Sheikh Hamdan inaugurates new building of Dubai Economic Department at Business Village

Located near Clock Tower in Deira, the new building will serve as a one-stop shop for all DED services, including Business Registration and Licensing (BRL), the key interface between DED and the business community in Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the new premises following the opening.

Dubai SME and Dubai FDI, two agencies under the DED umbrella, are already functioning from the new building. More DED services are being integrated in the new building, which has an advanced e-services portfolio to facilitate faster processing of applications from investors and businesses.

His Excellency Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director General of the Dubai Economic Department, said that the new premises will allow DED to offer a more advanced, flexible, convenient and diverse suite of services to customers, reinforcing Dubai's reputation as one of the best business destinations in the world.

"This move reiterates the overall DED strategy of positioning Dubai as a unique hub of business excellence and innovation. The Dubai Strategic Plan and the UAE Vision 2021 both underscore the need for promoting a culture of openness in the country. Modernising government institutions and enhancing customer service through the Dubai Government Excellence Programme are among the key pillars of the Dubai Strategic Plan," said Al Qamzi.

The new building features an innovative Welcome Hub concept and e-kiosks where trained customer service representatives offer friendly counsel and cutting edge technology makes processes faster and more reliable. It is a marked improvement over traditional office cubicles.

"The new premises also marks a giant leap in implementing a complete e-services portfolio in Dubai, bringing the emirate closer to its stated goal of being globally recognised as a knowledge economy," added Al Qamzi.

Customers can choose from a range of online, self-service and value-added options, thereby saving time and effort. DED is planning to link telecommunication services, banks and other government departments, among others, to its online services platform to add further value to its Business Registration and Licensing, capitalising on the scalability and flexibility offered by the new premises.

Mr Mohammed Shael, CEO, Business Registration and Licensing, DED, said: "Investors dealing with Business Registration and Licensing can now experience upgraded and expanded services to ensure faster and more efficient service delivery. It enables our customers to focus more on their business while we enhance efficiencies through automated and user-friendly services."

"With the opening of the new building and its user-friendly e-services gaining wider acceptance in future, DED anticipates a greater proportion of users to execute their service needs on-line," added Shael.