Dubai's Dh315m stimulus package explained: Fee discounts, cancellations

Dubai announced the fifth economic stimulus package to help Covid-affected businesses on Wednesday, taking the overall value of business incentives introduced by the emirate’s government to Dh7.1 billion.

The Dh315-million package announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, extends the validity of some of the initiatives announced in the previous stimulus packages for another six months — starting from January 2021 until June 2021.

Key decisions:

>> One-time market fees exemption in 2021 for commercial establishments and hotels that did not benefit from the reduction in previous packages launched in 2020.

>> Non-beach hotels and their restaurants will be refunded 50 per cent from the hotel sales fee as well as the Tourism Dirham Fee.

>> In the tourism, entertainment and events sector, the exemption from the fees charged for postponement and cancellation of recreational and sports events and activities — including conferences and exhibitions — has been extended.

>> The new package also extends the freeze on fees charged for ticket sales, issuing permits and other government fees imposed on entertainment and business events.

>> As per the approved initiatives, commercial licences can still be renewed without mandatory renewal of lease contracts.

>> The package also includes extending the cancellation of the 25 per cent down payment requirement for accepting installments of licensing fees and license renewal on a monthly basis.

>> Additionally, nurseries leasing land lots from the Knowledge Fund Establishment will continue to benefit from the 50 per cent reduction in land rent.

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi