Abu Dhabi is lowering the cost of doing business as part of economic diversification efforts. Antonie Robertson/The National
Abu Dhabi is lowering the cost of doing business as part of economic diversification efforts. Antonie Robertson/The National
Abu Dhabi is lowering the cost of doing business as part of economic diversification efforts. Antonie Robertson/The National
Abu Dhabi is lowering the cost of doing business as part of economic diversification efforts. Antonie Robertson/The National

Abu Dhabi to slash fees for new economic licences starting December 1


Deena Kamel
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Abu Dhabi will exempt all businesses issued new economic licences by the emirate from local fees for two years as it boosts its competitiveness and looks to attract investors.

The resolutions will come into force starting December 1, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council also approved a decision to cancel 75 municipality services fees and reduce the cost of 23 municipality fees by 10 to 50 per cent, according to a tweet by Abu Dhabi's Office of Government Communication.

"These decisions come with the aim of bolstering the competitiveness of the business environment and improving it in a way that attracts companies and institutions and developing the partnership with the private sector," it said.

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Read more:

Why Sheikh Mohammed's new economic plans are a game changer for Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince reveals Tomorrow 2021 plan for Abu Dhabi's economy including Dh20bn for spending next year

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The decision comes as part of a series of reforms under the "Ghadan 21" or Tomorrow 2021, a three-year Dh50 billion programme aimed at stimulating investment, creating jobs and boosting economic growth.

The UAE announced a series of new policies this year aimed at reforming the economy and reducing reliance on oil revenues. These include changes to the country’s sponsorship system and new regulations that permit companies to operate without a physical office.  The Tomorrow 2021 plan has 50 initiatives to stimulate investment and job creation. It aims to slash red tape for businesses and boost investor confidence in the emirate’s economy.

The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for the UAE's economic growth this year and next on expectations that oil production and government spending will increase.

The Gulf nation's economy is projected to expand 2.9 per cent this year and 3.7 per cent in 2019, the IMF said in October.

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Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

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