H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has issued Resolution No. 04 of 2020 regarding exemption from local licensing fees and taxes for the current year, due to the current conditions and preventive measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus, COVID-19 , which led to the suspension of some commercial activities.

According to the Resolution's first article, "Some activities shall be exempted for a year, starting from 1st January to 31st December 2020, from licensing fees, such as professions in the popular market, Friday market, meat and poultry stores, tailors, cinemas, gaming centres and stores located in Shopping malls, hotels, fitness centres, health clubs, wedding halls, and men's and women's salons, while the second article stipulated that resorts, hotels, and hotel apartments shall be exempted from the prescribed local tax. His Highness directed all concerned departments to work on implementing the decision immediately."

In the same context, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, has issued Emiri Decree No. 02 for 2020 on an economic incentive package to support businesses and individuals. The decree stipulates a discount of 50 percent on fees related to new business licences and commercial, industrial and professional licence renewals at the Department of Economic Development, as well as the cancellation of fines for expired licences of commercial, industrial and professional companies and economic establishments in the emirate, and a 50 percent fee reduction on fees on activities related to the Umm Al Qaiwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Resolution No. 03 for 2020, which exempts companies that halted their services due to the Coronavirus crisis from fees and fines will continue to be in force. Emiri Decree No. 02 for 2020 stipulates that the Department of Economic Development in Umm Al Qaiwain will monitor the economic situation in the coming period, and will present its recommendations about the incentives, to be submitted to the Executive Council that will take the necessary action and implement appropriate incentives. The decree will be in force from the first of May until further notice.

WAM