Law No. (4) of 2016 On Restructuring and Organizing Department of Economic Development ( This Law had been repealed by Law No. (2) of 2025 On Organizing Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah ) We, Saud Bin Saqr Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi Ras Al Khaimah Ruler After perusal of the Constitution of United Arab Emirates; And Federal Law No. (5) of 1975 on Commercial Register; And Federal Law No. (1) of 1979 on Regulating Industry Affairs; And Federal Law No. (4) of 1979 on Suppressing Cheating and Fraudulence in Commercial Transactions; And Federal Law No. (18) of 1981 on Regulating Commercial Agencies; And Federal Law No. (37) of 1992 on Trademarks; And Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 on Promulgating Commercial Transactions Code; And Federal Law No. (18) of 1995 on Simple Crafts; And Federal Law No. (7) of 2002 on Copyrights & Related Rights; And Federal Law No. (17) of 2002 on Regulating & Protecting Industrial Property of Patents & Industrial Drawings & Models; And Federal Law No. (1) of 2006 on Electronic Transactions & Commerce; And Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection; And Federal Law No. (4) of 2012 on Regulating Competition; And Federal Law No. (9) of 2014 on Amending Federal Law No. (4) of 2002 on Combating Money Laundry Crimes; And Federal Law No. (2) of 2015 on Commercial Companies; And Federal Decree-Law No. (6) of 2015 on Establishing Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority; And Law No. (617 of 2004 on Commercial Concealment; And Law of 2004 on Operations & Activities of Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone Companies; And Notary Public Law of 2005, as amended; And Law No. (2) of 2007 on Establishing Environment Protection & Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, as amended; And Law No. (6) of 2008 on Regulating Real Estate Offices; And Law No. (6) of 2012 on Department of Economic Development; And Law No. (7) of 2012 on Establishing Executive Council in Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah; And Law No. (1) of 2013 on Human Resources, as amended; And Law No. (2) of 2013 on Regulating Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry; And Law No. (2) of 2016 on Ras Al Khaimah Studies & Statistics Center; And Emiri Decree No. (31) of 2003 on Establishing Investment & Development Office in Ras Al Khaimah Government; And Emiri Decree No. (2) of 2005 on Establishing Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority; And Emiri Decree No. (5) of 2009 on Establishing Ras Al Khaimah Competitiveness Office; And Emiri Decree No. (19) of 2011 on Controlling Membership of Joint Stock Companies Boards of Directors, as amended; And based on what is required by public interest. we promulgated the following Law: Article (1) The Department of Economic Development shall be restructured and organized in terms of objectives, competencies, organizational structure and financial resources as stated in detail in this Law. Article (2) Definitions Words and phrases stated in this law shall have the meanings indicated against each of them, unless context requires otherwise: State: United Arab Emirates. Emirate: Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Ruler: His Highness Ruler of the Emirate. Council: Executive Council in Ras Al Khaimah Emirate. Department: Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah Emirate. President: President of Economic Development Department. Director: Director General of Economic Development Department. Economic Activity: Any commercial, industrial, occupational, professional, agricultural or service activity or any other economic activity aims at achieving profit that may be carried on according to legislations in force in the State or Emirate. Competent Authorities: Any local or federal authority that falls within the competences thereof by legislations in force, regulating and controlling an economic activity or more. License: The document under which the Department permits natural or legal person to carry on a specific activity. Facility: Any company or establishment licensed to carry on the economic activity in the Emirate. Trade Permit: A document includes approval granted by the Department to the facility to carry on marketing activity. Marketing Activity: The activity conducted by the facility to market its products and services by commercial advertisements and billboards or clearance offers, sale, promotional campaigns or exhibitions, conferences and other marketing activities. Business Incubators: Set of services and facilities and support mechanisms in technical, administrative and consulting fields, provided by a competent authority for a limited period of time in order to encourage establishing and developing small and medium enterprises. Article (3) Department Objectives By practicing competences empowered thereto under this Law, the Department shall seek achieving the following objectives: 1. Achieve and raise rates of sustainable economic development in the Emirate in different economic sectors thereof by adopting principles of knowledge economy 2. Study and adopt the best economic and administrative practices utilized locally, regionally and internationally in practicing the economic activities and use the most modern techniques and methods in collecting economic information and data and develop rational plans to ensure optimum utilization of financial and human resources and capabilities available in the Emirate and materialize a multi-resources and multi-revenues economy. 