Abu Dhabi has offered restaurants, leisure, entertainment and tourism businesses in the emirate the opportunity to recover 20 per cent of their annual rent in an effort to cushion the economic blow of the Covid-19 crisis on the private sector.
The emirate's Department of Economic Development on Monday said in a tweet that it had set up a new digital service to receive requests for the rebate on commercial properties.
It said that "the refund process has been initiated for the owners of economic licences".
"Up to 20 per cent of the value of the rental contracts of the properties for its commercial facilities will be funded," the department said.
Abu Dhabi, which accounts for about 6 per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves, introduced a number of measures to shore up its private sector after the outbreak of Covid-19.
___________
Al Wahda mall reopens
___________
The emirate introduced a stimulus package in March to mitigate the Covid-19 crisis.
The relief programme includes 16 initiatives to reduce the cost of living and support businesses in the emirate.
Businesses eligible to apply for the rent rebate include restaurants, cafes, cafeterias and takeaway outlets.
The rebate also applies to businesses engaged in leisure, tourism and entertainment activities. Hotels, however, are excluded from the initiative.
The initiative has specific criteria and covers rental contracts signed between October 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, the department said on its website.
Rental agreements that expire between April 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, are also eligible.
The refund system is fully automated and companies will receive notification when the rebate has been deposited in their bank accounts, according to the department's website.
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MATCH INFO
Azerbaijan 0
Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
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Director: Sriram Raghavan
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Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
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Tomorrow 2021
Background
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The five pillars of Islam
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
