Ras Al Khaimah is discounting administrative fees and waiving fines as part of a stimulus package to support businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic and ensure business continuity.
Some of the measures include extending the licence renewal period for 60 days from the date of expiry, waiving the marketing fees for two months, and exempting businesses from penalties for late payment of fees, the emirate’s government said in a statement on Saturday.
“The current circumstances compel us to act in unison and create practical strategies to deal efficiently with this situation and to prepare ourselves to make the most of available opportunities in the post-Covid-19 period,” Mohamed Abdullatif Khalifa, secretary general of the executive council of Ras Al Khaimah, said.
The emirate’s free zone, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, has launched various incentives to support 15,000 companies operating within it. These include a three-month exemption from renewing commercial licenses, a 25 per cent discount on new residency visas for dependents, an exemption from renewal delay fines, waiver of cheque postponement fees and a further 25 per cent discount on workers housing applications among others.
Ras Al Khaimah’s municipality is offering its retail tenants at its markets and advertising companies a three-month rent free period and is exempting companies from paying the municipal rental documentation fees. The authority has also reduced fees for issuing health insurance cards.
The emirate, which is rapidly emerging as tourism hub, also revealed a slew of measures to support the industry. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will provide a six-month exemption from the tourist licence fees while the tourist dirham fee will be waived from March to May.
“A financial incentives package is also being launched, targeting private tourism companies including mid-level and four-star hotels and specific tourist destinations, golf courses and other tourism institutions," the statement said.
Ras Al Khaimah also is one of the first emirates to replace fines for environmental violations incurred before March 31 this year with planting of trees. The number of trees will be determined by the severity of each violation and the authority will provide the trees to be planted, the government said.
The UAE has taken various measures to support businesses hit by the physical distancing measures in place to fight Covid-19.
Earlier this year, Fujairah announced tax relief for some businesses in retail and hospitality as the Covid-19 containment measures disrupted daily operations. The tax relief was aimed at businesses in the northern emirate that were affected as a result of stay-at-home directives which in turn led to their temporary closure.
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
