Saturday 14 , December 2019

The Executive Council of Ras Al Khaimah conducted a regular meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the Executive Council. His Highness approved the minutes of the meeting at the beginning of the session and reviewed topics on the agenda related to government relations, services development, strengthening the legislative system, development projects plans and promoting environmental sustainability. The Council listened to the presentation delivered by the Federal Demographics Council on the demographics in the Emirate, its challenges and prospects of the demographic equation. The Council commended the efforts, strategies and initiatives adopted by the Government to achieve the desired population balance in light of the systematic prospects for the future in a way that would strengthen national foundations. His Highness Chairman of the Council praised the wise leadership's interest in managing and supporting the demographics file. H.H. stressed on the importance of the government role in promoting the knowledge economy and achieving optimal use of skilled labor. This is done to achieve economic growth taking into account the demographic dimension and demographic analysis in to provide decent living and family stability for future generations. This will finally contribute to boosting the population growth rate. The Council reviewed the report submitted by the Economic Committee, where they accepted the final draft of the regulation of events and contribution to the development of tourism in the city. This is achieved through the development and documentation of the regulatory framework, operational guidelines and the maintenance of an integrated system for granting permits to establish events. The Council also approved the decision to regulate the joint economic licenses between the Department of Economic Development and the RAK Economic Zones Authority. This is done in order to allow the licensed economic establishments in either sides to obtain a license to conduct their economic activity from their premises within the limits of each other through regulatory arrangements and in accordance with the official regulations. The Council approved the formation of a sub-committee to emerge from the Economic Committee under the title of “Committee for the Distribution of Economic Activities,” represented by the Department of Economic Development, the Municipality Department and the Environment Protection Authority to prepare an integrated study on the rules and mechanisms of the distribution of economic activities to all regions of the Emirate. The Council also approved the formation of a sub-committee under the Economic Commission, to prepare a legislative proposal to regulate the activity of water bicycles and determine the appropriate places in different regions. This will contribute to the promotion of tourism aspects and to achieve the optimal use to achieve the desired objectives. In the context of completing the enhancement of the digital transformation process in the Government, the Council was briefed on the report submitted by the Smart and Electronic Transformation Committee. The brief was done in regards to the smart services and digital infrastructure with the TRA, the application of digital identity, digital signature in government transactions and the progress of the electronic inter-enterprise projects. The Council stressed the need to accelerate the efforts of digital transformation to strengthen government services and keep pace with the data of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to launch government action to global levels. In the context of strengthening and modernizing the legislative system, the Council approved the draft law of practicing the engineering consultancy profession. This helps in regulating the classification of engineering consultancy offices, the conditions of practicing the activity, the mechanism of licensing and registration, the regulations and ethics of work, the schedule of fees, fines and other related matters to achieve the effective contribution to the real estate sector and enhance its future growth prospects. The Council also approved a draft law on hygiene to regulate all practices and behaviors associated with hygiene, sanitation, cosmetic agriculture and infrastructure facilities. The Council reviewed the reports submitted by the Municipality and Public Services Departments on the projects of services and utilities implemented during 2019. They directed to effectively and efficiently finish the remaining tasks according to the specified timetables. This is done in aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Emirate and improve the quality of life and contribute to the achievement of development vision The Council discussed the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy in the Emirate and stressed in the importance of performing studies to gather the opinions of Large Engineering Consultancy Offices, taking into account the economic and investment feasibility when designing new real estate projects in accordance with the green requirements In the area of facilitating business practices and upgrading the emirate's classification in the Doing Business report issued by the World Bank, the Board approved the abolition of warehouse registration fees in order to encourage investment flow and reduce the cost of doing business in accordance with international best practices.