Mohammed bin Rashid issues law regulating contracting activities in Dubai
The new law sets out a unified regulatory framework for contractor classification, oversight, transparency and accountability, supporting Dubai's goals for sustainable growth. It also aligns with the emirate's building codes, planning regulations, and long-term development strategy.
A key provision of the law is the establishment of the 'Contracting Activities Regulation and Development Committee', which will be formed by a decision of the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The committee, chaired by a representative from Dubai Municipality, will include members from government authorities and entities concerned with contracting activities.
The committee will be responsible for approving contracting activities in Dubai, identifying entities responsible for supervising each activity, overseeing the implementation of the law, proposing new policies and legislation for the sector, and resolving any jurisdictional disputes that may arise between regulatory entities. The committee will also adopt a code of ethics for the sector, coordinate with both public and private stakeholders, and review and act upon recommendations submitted by the authorities.
The law applies to all contractors operating in Dubai, including those based in special development zones and free zones such as the Dubai International Financial Centre. Contracting activities related to airports and their associated infrastructure, as well as any other activities exempted by a decision from the Chairman of The Executive Council based on the committee's recommendation, are excluded from the scope of the law.
Dubai Municipality has been assigned the responsibility of establishing, operating, and managing an integrated electronic system for all contracting activities in the emirate. This system will be linked to the 'Invest in Dubai' platform and serve as the central registry for contractors. Dubai Municipality is also tasked with preparing a code of conduct for the sector, classifying contractors engaged in construction, building, and demolition activities, and issuing professional competency certificates to technical personnel.
The law outlines rules for contractor registration. Contractors must comply with all relevant legislation and operate within their approved classification and capacity. They are prohibited from exceeding their technical or financial limits or subcontracting without prior approval.
Penalties for violating the provisions of the law or any related decisions include fines ranging from AED1,000 to AED100,000. Repeat violations within a year may result in doubled fines, up to a maximum of AED200,000. Additional actions may include suspension from contracting activities for up to one year, downgrading of classification, removal from the registry, cancellation of commercial licenses, and suspension or de-registration of technical staff and revocation of their professional certificates.
All contractors operating in Dubai at the time the law comes into force are required to regularise their status within a year. This period may be extended by the Committee for another year if necessary. Contractors whose registration expires during this period will be allowed to renew it upon submitting a declaration pledging to comply with the law's provisions within the given timeframe.
Any existing legislation that conflicts with this law will be annulled. The law will be effective six months after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
28 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai launches new classification system for AI-generated content
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Dubai has unveiled a global classification system aimed at distinguishing the role of humans and intelligent machines in the creation of research, academic, creative and scientific content, in a move that sets a precedent amid the growing use of AI and automation in content production. The Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification system, developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, was approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Foundation's Board of Trustees. 'Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today's rapid technological advances,' Sheikh Hamdan said. 'That's why we launched the world's first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons, a classification system that brings transparency to how research documents, publications, and content are created.' He called on researchers, writers, designers, and publishers globally to adopt the system 'responsibly and in ways that benefit people.' Sheikh Hamdan also directed all Dubai Government entities to start using the system in their research and knowledge-based work. Human–Machine Collaboration classification for AI-generated content The classification introduces five main icons reflecting varying levels of collaboration: All Human: No machine involvement. Human led: Human-created content enhanced or checked by machines. Machine assisted: Collaborative iteration between human and machine. Machine led: Machine-generated content reviewed by humans. All Machine: Fully machine-generated with no human input. It also includes nine function-based icons to indicate where machine interaction occurred — from ideation and data analysis to visuals and design. While it does not quantify the percentage of machine involvement, the system aims to promote disclosure and encourage content creators to self-identify the nature of collaboration involved. According to the Dubai Future Foundation, the Read:
Gulf Business
28 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to increase operational capacity by 40% in 2025
Image: Air Arabia Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has added two new Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft operated by the capital's first low-cost carrier to 12, the airline announced on Wednesday. The fleet expansion is part of the carrier's broader strategy to scale operations and strengthen Abu Dhabi's role as a growing aviation hub. The airline also plans to add two more A320s by the end of 2025, which will raise total capacity by 40 per cent. The increase is intended to support growing demand for travel and aligns with the emirate's economic and tourism development goals. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi capacity increase aligned with plans 'The addition of new aircraft and our strategic fleet expansion reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and expanding our network reach,' said Adel Al Ali, group CEO of Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, launched in 2020, currently connects the UAE capital to more than 30 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Eastern Europe. Its latest route additions include Yerevan, Almaty, and
Gulf Business
28 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
How can UAE-based firms manage employee travel risks in an uncertain world?
Image: Supplied In today's volatile global environment, travel risks have become a board-level concern for organisations headquartered in or operating out of the UAE and the Middle East. Whether responding to geopolitical instability, natural disasters, health outbreaks or climate-related disruptions, businesses must remain agile and informed to safeguard their most valuable asset: their people. Dubai and the broader UAE have long served as strategic hubs for multinational and regional companies, owing to their connectivity and business-friendly infrastructure. As a result, many organisations here have employees regularly deployed to — or permanently based in locations with elevated risk profiles. These include areas affected by conflict, civil unrest, health crises or environmental hazards. Sectors such as energy, construction, government services, NGOs and infrastructure development are especially prone to operating in such complex environments. While risk is not new, the speed and interconnected nature of today's crises demand a new level of preparedness. The UAE advantage – But no room for complacency Being headquartered in the UAE offers undeniable benefits — political stability, rapid response infrastructure, and strong global connectivity. However, these advantages do not come for granted outside of the UAE, whereby the security context can greatly shift. It's critical for organisations to recognise that the risk does not disappear at the departure gate. The Duty of Care follows employees wherever they go, and any lapse in preparedness can have legal, financial and reputational consequences. Thus, a holistic and proactive approach to travel risk management, one that is integrated into corporate strategy and culture, not just compliance checklists is a must. The new geography of risks and key steps to building resilience Today's risk landscape is no longer confined to conflict zones or politically unstable countries. Disruptions can arise suddenly, and from multiple sources: political unrest, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, or extreme weather events. Managing travel risk effectively requires a multi-layered approach. Based on our global expertise and regional experience, here are four key pillars UAE-based organisations should focus on: Pre-travel planning and risk assessment Before sending staff to a new location, particularly those marked as medium to high risk—conduct thorough threat assessments, backed by intelligence from trusted sources. Employee education and preparedness Regular training sessions, including crisis simulations, crisis management masterclass and security awareness briefings, equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately in dynamic environments. Real-time monitoring and incident response Having access to timely, verified information can be the difference between disruption and disaster. Therefore, having a system or team in place for real time monitoring and incident responses is crucial. Post-incident recovery and policy review Once a crisis has passed, it's vital to review and refine policies, ensuring lessons are incorporated into future planning. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to travel Whether your teams are deployed for infrastructure projects in remote areas or executive meetings in volatile regions, having the right strategy and plan makes all the difference. The writer is the GM Middle East, International SOS.
