DED and Emirates Post join hands to streamline business registration procedures

The announcement was made at a press conference held today at the Head Office of Emirates Post in Deira.

According to the agreement, investors can now route their applications for processing of new trade licences, making amendments to existing licences and cancelling existing licences through the Emirates Post offices in Dubai, without actually visiting the DED offices. In addition, investors can pay the renewal fees at Emirates Post offices in Dubai to receive their trade license. The new service is expected to begin by September 1, 2004.

‘Dubai has been witnessing tremendous development in recent years and its GDP touched AED 73.3 billion in 2003 recording an annual 6.2 per cent growth. Forecasts for the future also point to continuing advancement, giving rise to increasing investment opportunities and leading to greater interaction with the DED,’ said Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General, DED, announcing the tie-up.

‘The DED is working continuously to upgrade and ease its trade licensing and business registration procedures in order to facilitate investors and reduce the people throughput at its offices. This tie-up with Emirates Post will enable investors with completed documents to process their documents easily without actually visiting the DED,’ he said.

Mr. Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General, Emirates Post, said: ‘The acceptance and delivery of trade licences of The Department of Economic Development, Dubai, through post-offices is yet another addition to the portfolio of non-postal services provided by Emirates Post, as part of efforts to give more choices to customers. Customers of DED will have access to 24 post offices in Dubai and the convenience of extended timings, as our post offices are open for 12 hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.’

‘This new service will take us closer to our goal of making post-offices one-stop shops for all types of services, through our advanced POS system that creates electronic links with our partners like DED. The other non-postal services already available at our post offices include DEWA/SEWA bill payment, Etisalat telephone cards, Dubai Municipality parking cards and Ministry of Labour services. We are delighted to add Department of Economic Development to our list of partners,’ added Mr. Al Daboos.

Investors must enclose completed forms and necessary documents in specially designated envelopes, available at the post offices for a fee of AED10. Emirates Post will be responsible for the delivery of the relevant documents to the DED and collection and delivery of the processed trade licence to the investor. Fees for the business registration and trade licence processing will also be collected at the post office in accordance to the directions from the DED.

This service is available through the Emirates Post automated offices in Dubai in the following areas – Dubai Central, Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Jumairah, Satwa, Trade Center, Al Khor, Al Thanaweyah, Riqqa, Abu Hail, Al Towar, Al Qusais, Al Ramool, DNATA, Al Ras, Al Rashidya, Al Musalla, Hor Al Anz, Deira Main Post Office, Free Zone, Cargo Village, Beach Post Office, Al Aweer and the Convention Center.