The Government of Dubai will impose two new fees - Knowledge and Innovation Dirham fees - on services provided by government authorities.

 

The UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has issued laws on the Knowledge Dirham Fee and the Innovation Dirham Fee, a Wam news agency report said.

 

The Knowledge Dirham Fee of Dh10 will be levied on all transactions for government services in Dubai including federal government services whose revenues are allocated to the Public Treasury of the Government of Dubai. The law aims to engage the community in supporting educational and cultural projects in Dubai, as well as create simple and clear procedures for the collection of the Knowledge Dirham Fee.

 

The Innovation Dirham Fee aims to support innovation-related projects and involve the public in supporting innovation. As per the law, Dubai government entities will charge the Dh10 fee for all transactions. The revenues generated from the fee will be allocated to the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).

 

The chairman of DFF’s Board of Trustees will set up the ‘Innovation Dirham Investment Committee’ to explore opportunities for investing revenues from the Innovation Dirham, and identifying innovative projects for support. Suggestions for investment and allocation will be presented to the board for approval.

 

The fees will not be refunded when transactions are cancelled. They will not be charged for transactions less than Dh50, and for taxes set by the Finance Department of DFF.

 

Healthcare Services provided by government entities are exempted from the fees, in addition to traffic fines for violations committed in Dubai which are collected in other emirates or other GCC countries, as well as fines for violations committed in other emirates or GCC countries collected by authorities in Dubai, the report said.