11 Apr
UAE anti-money laundering: Registration for non-financial entities, individuals extended until April 30
Decision due to the large numbers of companies in the sector seeking to register in the last days of the previous deadline
The UAE Ministry of Economy announced the extension of the deadline granted to companies in the “specific non-financial business and professions” sector to register in government regulations approved for countering money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism until the end of April.
The decision is due to the large numbers of companies in the sector seeking to register in the last days of the previous deadline, which expired on March 31, taking into account the conditions of companies and the business sector in general during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ministry explained that the targeted companies, which include brokers and real estate agents, auditors, dealers of precious metals and gemstones, and corporate service providers, are required to undergo registration, which is mandatory and for free, before the end of the new deadline, in the goAML system and the automatic reporting system for sanctions lists and take the necessary measures to achieve complinace with the requirements of Federal Law No.20 of 2018.
It called on the concerned companies to take advantage of the new period for registration to avoid the penalties and fines stipulated in the law, which will be applied from May 1. Fines start from Dh50,000 to reach Dh5 million, while the penalties for companies that fail to register include the suspension of their licences or their closure.
Abdullah Sultan Al Fan Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-secretary for the supervision and follow-up sector at the Ministry of Economy, said: “Due to the increased level of response in the business sector and non-financial professions identified for mandatory registration, the Ministry of Economy decided, in coordination with its partners from the relevant government agencies, to extend the grace period granted to the target companies and give them more time until the end of the current month to complete the registration process and begin taking the necessary legal measures to comply with the requirements of the law and its implementing regulations.”
“The goal is not to impose violations, but to ensure compliance, and the decision comes with the aim of taking into account the conditions that various companies and business sectors are going through as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions on a global scale, stressing that the Ministry of Economy is keen to build a solid and positive relationship with the private sector based on the principle of partnership.”
Al Shamsi emphasised that the designated non-financial business and professions sector is a major partner in the UAE’s efforts to combat money laundering and has a pivotal role in supporting government efforts to build a safe and stable economic environment away from money laundering and terrorist financing crimes.
He pointed out that many of the companies concerned in the sector in its four categories showed a high level of awareness and commitment and registered, but there is still a percentage of companies that have not registered in the two systems. Extending the grace period to gives an additional opportunity to these companies to rush to register, avoid violations and protect their business and investments from money laundering risks by complying with government control requirements.
Safia Al Safi, director of the Anti-Money Laundering Department at the Ministry of Economy, said that extending the grace period without applying any violations before April 30 allows companies fulfill their obligations and initiate registration. The Ministry of Economy received more than 6,000 calls and enquiries during March.
Source:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/banking-finance/uae-anti-money-laundering-registration-for-non-financial-entities-individuals-extended-until-april-30
04 Apr
Dubai Economy and Amazon join hands to support start-ups in digital economy
Amazon will curate a dedicated storefront on Amazon.ae to showcase products available from DED Trader license holders
The Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector in Dubai Economy and Amazon have launched a new programme to support DED Trader license holders by providing interactive e-Learning content to help them thrive in the digital economy.
The new programme is part of the cooperation between Dubai Economy and Amazon to support DED Trader license holders interested in making their products available to more customers and growing their businesses online. The programme will offer access to the Amazon Seller University, which provides a series of training videos and resources that will help participant’s master key tools and applications to build their brand and expand their businesses to reach millions of customers.
“Dubai Economy strives to deliver solutions that contribute to enhance the ease of doing business in Dubai and expanding growth, in addition to maintaining a sustainable economy that reflects the emirate’s position as a global economic destination,” said Omar Al Mehairi, director of Development and Follow-up Division in BRL sector.
“The continuous partnerships between the governmental and private sector will raise the level of efficiency and provide a seamless service environment for the business community as per highest international standards. Dubai Economy aims to accelerate the implementation and growth of e-commerce initiatives and promote innovation and technology integration within the local business community,” added Al Mehairi.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, VP of Amazon Middle East and North Africa (Mena), said: “At Amazon, supporting SMEs is a fundamental part of our work and an extension of our customer-centric culture. Third-party sellers, most of which are SMEs, account for more than half of everything sold across Amazon stores globally. We have faith in the potential and capabilities of start-ups in Dubai, and through such collaborations, we aspire to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey with all the tools and retail expertise we have to offer.”
