Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 13, 2020:   The Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK DED) has revealed that it completed 1,219 electronic transactions during March and April. The department, which is responsible for creating an environment in Ras Al Khaimah where trade and commerce can flourish, says that its Smart Services make it easier for customers to conduct their business, as well as strengthen its efforts to support business continuity in the emirate.

The electronic transactions accomplished by RAK DED during the two-month period covered an array of services it provides to the business sector, most notably the issuance of new licenses,  including those covering on-line retailers and mobile retail stalls; the renewal, amendment, cancellation and issuance of permits; the registration of trade names and registration in the ‘Tomorrow's License Program.’

Significant figures within the total number of electronic transactions include license renewal applications, which amounted to 369 requests, Certificate of Interest requests, which amounted to 168 requests, and commercial permit applications, which numbered 138 transactions.

Dr. Abdulrahman Alshayeb Alnaqbi, Director General of RAK DED, explained that the department’s activities and actions are in line with the directions of the UAE government and health authorities to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). He reiterated that all government services in Ras Al Khaimah were being reset to meet the needs of community members, with the reset involving the closure of the department’s Happiness Center, facilitating remote working for employees, and transitioning all transactions to the electronic format. 

Dr. Alnaqbi said that the department prepared its personnel to deal with this challenge efficiently and smoothly, training them in advance to complete all transactions across the department’s various channels, including website, email, phone lines and WhatsApp service. He said that the department had taken full advantage of the media and information channels to circulate news about the measures that have been adopted. 

Mohammed Al-Mahmoud, Acting Deputy Director General and Director of Business Development in RAK-DED, explained that the department is witnessing good interaction by the business community with its services, in particular its supporting licenses such as Tomorrow's Home License, Virtual Merchant and Mobile Cart. He said that his Department of Business Development within RAK DED had received 28 electronic requests from the 1,219 total, comprising 20 transactions relating to a Tomorrow's Home License (issuance, renewal and cancellation), four requests for issuance and renewal of mobile retail stalls and one request for an online retailer license. He said that a further three applications are currently subject to study and evaluation by the department.