Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently hosted a seminar at its premises which familiarised companies with regulatory requirements associated with the existing law governing volunteering activities in Dubai.

The seminar was organised by the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network Community Engagement Task Force in collaboration with the Community Developing Authority (CDA).

During the seminar Ahmed Hassan Lootah, Head of Volunteering Section, CDA, delivered an informative presentation on the Dubai volunteering law introduced in 2018 and provided an overview of the processes that companies should follow before involving employees in volunteering activities, including registration procedures volunteers and their projects through the Dubai Volunteer portal. Following the presentation, participants were given an opportunity to ask any volunteering related questions.

Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, said there has been heightened interest and more participation in volunteering initiatives within the business community, following the introduction of the volunteering law in Dubai in 2018.

“As more companies introduce corporate volunteering initiatives to support their CSR plans and stimulate positive engagement within their organisations, it is essential that they are fully informed of the rules and regulations that govern such activities,” said Dr. Rettab, who added that the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network Community Engagement Task Force would continue to play an active role in fostering a culture of volunteerism within the business community and encouraging companies to maximise their social impact.

For his part,  Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, CEO - Social Care & Development Sector, CDA said: “The percentage of the volunteering work in any society is an indicator on how this society is able to respond to economic and social changes smoothly, thus, we are keen to educate companies and individuals about the benefits of the programme, and about the volunteering law, that hugely encourages the volunteering work in Dubai.”

“The Dubai Volunteer Law provided an umbrella for the volunteer work in the emirate, CDA is responsible to organize the volunteering work and to link all stakeholders, this includes the opportunities providers, the volunteers, and the volunteering groups,” added Bin Huraiz.

Established by the Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business (CRB), the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network serves as the focal point for the business community to share and exchange best practices in implementing CSR. The network provides an opportunity for local companies to network, learn, share experiences and constitute CSR leadership.

The Centre for Responsible Business was established by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2004 to support and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. The Centre’s objective is to engage the Dubai business community in assuming greater responsibility for the emirate’s social and environmental needs. The CRB also promotes Dubai as the GCC’s gateway for global commerce by offering its business partners an environment of transparency and rule of law.

Meanwhile, Dubai Startup Hub, an initiative of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recently participated in a roundtable in Moscow which familiarised Russian startups with Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and growth opportunities that the emirate offers.

The roundtable, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and PROFEX, provided valuable insights on Dubai’s business environment, fast-growing startup sector, and the various accelerator and incubator programmes, initiatives, services and resources that are available to entrepreneurs in the emirate.

During the roundtable, Natalia Sycheva, Manager of Entrepreneurship for Dubai Chamber, highlighted the wide range of business opportunities available for innovative startups in Dubai, in particular those that specialise in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and smart city solutions.

She noted that the UAE has put into place to foster innovation, including its existing strategies focusing specifically on navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution and adopting artificial intelligence, blockchain and 3D printing, adding that international startups are playing a major role in these growth areas.

Sycheva delivered an informative presentation about the value-added benefits and practical support that Dubai Startup Hub provides to aspiring and established entrepreneurs in Dubai, as well as its programmes, initiatives and events that are designed to provide participants and members with clarity and guidance throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

She outlined the benefits of participating in the Market Access and Co-Founder Dubai, which pair innovative startups with business partners and mentors, and noted that Dubai Startup Hub is seeing growing interest and participation from startups that are based outside of the UAE that are keen to expand their footprint in the Middle East and surrounding markets.