Amazon will curate a dedicated storefront on Amazon.ae to showcase products available from DED Trader license holders. Once the businesses are registered to sell on Amazon.ae, they will have the opportunity to access Amazon Account Managers who will work closely with them to offer strategic advice and insights to help them sustain and grow their business.
The Account Managers will also support the start-ups with advice on operational aspects such as listing creations and how to gain visibility on their products. They will offer advice on key areas such as fulfilment and inventory, merchandising and advertising, and ensure start-ups are up to date on the latest programmes that will help fast-track their growth on Amazon.ae.
Amazon.ae has progressively launched tools to help local businesses, including the Amazon Seller Mobile App, which allows selling partners to conduct business with more speed, ease, and flexibility.
DED Trader is issued by Dubai Economy to license freelancers in their place of residence in Dubai as well as business activities that operate online or on social networking sites. DED Trader, which is issued electronically through invest.dubai.ae, aims to guide traders towards the right path to start and enter the business world.
Source:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/local/dubai-economy-and-amazon-join-hands-to-support-start-ups-in-digital-economy
11 Mar
UAE businesses that must register in anti-money laundering systems
The Ministry of Economy (MoE) has listed the businesses that need to register in the anti-money laundering systems before March 31.
These include real estate agents, gold dealers, auditors, and service providers for companies.
Referred to as designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), they have been asked to register in the Financial Intelligence Unit (goAML) and the Committee for Commodities Subject to Import and Export Control system (Automatic Reporting System for Sanctions Lists).
Such businesses were given an extended grace period till March 31 to register, in order to avoid penalties, which include licence cancellation and closure.
It is among the several measures adopted by the government to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism in the UAE.
The MoE also underlined the importance of adopting measures to counter money laundering. Failure to do so result in fines ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh1 million – which can be doubled to as much as Dh5 million.
Full list
The ministry explained that a wide range of non-financial business and activities are “most exposed to money laundering risks”. These have been divided into four main categories.
>> Brokers and real estate agents: When entering into operations in the interest of their clients for purchase and sale of real estate.
>> Dealers of precious metals and gemstones: When they perform any single-cash transaction or several seemingly related transactions with a value of Dh55,000 or more.
>> Independent auditors and accountants: When they prepare, conduct or implement financial operations for the benefit of their clients, related to the following activities:
– Buying and selling real estate.
– Managing money that the client owns.
– Managing financial, savings or stock accounts.
– Contributing to establishing, operating or managing companies.
– Establishing, operating or managing companies, or legal arrangements.
– Buying and selling commercial entities.
>> Corporate service providers and trust funds: When they undertake or execute an operation for the benefit of their clients or on their behalf in relation to the following activities:
– Work as an agent in establishing companies.
– Working or preparing someone else to work as a director or company secretary, or as a partner in the company.
– Providing a registered office, business address, place of residence, address for correspondence, administrative address of a legal person, or legal arrangement.
– Act as trustee for a direct trust fund or to perform a similar function for another form of legal arrangement.
– Working or preparing another person to act as a shareholder for another person.
Source:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/local/uae-businesses-that-must-register-in-anti-money-laundering-systems
10 Mar
Covid: Freeze on Dubai Govt fees extended till 2023
Government fees will not be hiked, nor will new fees be introduced.
A freeze on government service fees in place in Dubai has been extended till 2023. Apart from the extension of the freeze, no new fees will be imposed, except when introducing “new vital services”.
The three-year freeze announced in March 2018 will continue to be in place. The decision will help ensure economic and social stability as the world reels under the impact of Covid-19.
The move is in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, issued the decision on Tuesday to strengthen the Emirate’s competitiveness, attract entrepreneurs and investors, and keep pace with market trends.
The Crown Prince said the move helps raise the resilience of Dubai’s businesses and eases any financial challenges they may have due to the prevailing situation.
The decision also demonstrates Dubai government’s flexibility and agility in dealing with a “shifting global socio-economic landscape”.
The move complements the five economic stimulus packages launched by the Dubai Government since March 2020 with the aim of helping businesses tide over the repercussions of the pandemic.
The wide-ranging support measures worth Dh7.1 billion ensured that the short-term impact of Covid-19 did not translate into long-term economic challenges.
Source:https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/covid-freeze-on-dubai-govt-fees-extended-till-2023
