The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza) rolled out a set of economic incentive packages, to help mitigate the impact of coronavirus on businesses operating in the free zone.
The initiatives include the postponement of lease payments for up to three months and allowing other financial payments to be made in instalments. The free zone will also refund security deposits on leased spaces and labour guarantees to companies, it said on Sunday.
Other measures include exempting new companies from registration and licensing fees, as well as the cancellation of fines.
“By launching this package we aim to reduce the impact of this crisis on businesses. We stand in solidarity with our companies to overcome the challenges caused by the global spread of Covid-19,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dafza in a statement.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to providing the ideal environment for them to ensure their business continuity and to help develop and grow their operations despite the fluctuations and global economic conditions.”
Dafza has taken a set of preventive measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus within the free zone, including setting up an emergency committee.
It also implemented a 100 per cent remote working system and closed all external facilities within the free zone, including foodcourts and other facilities. The free zone also started a comprehensive campaign to clean and sterilise all of its streets, buildings, facilities and warehouses.
“We aim to provide an optimal environment for multinational companies that play a key role in enhancing its operations, support on legislations and laws, and providing economic incentives that protect their practice and expansion in an appropriate manner,” said Mohammed Al Zarooni, director general of Dafza.
Dafza reported total foreign trade of Dh120 billion in the first nine months of 2019, up 11.2 per cent year-on-year. India accounted for the highest percentage of Dafza's trade, with 18.7 per cent or the total at Dh22.4bn, followed by Switzerland with 17 per cent at Dh20.2bn and China with 15.5 per cent at Dh18.6bn.
The UAE was the first country in the Mena region to roll out fiscal and monetary support now totalling more than Dh282bn, providing zero interest funding to encourage banks to lend in addition to a variety of other initiatives that range from discounted utility bills to waivers of government fees.
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
6.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m, Winner: Mayehaab, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Monoski, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Eastern World, Royston Ffrench, Charlie Appleby
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Madkal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Taneen, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
