Ministry of Economy licenses Emirati Musicians' Association to safeguard the rights of creators and musicians enhancing competitiveness of UAE's creative economy
The ceremony was organized by the Ministry in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). It was attended by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, who delivered the keynote address, along with H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property (IP) Sector at the Ministry of Economy. The event was also attended by representatives of various music sector entities, composers, artists, producers, various international organizations specializing in copyright protection, in addition to experts and stakeholders from the music industry and the UAE's IP protection landscape.
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, emphasized that the UAE has successfully created an advanced legislative environment aligned with global best practices to strengthen IP protection. This enhances the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, which are key drivers of the national economy. Over the past years, the UAE has successfully developed an integrated ecosystem for protecting authors' rights by updating legislation and launching impactful initiatives that keep pace with digital transformation and modern innovations, as reflected in the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Law. These developments have accelerated the country's efforts to position the creative economy as a fundamental pillar of sustainable economic growth.
H.E. Bin Touq added: 'The licensing of EMA marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance the growth of creative economy in the UAE, as it is one of the key pillars of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. We aspire to make our country a regional and global hub for culture, talent, and creative content through the development of an attractive and stimulating legislative and regulatory framework.'
The Minister of Economy explained that the initiative is the latest step in building an institutional framework that protects rights, enhances justice, and creates new opportunities for artists, authors, and producers within the UAE. This will contribute to the development of the creative industries related to music. It is also part of the continuing efforts to achieve the objectives of the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy, aimed at building a supportive environment that protects the rights of creators, attracting investment in the music sector, and establishing clear and transparent mechanisms for the collection and distribution of revenues.
Furthermore, H.E. pointed out that the licensing aims to create a strong and competitive collective management ecosystem for the music sector, which is key to attracting investment in the cultural industries and enabling partnerships between the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Economy does not limit its role to granting licenses, and will continue to provide technical and legislative support, as well as enhance cooperation with the Association to carry out its assigned tasks in accordance with best global practices.
H.E. added: 'The Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with relevant authorities from the public and private sectors, continues its efforts to provide all possible means to protect intellectual property rights across all economic sectors in the country, especially in creative industries. These sectors have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, in light of the country's abundant capabilities and opportunities for creators and innovators in various sectors and activities related to intellectual property and creativity.'
His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, affirmed that the granting of the first license to practice collective management of music rights consolidates the UAE's position as a leading destination in the field of intellectual property and a supporter of the music industry, which is a vital part of the creative economy. He pointed out that collective management is key to stimulating innovation, protecting the rights of creators, and building a sustainable environment that balances the interests of authors and artists with market requirements.
His Excellency said: 'The launch of this license represents a pivotal milestone in our cultural journey and reflects our vision for a future where creativity thrives. We at the Ministry of Culture are committed to empowering this sector through quality initiatives, most notably the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity, which provides comprehensive support to Emirati creatives, with the aim of enhancing cultural production and developing cultural and creative industries.'
His Excellency added: 'The move contributes to creating a sustainable environment that supports artists and authors, preserves their original work and moral rights, and ensures the continuity of creative production, enhancing the confidence of talented individuals that their creations are protected by fair laws that encourage innovation.'
The Ministry of Economy explained that it will work in cooperation with EMA to develop an advanced digital platform that enables the registration of rights and promotes efficiency in revenue management, in addition to organizing awareness workshops for artists to apprise them of their rights and the mechanisms for protecting them. Cooperation with international institutions working in the field of copyright will also be enhanced, leveraging global experiences in implementing the best legal and technical practices in this field.
Gadi Oron, Director General of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), said: 'I am delighted to be attending this ceremony, which marks the awarding of the license to the Emirati Musicians' Association. This is a significant step that will certainly serve as a model for other entities. At CISAC, we are proud to have been part of a unique international collaboration to achieve this milestone, and we will continue our commitment to supporting the development of EMA and helping it become a successful organization that represents creators both within the country and globally.'
Victoria Oakley, CEO of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), stated: 'The Emirati Musicians' Association has a governance system that meets international standards for managing public performance and broadcasting rights. The licensing of the association by the Ministry of Economy is another step towards establishing the UAE as one of the most vibrant and exciting music markets in the world. This is especially true given that the IFPI Global Music Report 2024 showed that this region is the fastest-growing music recording market globally. IFPI is proud to support these efforts and wishes it continued success and progress.'
The UAE prioritizes the development of an environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of creative industries. It has developed a number of laws and policies aimed at increasing the creative economy's contribution to national economic growth. This has boosted the contribution of cultural and creative industries to the UAE's GDP in 2022, up 3.5 per cent, equivalent to AED 54.4 billion.
In 2024, the global music industry saw its revenues grow by 4.8 per cent, reaching $29.6 billion, according to a report by IFPI. The Middle East and North Africa region grew by 22.8 per cent to become the fastest-growing recorded music market globally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tourism Breaking News
14 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Ministry of Tourism: Saudi Arabia Tops 100 Million Tourist Mark for the Second Year in a Row in 2024
Post Views: 52 The Ministry of Tourism has released its 2024 Annual Statistical Report on the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia, highlighting key indicators of tourism activity and underlining the sector's continued growth following the significant progress recorded in 2023. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, stated that the strong performance reflected in the 2024 report was achieved with the guidance and support of the Kingdom's leadership. His Excellency added that tourism has become a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, with the report showcasing the sector's accelerated growth driven by the efforts of the Ministry and all stakeholders of Saudi Arabia's tourism ecosystem. According to the report, the Kingdom welcomed around 116 million domestic and inbound tourists in 2024, a 6% increase compared with 2023. Total tourism spending—for domestic and inbound tourism—reached approximately SAR 284 billion, reflecting 11% growth year-on-year. The Ministry noted that Saudi Arabia achieved its highest-ever number of inbound tourists, receiving about 30 million inbound tourists in 2024, marking an 8% rise versus 2023. Inbound tourism spending in 2024 totaled SAR 168.5 billion, up 19% from 2023. Domestic tourism also experienced solid growth with 86.2 million domestic tourists in 2024, marking a 5% increase compared with 2023. Moreover, domestic tourism spending reached SAR 115.3 billion in 2024.
What's On
15 hours ago
- What's On
The ultimate guide to buying property in Dubai (without the headache)
Thinking about buying your first home in Dubai? Whether you're dreaming of a city-view apartment, a cozy townhouse, or a spacious villa, stepping onto the property ladder in Dubai is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming too. With so many options, rules, and paperwork, where do you even start? Good news: buying property in Dubai has never been more accessible, especially with new government initiatives making it easier for first-time buyers. Here's your go-to guide with top tips to help you navigate the process like a pro. 1. Make sure you're eligible Before you fall in love with a property, check that you meet the basic requirements. You need to be over 18 years old, have a valid Emirates ID, and be a UAE resident (for most of the government-supported programmes). Article (4) of Law No. 7 of 2006 outlines who can buy and own property in Dubai. According to the law, you can purchase real estate anywhere in Dubai if you are: A UAE citizen A GCC citizen 2. Set a realistic budget It's tempting to go big, but it's smarter to know your financial limits. Don't just think about the price of the home, factor in the down payment (usually 20–25% of the property value), Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fees (typically 4%), agency commission (around 2%), mortgage arrangement and valuation fees, and ongoing yearly service charges. Tip: many banks now offer competitive mortgage options for first-time buyers. It's worth shopping around to find the best one. 3. Take advantage of first-time buyer benefits Dubai recently launched a first-time homebuyer initiative that gives residents access to priority booking on new projects, developer discounts, interest-free DLD registration fees, and flexible payment plans. You can register through the DLD website or Dubai REST app—just enter your preferences (type of property, budget, how you'd like to be contacted) and let developers and banks come to you. 4. Choose the right location Dubai is full of great communities, but your lifestyle and budget should guide your pick. Ask yourself: do I want to be close to work, schools, or the beach? Am I buying to live or to rent it out later? Is this area still developing or well-established? Popular choices for first-timers include Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Hills Estate, Town Square, and parts of Dubai South. 