The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
However, expats have up to the end of 2013 to get their cards processed, said a senior official from the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA), noting “this doesn’t mean they should wait until that time”.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Ali Mohammad Khouri, Director-General of the EIDA, said: “The extension granted to the UAE citizens is their “last” chance and will not be extended further.”
He added that the authority has developed an appropriate mechanism to impose fines on those who would exceed the new deadline and fines of up to Dh1,000 are being considered, pending approval. However, no penalties for expats have been considered as yet. He noted that the exact penalties would be announced at a later date.
Shedding light on the Identity Strategy 2010-2013 which enables the linking of ID registration with visa renewals or issuance, he said: “We are working to get the system going in two weeks and would be completely ready by the end of next year.”
He urged professional residents to continue with their process to get the ID cards and not wait until the renewal of their visas, while requesting labourers to wait until their visa renewals to get their cards. This, he added, would help in avoiding too much rush which is being experienced at the moment.
He called upon citizens, who did not take the initiative yet to register for the ID card as yet, to get it done before the end of the grace period given to them, in order to avoid disruption of governmental and private services and transactions during the coming period, and to avoid fines as well.
According to the National Centre for Statistics, as many as 125,000 UAE citizens, mostly children, have not enrolled with the EIDA as yet.
The EIDA has taken several measures to expedite the entire process, one of which being the increase of working hours. Around 140,000 cards were processed in the last few months and there are around 20,000 cards pending to be dispatched, which were delayed due to various reasons.
Dr Khouri urged those who have processed their papers but not got their cards as yet, not to panic, “as the system will ease up in the next few days”.
The market, which is expected to post over Dh100 billion in sales through more than 30,000 transactions in first quarter, will sustain steady increase in transactions and prices throughout the year
She was shopping in Hong Kong, where she was on vacation with her family, when someone spotted her and asked if she'd like to become a model.
After the October 7 attacks, Israel imposed a complete siege on Gaza, blocking food, water and medicine, before eventually allowing some deliveries
The event highlighted Hilton's innovative ‘Green Ramadan’ initiative and its commitment to sustainable hospitality in Hilton
On every 19th of Ramadan, the country celebrates Sheikh Zayed Humanitarian Day to commemorate the humanitarian efforts of the founding father
Customers can earn miles with every purchase made with any linked payment card across all Union Coop stores and online
People will be trained for a couple of months before they are able to drive and fly it
Conditions are likely to get humid by night time