SEDD confirms exemption of licensing fees for economic facilities

WAM/ Agencies

The Sharjah Economic Development Department, SEDD, lauded the package of incentives and decisions approved by the Government of Sharjah to support the government and private entities, as well as business sectors and individuals.

These decisions cover all aspects of institutional and societal work without exception, to demonstrate that Sharjah offers a stimulating and supportive environment for business, and is attractive for foreign and direct investments, by strengthening the trust between the public and private sectors.

Commenting on this, Sultan Abdulla Bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, SEDD Chairman, stressed that these decisions, which included economic facilities being exempted from annual fees for three months from 1st January 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2020, are aimed at attracting investors to the emirate and stimulating investments. They also contribute to enhancing Sharjah’s regional status and its global position and play an important role in providing the appropriate climate and a better environment for customers and investors, as well as decision-makers. They could also help the emirate maintain its level of economic development and enable operating institutions and companies to continue their business and activities.

He indicated that the department has started adopting and implementing this decision, and thanked the major role of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, the Crown Prince and the Executive Council, for their rational leadership in setting up strategic directions during various situations, which contributed to advancing the economy.

He also added that the diversity of incentives approved reflects the awareness of the wise leadership over the importance of working together in the face of the current situation and to make practical decisions that meet the needs and requirements of the economic sector during these exceptional circumstances.

He noted that the licences that were renewed during the first quarter of this year will be taken into consideration before the issuance of the exemption decision, stating that they will be compensated during the same period next year to motivate the owners of licences and investors to continue operating their businesses, taking into account the current circumstances.

Meanwhile, as the schools, colleges and universities have introduced e-learning lessons to their students, a leading transport provider Gulf Pinnacle Transport has announced a big relief for parents by scrapping third-term transport fees to ease their financial woes.

“We have decided not to charge bus transport fees from students as the education institutions decided to complete third term of academic year 2019-20 through e-learning to contain coronavirus in the country,” said Sachin Gupta, General Manager of Gulf Pinnacle Investments LLC (GPI), the UAE subsidiary of Gulf Pinnacle Logistics, the owner of the student-bus transportation company, Gulf Pinnacle Transport (GPT).

“The decision will create some cash flow problems for the company, but we want to ease pressure on parents in this challenging time. Any payment that has already been made from 1st April 2020 will be advanced to the period when the schools will reopen,” Gupta said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The authorities have been continuously taking initiatives to support all segments of society. We at GPL are committed to make student transportation a much safer and enjoyable experience,” Gupta said.

The GPI General Manager further said that there is considerable stress on their courier business − Century Express Courier Services and CFS and Warehousing operations in Jebel Ali − Abdul Muhsen Shipping and So Safe Logistics due to the current situation created by COVID19.

GPT, which started with three school contracts in Dubai in August 2016, has a fleet of 275 buses transporting over 7,600 students from 13 schools. The company bagged the first place in RTA’s prestigious Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) in the “Transport Safety” category during the 2018 Awards ceremony.

He appreciated the UAE government measures to promote e-learning and engage the education institutions and students despite a challenging environment that impact the whole society.

He also thanked the Board of Gulf Pinnacle Logistics for taking such a decision during the difficult situation created by COVID 19.

NO LAYOFF The Head of GPT, Ganesh Sivaraman added that the company will retain its bus drivers and other support staff in these difficult times.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and keep active and open communication channels with all our employees to ensure they are secure and in good health,” Sivaraman said.