5. Have all the paperwork Once you've picked your dream place, make sure all the documents are in order. You'll need your Emirates ID and a copy of your passport, proof of income (salary certificate, bank statements), pre-approval from a bank (if taking a mortgage), a signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), and payment of DLD fees and registration. You'll also need the original title deed to the property and no-objection certificates (NOC) from a government agency or the former owner (if you're purchasing on the secondary market). For off-plan properties, a sales purchase agreement is also mandatory. 6. Think long-term Buying property is a big commitment, so think about resale value, rental potential, and how your needs might change. Will you need more space in a few years? Is the area growing or already saturated? 7. Ask questions. Lots of them. Don't be shy, this is your investment. Ask about the developer's reputation, payment timelines, service charge history, maintenance and handover process, and what's included (appliances, parking, amenities). 8. Check that your real-estate broker has a RERA license All real estate brokers should be registered with RERA which is a government license and means having relevant education, training and specific skills in Dubai property selling. 9. Get the property inspected It's important to know exactly what you're buying, especially with a purchase so important and valuable as a property. Before proceeding with any legal documentation, get your potential property inspected by a professional inspection company. 10. Negotiate the price Many properties will be advertised higher than what the seller is willing to pay for them, try and negotiate the price as much as possible. If you're buying an off-plan, you may have less room to negotiate but you can often choose flexible payment plans to help instead. Image: Archive
Web Release
17 hours ago
- Web Release
UAE and India explore avenues for enhancing economic and industrial collaboration during the upcoming stage
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, today held a high-level meeting with H.E. H. D. Kumaraswamy, Indian Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, and his accompanying delegation at the Ministry of Economy headquarters in Dubai. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration across key economic and industrial sectors, with a particular emphasis on the new economy, logistic transportation, advanced technology, manufacturing and food industries. H.E. Bin Touq underscored deep-rooted and strategic partnership between the UAE and India, noting the shared commitment of the leadership to expanding cooperation in new economy sectors. 'The two nations enjoy a decades-long history of economic collaboration built on shared interests, and a common vision for sustainable growth,' H.E. said. H.E. further highlighted significant areas of alignment in both countries' development strategies, including the circular economy, advanced manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. H.E. Bin Touq said, 'Economic collaboration between the UAE and India continues to strengthen, with notable growth in business activities. In the first half of 2025 alone, 22,415 new Indian companies entered the UAE market, an increase of over 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. By the end of June 2025, the total number of Indian companies operating in the UAE reached 264,687. During the meeting, we discussed strategies to enhance communication between business communities of the two countries and to encourage the establishment of diverse ventures across vital economic sectors.' H.E. noted that the UAE has an adaptable and competitive legislative and economic environment that stimulates industrial investments across the world. The manufacturing sector contributed 13.5 per cent to the UAE's non-oil GDP in 2024, ranking as the second on the list of economic activities contributing most to the non-oil GDP of the national economy. Additionally, the foreign direct investment (FDI) in this vital sector reached approximately AED?40?billion (USD?10.9?billion) by the end of 2022, representing 7 per cent of the country's total FDI inflows. The meeting also explored the key enablers and competitive advantages of the UAE's business environment for Indian companies, along with strategies to maximize these benefits. Among the highlighted strengths were the UAE's strategic location connecting East with West, its comprehensive economic partnerships, advanced infrastructure, diverse logistics services, and tax incentives that encourage the establishment of diverse economic and investment activities. Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, aimed at adopting latest technologies across sectors related to the new economy. This supports the building of a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy and fosters sustainable economic development.
