The Ministry of Finance (MoF), disclosed on Thursday that more than 1,500 federal government services fees will either be curtailed or cancelled. This latest action follows the decision of the Cabinet circulated on lessening and cancelling of fees for the services of some federal organizations, which took effect on July 1, 2019.
Certain fees have been lessened by up to 50% to boost the appeal of the national economy, and diminish the cost of doing business and strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE. According to the decision, the changes would be applicable to over 1,500 federal services for three main federal ministries – Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Especially, 1,200 fees were lessened or cancelled at the Ministry of Interior, 80 at the Ministry of Economy, and 200 at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The ruling ensue a study of service fees in the UAE in comparison with those in neighboring nations. The study also pinpointed the needed measures in line with the government’s goal to bolster the economy and increase the competitiveness of the UAE.
Commenting on the declaration, Younis Haji Al Khoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that during the preparation of the Federal Fee Review Project, the Ministry of Finance made sure that a standard study of fees was carried out and compared with international best practice. It then assessed the findings of this study to make suggestions to start a well-conceived drive that supports the gradual change of the existing government revenue system depending on services charged into a tax-based system.