3. Economic promotion of the Emirate locally and abroad and taking care of providing developed economic environment, accurate data and information and opportunities to use modern technology in order to know all investment opportunities available in the Emirate. 4. Organize business sectors and economic activities in the Emirate 5. Achieve and raise satisfaction rates of relevant categories of customers by developing its services and promoting contributions thereof in serving the society and strengthen its relations with partners and suppliers and coordinate with different public and private authorities in the Emirate to meet requirements of practicing economic activities in the Emirate easily and smoothly. 6. Upgrade the competitive advantage of the Emirate through boosting and raising rates of financial efficiency and effectiveness of the economic sector and overcome obstacles facing this sector in order to contribute to development and progress thereof. 7. Apply governance standards and activities in managing and exercising its powers in all organizational, financial and other matters. 8. Increase awareness among people and business community in the Emirate and provide them with adequate information and data on development of all economic matters and resolutions in the Emirate and abroad by benefiting from the most modern technological and electronic methods. Article (4) Department Competences 1. Prepare, in coordination with competent authorities, the draft legislations regulating economic activities in the Emirate, propose amendments required thereto from time to time and issue local orders and administrative resolutions on regulating the practice of economic activities for the purpose of optimum utilization of available resources and capabilities to improve the performance of different economic sectors. 2. Conduct studies related to commercial activity. 3. Provide, update periodically and maintain reference database to benefit therefrom in preparing studies and researches related to economic activities in the Emirate, prepare booklets, brochures and periodic newsletters concerned with economic activities in the Emirate and provide the same to competent authorities, researchers and investors. 4. Prepare database regarding global, regional and local economic indicators and variables, and analyze the same and develop forecasts on impacts thereof on the Emirate’s economy. 5. Seek to find solutions to problems facing economic establishments in their business in the Emirate for the purpose of raising efficiency and quality of their performance and coordinate with competent authorities on preparing economic cadres qualified to manage diversified economic activities successfully. 6. Contribute to qualify local businessmen, providing them with economic knowledge and experience to diversify and increase in-quality and quantity their investments and encourage them to participate effectively in economic and development projects in the Emirate. 7. Work on disseminating economic awareness in the local community of the Emirate and take procedures necessary to combat commercial fraudulent and illegal practices in the Emirate’s markets in order to raise the level of commercial confidence and security of investors and consumers. 8. Coordinate with competent authorities on promoting investments advantages in the Emirate and attracting investors and financiers of strategic economic, development and infrastructure projects in order to serve objectives of sustainable and comprehensive development. 9. Adopt and support initiatives with positive impact on economic policies in the Emirate. 10. Contract and/or participate in local economic seminars, conferences and economic delegates representing the State in international seminars, conferences and exhibitions. 11. Cooperate with ministries and federal authorities to enforce and properly apply federal laws and legislations relevant to the Department’s activity in the Emirate. 12. Represent the Emirate in economic and industrial committees set up at the level of the State in coordination and cooperation with competent authorities to study draft federal laws of economic nature and seek to develop the same. 13. Prepare a database on total indicators of long, medium and short-term plans and objectives and policies included therein in cooperation with competent authorities in a manner that gets along with strategies and approaches of the Emirate towards future. 14. Enter into economic agreements and follow-up the activity of international and regional economic organizations in coordination with concerned authorities. 15. Prepare studies necessary to activate the role of private sector and propose policies and strategies of developing and improving it in coordination with relevant authorities. 16. Propose policies necessary to protect competition and prevent monopoly in economic practices in the Emirate and implement such policies after being approved by the Executive Council 17. Practice the powers assigned to competent local authority in the Emirate that are stipulated in federal laws and legislations regulating enterprises and different economic and commercial affairs in coordination with federal authorities. The Department shall, in particular, practice powers of the competent authority to perform the following tasks and responsibilities:  Prepare and maintain the trade and industrial register and similar ones in the Emirate and regulate the trade names.  Protect commercial and industrial property rights of trademarks, patents, moral and intellectual rights pursuant to rules and principles applicable in the State.  