risk of having to close down.
