Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development unveils new licenses ‘Automatic Renewal’ initiative during GITEX 2019

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) successfully launched its new ‘Automatic Renewal’ initiative for economic licenses during the 39th edition of GITEX Technology Week. The launch, which happened at theAbu Dhabi Government Pavilion headed by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), throws the spotlight on the new initiative that will now allow license renewal via SMS immediately after renewing the tenancy contract via ‘Tawtheeq’ System.

The move falls in line with ADDED's continuing efforts to achieve excellence in licensing services through the implementation of a more pro-active approach to investors and businessmen while also contributing to the efforts to enhance investment inflows and ease-of-doing-business in the emirate. 

H.E. Rashed Abdul Kareem Al Balooshi, Undersecretary, ADDED, explained that the new initiative is set to play an important role in the efforts to facilitate an easier way of doing business in Abu Dhabi, in line with the objectives set forth in the Abu Dhabi Development Accelerator Program, “Ghadan 21. The launch also falls in line with the Abu Dhabi Government's mandate to implement more pro-active customer approaches, including the creation of an incubator for entrepreneurs that can help in the enhancement of the emirate's competitiveness and consolidation of its position as a leading investment destination.

H.E. pointed out that the initiative allows license renewal for around 71 economic activities. However, further to the coordination with the local and federal entities, 3,438 economic activities can now be renewed automatically through SMS system with an average of 95 per cent of the registered licenses in Abu Dhabi.

Al Balooshi further added that the initiative is a key addition to the set of initiatives that have been created to help enhance ease of doing business, including the need to reach out to investors and businessmen via digital platforms, which are now considered as technological tools that can enable ADDED in better facilitating its licensing procedures. The move also serves as a catalyst in promoting the competitiveness of doing business among global reports.

H.E. emphasized ADDED’s keenness to follow Abu Dhabi Government’s directives and vision towards simplifying the procedures and ensuring easy access to government services for investors and businessmen. The launch also falls within the efforts to enhance the investment environment in Abu Dhabi and stimulate investors and businessmen to initiate their businesses in the UAE capital.

For his part, Mohammed Ali Al Marar, Director of ADDED’s Trade Licenses Department, shared that renewal ofcommercial licenses via SMS happens automatically without the need to follow-up from the client and wait for approvals from the relevant entities.

Al Marar further added that the License owner will receive a message 14 days prior to the expiry date of his license reminding him about the expiration and advising him to follow a link for paying his renewal fees. The procedure starts immediately after renewing the authentication contract by the client. Information will then be shared immediately viaSMS followed by the renewed license of his commercial activity right after paying the renewal fees.

Al Marar explained that the features of the automatic renewal initiative offers the possibility of renewing the economic license through ADBC via the offered tools without the need to get back to the relevant entities for technical approvals. H.E. added that the automatic renewal initiative comprises various economic activities, including land transport, aviation, logistics services, among others.