Issue initial approvals to establish factories and decide on applications to expand the same in the Emirate in light of economic feasibility thereof.  Issue initial approvals to incorporate private and public joint stock companies in the Emirate, control their practice of their business pursuant to Law; issue approval on Emirate’s Government participation in public joint stock companies and strategic development projects and represent it in public companies and the mentioned projects in coordination with Investment and Development Office.  Issue licenses for companies and individual establishments and corporations subject to the competence of the Department pursuant to laws applicable in the State or Emirate and issue licenses to regulate exhibitions and local commercial markets and issue permits to conduct promotional campaigns of goods, products, special offers and all economic activities in the Emirate.  Issue approvals to offer goods and products in exhibitions and markets.  Issue approval on the names of candidates for membership in the public and private shareholding companies’ Boards in accordance with the approved criteria and prepare a record of minutes of the general meetings of such companies with necessity to represent the Department in its general assemblies without having a countable vote to supervise and ensure its compliance with laws and regulations.  Control and supervise all companies and establishments operating inside the Emirate except those excluded by special provision pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.  Set procedures and controls necessary to verify compliance of establishments to apply provisions of all legislations of anti-money-laundering.  Coordinate with Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology and follow-up, control and adopt applying standard specifications related to weights, lengths and measures in the various activities in the Emirate. 18. Set rules and controls necessary to grant licenses needed to practice economic activities in the Emirate and determine data and terms of these licenses and how to amend data stated therein in context of applicable legislations and in coordination with competent authorities. 19. Coordinate with relevant authorities to set rules and controls of granting some trade and industrial licenses with competent authorities. 20. Identify and classify economic activities that may be practiced in the Emirate and homogenous activities pursuant to the latest internationally recognized systems and work on developing and updating them periodically pursuant to economic activity needs and economic development requirements. 21. Issue permanent and temporary commercial permits of marketing activities according to requirements and controls approved therewith in this regard. 22. Regulate and determine working hours of economic establishments pursuant to controls approved therewith in this regard. 23. Enhance and activate electronic connectivity with federal and local departments and competent authorities on issuing certificates related to trade licenses and permits necessary for individuals, companies and corporations to complete their daily transactions. 24. Monitor and inspect, in coordination with competent authorities, intellectual property rights, combating commercial fraud, monitor weights and measurement tools and manage processes of commercial protection, consumer protection, competitiveness and antimonopoly in the Emirate. 25. Monitor and inspect establishments licensed to practice economic activities in the Emirate to ensure their compliance with conditions of license granted thereto. 26. Issue licenses for local citizens in their houses or through business incubators to practice some economic activities as an encouragement and stimulation for them to practice commercial business. 27. Prepare fees and fines schedules, make necessary amendments in light of market needs to ensure seriousness and effectiveness of licensed activities and approve such schedules by His Highness the Ruler or Executive Council Chairman. 28. Exempt some activities from all or percentage of fees pursuant to requirements and needs of market. 29. Regulate and monitor the practice of auditing profession. 30. Participate in providing perceptions and suggestions to accommodate local workforce in labor market including requirements of preparation, training and qualification. 31. Prepare the unified register and supervise operation, maintaining and development thereof in coordination with competent authorities. 32. License real estate offices and regulate operation thereof without any contradiction with laws and decrees in the Emirate. 33. Regulate, develop, follow up and maintain electronic manual of economic activities in the Emirate. 34. Regulate and issue licenses of commercial transactions through electronic websites in the Emirate in coordination and cooperation with Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 35. Any other competences or tasks assigned thereto by Ruler or Executive Council Chairman. Article (5) Amendment of Organizational Structure Director General is entitled to amend organizational structure of the Department upon an approval from President, as may be required the favorable progress of work. Article (6) Department President The President shall be at the head of the organizational structure of the Department and shall be appointed by Emiri Decree and shall be the senior officer before the Ruler for setting the general policies and plans of the Department, supervising the progress of work therein and implementing the tasks assigned thereto under provisions of this Law. He has the right to issue the necessary decisions, orders and internal regulations to ensure conducting the Department's daily work, performing its competencies and achieving objectives thereof stated in this Law, provided that the said resolutions, orders and regulations shall not contradict with provisions of this Law or any of laws and decrees applicable in the State or Emirate. In particular, President shall undertake the following. 