Dubai introduced a new framework for the emirate’s contracting sector, issued by Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The law applies to all contractors operating in Dubai — including those in freezones and special development zones — except for airport-related infrastructure and any activities formally exempt by the Executive Council.

A new oversight committee: The sector will get a new Contracting Activities Regulation and Development Committee that will be chaired by a Dubai Municipality representative and made up of members from relevant government bodies. The council’s responsibilities will include approving and supervising contracting activities, resolving jurisdictional disputes, coordinating with stakeholders, and proposing new policies and legislation. It will also adopt a sector-wide code of ethics and oversee the law’s implementation.

Centralized registry incoming: Dubai Municipality will set up and manage an integrated electronic system for all contracting activities, linked to the Invest in Dubai platform. The system will act as the sector’s central registry, covering contractor classification, issuance of technical competency certificates, and code of conduct enforcement.

Contractors will need to register and operate within their approved classifications, with subcontracting or exceeding limits only permitted with prior approval.

Enforcement and penalties: Violations of the law can result in fines ranging between AED 1k-100k. Repeat offenses within one year could see fines doubled to AED 200k. Additional measures include activity suspension, classification downgrades, registry removal, license cancellations, and deregistration of technical staff.

Transitional timeline: The new law will come into effect six months after its publication in the official gazette. Once effective, contractors currently operating in Dubai will have one year to comply with the new rules, with the possibility of a one-year extension granted by the committee if needed. During this transition window, existing registrations that are set to expire can be renewed by submitting a compliance pledge. Any conflicting legislation will be annulled.

IN OTHER REGULATION NEWS-

Abu Dhabi rolls out maritime safety bylaws: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has introduced new regulatory bylaws for maritime safety in Abu Dhabi waterways that aim to implement standardized benchmarks for all waterway usage, according to an Abu Dhabi Media Office statement. Abu Dhabi Maritime — in partnership with DMT’s Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) — will act as the executing body for several regulations. The regulations are slated to take effect once they are published in the official gazette.

The bylaws outline licensing requirements, operational standards, environmental compliance, as well as emergency protocols. It also prioritizes marine environmental protection — with regulations focused on mitigating pollution.

A maritime service fees and fines’ system will be established to ensure the application of the new measures. The fees will apply to licenses, permits, and inspections, while violations of the laws — including high-risk behavior, environmental breaches, and failures to adhere to navigation laws — could result in monetary penalties.

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