Happier times: Dubai unveils loyalty programme for govt services

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Happier times: Dubai unveils loyalty programme for govt services
In more happy news, Dubai Customs also announced that it has reduced fees on export declaration by courier companies.

Dubai - Move part of 10X initiative, which is all about disruptive innovation and ideas

By Waheed Abbas

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Published: Wed 3 Jul 2019, 7:47 PM

Last updated: Wed 3 Jul 2019, 9:51 PM

Dubai will launch a loyalty programme for government services that will benefit residents, visitors and companies, with the aim of helping the emirate become the happiest city in the world.
"The Dubai Loyalty Programme is part of the 10X initiative, which is all about disruptive innovation and ideas whereby the emirate can retain businesses in Dubai. Slated to be operational in the first quarter of 2021, this programme will initially be launched by five government entities and later it will be expanded to all," said Edris Ahmed Behzad, director of the Client Happiness Department at Dubai Customs.
"This unique loyalty programme will be adopted by all government entities. We will touch upon the life of each individual or a visitor to Dubai. We are at the early stage of this programme."
Currently, the UAE government runs a loyalty programme for federal government employees called Imtiyazat, available in both Android and iOS platforms. Generally, a loyalty programme allows people to earn points on spending on services, which can be redeemed while also availing other services.
Meanwhile, Dubai Customs also reduced fees on export declaration by courier companies with effect from July 1.
"There will be no customs declaration fees on goods going through courier companies with a value of up to Dh3,000. However, declaration forms will still be submitted by the couriers. While Dh10 will be charged on export declarations on goods between Dh3,000 to Dh15,000 to help the e-commerce to grow faster in Dubai," Behzad said.
Earlier, there was no fee on export declarations up to Dh1,000, but Dh120 fee was charged on declarations above this amount.
In addition, Dubai Customs is also launching a virtual stock guarantee for free zone companies and customs warehouses that utilise their standing guarantee - whether bank guarantee or cash - for their operations and expansion.
Instead, Dubai Customs will facilitate customers with virtual account which can be used in this kind of transactions which requires customs duty deposit, he said.
- waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com


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