1- Approve short-term strategic work plan and priorities to execute the same to achieve Department objectives. 2- Approve general balance sheet and its closing accounts. 3- Propose draft laws, Emiri decrees and regulations necessary to achieve Department objectives in preparation for being approved by H.H. the Ruler. 4- Set up different committees from Department employees and seek the assistance of outsourcing experts and consultants to carry out duties and specialties necessary to achieve strategic logistic and control objectives of the Department 5- Issue financial and administrative regulations to regulate workflow of the Department. 6- Review periodic reports submitted on workflow of the Department. 7- Prepare annual report of Department achievements at the end of each calendar year and the same shall be presented to His Highness the Ruler and Executive Council Chairman. 8- Prepare a schedule of fees and charges of services provided by the Department and fines. 9- Prepare a system of incentives and exemptions for public, including companies and licenses owners and others performing business or projects that shall advance the economic level of Emirate to be approved by Ruler or Executive Council Chairman. 10- Approve, after financial and legal review, projects, contracts and agreements stating rights of the Department or entailing liabilities thereon pursuant to provisions of this Law and internal by-laws of the Department. 11- Prepare any reports, data or other clarifications assigned thereto by His Highness the Ruler or Executive Council Chairman. 12- Any other assignments and duties entrusted thereto by His Highness the Ruler. Article (7) Director General Department shall have Director General to be appointed under an Emiri Decree. The same shall be the senior executive officer therein and the official responsible before President for its administrative, technical, financial and daily business and implementation of its duties under the provisions of this Law; in particular, he will undertake the following functions: 1. Prepare the draft of the Department organizational structure including competences of administrations, divisions, sub-units and committees from which Department consists pursuant to governance system adopted by the Department in all financial, administrative and control matters thereof and draft regulations and administrative systems therein and referring the same to President for approval. 2. Prepare the long, medium and short-term draft strategic plans of the Department and referring the same to President to be approved. 3. Issue internal administrative resolutions regulating work procedures in different administration and divisions of the Department. 4. Propose regulations and resolutions related to work regulation in administrative, financial and technical aspects in the Department. 5. Set up committees and teams necessary to follow-up, supervise and internal and external audit to ensure achievement of transparency and integrity of internal actions of the Department and its relationships with external community. 6. Take all procedures related to staff of Department to ensure improving their work environment, motivating them for work and innovation and bringing them happiness. 7. Recruit Department staff pursuant to human resources systems applicable in the Emirate’s Government and supervise them administratively and technically. 8. Supervise chief executive officers while developing operational plans of Department’s administrations and divisions and sign agreements and understanding memos necessary for that. 9. Solve customers’ complaints with Department and set up necessary committees in this regard to contribute to improving quality of services provided by the Department. 10. Sign and approve administrative penalty after a decision thereof is issued by Grievances Committee pursuant to Human Resources Law. 11. Approve training programs necessary to provide sufficient qualified cadres. 12. Prepare draft annual budget of Department and following implementation thereof after being approved by the President. 13. Prepare an annual report of Department business and financial data to be referred to the President for approval. 14. Propose fees, fines and exemptions of services provided by the Department and referring the same to the President. 15. Open and operate bank accounts in the name of the Department within the limits of powers granted thereto by Department President pursuant to financial systems applicable in the Emirate. 16. Issue disbursement orders within the limits of the permissible administrative balance sheet and he is entitled to authorize his Deputy in this regard. 17. Represent the Department before third party, government and non-government authorities and judiciary and conclude contracts and agreements necessary to achieve objectives and duties of the Department pursuant to powers entrusted to him by the President. 18. Approve participation in seminars and conferences held internally or abroad in the name of the Department. 19. Issue approvals necessary for sponsorships to ensure contribution of Department in developing local community. 20. Director General may authorize any of Department employees to represent it before any government or non-government authority or before judiciary or to perform any specific tasks without prejudice to provisions of Law No. (4) of 2012 on Government Lawsuits. 21. Director General is entitled to authorize or delegate whomever he deems appropriate to represent him before other authorities. 22. Any other tasks or powers entrusted thereto by the President. Article (8) Experts & Consultants Without prejudice to provisions of Law No. (1) of 2013 on Human Resources Law of Ras Al Khaimah Emirate, Director General may nominate any necessary experts, consultants and auditors in administrative, financial or economic or fields or other specialties provided that their appointment shall be by a resolution from the President. Article (9) Customers Complaints & Grievances Committee Under a resolution from Director General, a committee shall be set up of at least three members to be chosen by Director General provided that one of them is legal individual in order to consider grievances submitted thereto pursuant to applicable laws. The Committee shall decide on these grievances within no more than thirty days from the date of referring grievance thereto. However, Committee shall issue its decision by majority of votes. In case of a tie vote, the Committee’s Head side shall have the casting vote and its decision shall be final in this regard. Article (10) Customers Complaints & Grievances Any interested party may submit a written grievance to the Director General regarding the decisions taken against him by the Department within 30 days from the date on which he becomes aware of the decision. If the reasons for the grievance cannot be removed, the Director General may refer the grievance to the Committee stipulated in Article 9 of this Law to decide thereon. Article (11) Projects Execution The Department may authorize any of the local government departments to execute any of its projects or any part thereof and / or execute its projects by private sector establishments and companies or others. Article (12) Establishments and Centers Affiliated to the Department 1. Department may be affiliated by specialized establishments and centers practicing their functions in the fields related to provision and development of economic services in the Emirate. However, any of such establishments and centers shall be incorporated under a Decree from the Ruler upon a proposal from Director General after obtaining the approval of the President and be presented before Executive Council and referred to the Ruler or Crown Prince for approval. 2. In accordance with its needs and work requirements in affiliated establishments, Department may propose re-updating objectives and purposes of such establishments or dissolving or merging the same after being presented before Executive Council and resolution is promulgated by the Ruler. 3. Establishments affiliated with the Department are committed to implementing approved plans and policies and submitting periodic reports on their work, programs, statistics and information therewith pursuant to regulatory resolutions issued by the Department in this regard. Article (13) Department Employees Director General and all employees of the Department shall be governed by Human Resources Law of the Emirate. However, appointment or dismissal of any senior employee in the Department shall not be effective except after being approved by the President. Article (14) Department Financial Resources Financial resources of Department consist of the following: 1. Monies allocated to the Department in the Emirate annual budget. 2. Returns of investments in economic and development projects wherein Department engages. 3. Fees and charges of services provided to customers. 4. Profits of companies established or contributed by the Department. 5. Fines in all kinds whatsoever which are collected by the Department. 6. Any other proceeds determined under a decree or resolution promulgated by the Ruler or Executive Council Chairman pursuant to provisions of this Law. Article (15) Department Imports Department shall receive all exemptions and facilities which are granted to government authorities and departments. Article (16) Department Accounts 1. The Department shall have an annual budget to be listed within the annual budget of the Emirate’s Government and Director General shall supervise the preparation of the same after consulting the Department President pursuant to applicable financial rules and regulations. However, the same shall be approved pursuant to rules followed in the Emirate. 2. In regulating its accounts and records, Department shall follow accounting principles and standards approved inside the State and Emirate in line with international standards in this regard. However, its fiscal year shall commence on January 1st and ends in December 31st of each calendar year. Article (17) Executive Regulation Executive Council Chairman shall promulgate the executive regulation of this Law. Article (18) Any provision in contradiction with the provisions of this Law shall be repealed provided that all regulations, resolutions and rules applicable before the Department shall remain valid until executive regulation of this Law is promulgated. Article (19) Law Enforcement This law shall come into force as of the date of its promulgation and be published in Official Gazette. Saud Bin Saqr Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Promulgated by us on this day, eleventh of Muharram 1438H. Corresponding to twelfth of October 2016G.