eVisions

Symbolism of the planting of the Union Tree

This issue coincides with our overwhelming joy marking the 41st anniversary of the UAE federation; a joy that we see in the eager eyes of our citizens and residents. We stand witness to the wisdom of our early leaders, whose foresight allows us to take pride in the UAE’s achievements in all walks of life. Let us therefore take this opportunity to reflect on the presence of our wise leadership, whose actions go beyond mere words to achieve excellence in all spheres including political, economic, education and social. We also think of all UAE nationals whose love for their homeland is limitless. The anniversary springs forth from the vision of our founding fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and their brethren, the Rulers of the Emirates when they all agreed to establish the federation. From the very beginning, the focus was on the development of the citizen and state, so as to enable the country to be placed amongst the advanced countries of the world. Although this objective seemed a pure fantasy to some people at the time, persistence and determination were behind the bid to build a nation that sought wellbeing and This interaction in the electronic world, which was caused prosperity for its citizens and residents. It became an by one tweet by HH Sheikh Mohammed, clearly shows ongoing process by the leaders who followed with the same that the UAE society has become a knowledge society that firm will, perseverance and sincerity, thereby proving to be a depends for information and communication on the modern worthy successor to our founding fathers. structure of electronic communication and information. At eGovernment, we feel satisfied with the direction *** in which we are headed, as we continue to transform His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, government services from their traditional model to the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of electronic one. Dubai, recently launched the Union Tree at the same location The success of the UAE federation model has added where our founding fathers planted the seed of our union. to the respect and appreciation of the UAE in international This sublimely symbolic initiative provides our citizens an forums and allowed us to win the race with time to serve opportunity to contribute their national feelings and love to the nation and citizens as symbolized by the planting of the this dear country; built by our forefathers through cohesion Union Tree. and loyalty, leaving us a robust federation with a high quality of life for all UAE citizens. The moment HH Sheikh Mohammed tweeted the Union . Tree initiative, his Twitter account was inundated with positive responses from so many citizens, who responded to the call as proof of their love for their homeland and loyalty to their leadership, resulting in the phrase ‘Union Tree’ finding a place in the vocabulary of social networking sites and search Director-General, engines on the Internet. Dubai eGovernment Department

December 2012 - Issue 110 1 Our Vision

The vision of Dubai eGovernment is to ease the lives of people and businesses interacting with the government and contribute to establishing Dubai as a leading www.deg.gov.ae economic hub. Dubai eGovernment’s mission is to achieve a virtual government through the provision of high-quality customer focused eServices for individuals, businesses and government departments and to promote eServices adoption through customer management. Dubai eGovernment promotes eServices through www.dubai.ae - the unified official portal for Dubai Government that provides all residents and businesses of the emirate with more than 2000 electronic services. The Official Magazine of e4all is the official magazine of Dubai eGovernment, and helps in creating awareness Dubai eGovernment Department of eServices to all segments of society and spreading an electronic culture for the well- being of all. Editorial Content

Issue No. 110 - December 2012 Executive Editor Ahmad Bin Humaidan [email protected] Chief Editor P. 4 Amer Al Hamayda 4 [email protected] eNations under the shadow of the UAE Union Magazine Coordinator Tree Jamal Khalifa Almulla [email protected]

English Editor Garth Mitchell [email protected] P. 10 Editor Mygov.ae..the Yaqdhan Mustafa federal portal for [email protected] customer feedback and suggestions Graphic Designers Fatima Ibrahim Ayesha Al Ansari [email protected] Active population during the daytime 2012 Population by gender mid 2012 P. 11 9 New look for Dubai Contact e4all Population by education status 2011 * Population by marital status 2011 * Statistics Center portal Dubai eGovernment Department dsc.gov.ae Tel: 04-4056274 with mobile services

Fax: 04-3532988 * Source: Labour force survey 2011 P.O.Box: 90300 e-mail: [email protected] 13 ... An electronicΓέϮθϨϤϟ΍Ω΍έϵ΍ version can be viewed on www.dubai.ae The articles in this publication reflect only the author’s opinions and not P. 12 necessarily those of the eGovernment or its staff. Doing Business in Republishing of material in this the UAE – 2013 publication is not permitted without attribution of this publication as the source. Global reports

UAE ranked 7th globally in labour market efficiency UAE has been ranked 24th out of 144 countries globally

The Global Economic Forum has classified the UAE The UAE had joined the innovation and creativity driven economy for the seventh year consecutively among among economies since 2006. As a result it has been ranked ahead the top 23rd world economies based on innovation and of New Zealand, Australia, Italy and Spain. creativity. Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State and Chairperson of According to The Global Competitiveness Report 2012- the Emirates Competitiveness Council said the report is an 13 released by the World Economic Forum in Geneva on authentication from the international community about the Wednesday, the UAE has been ranked 24th out of 144 status of UAE as one of the most advanced and innovative countries globally, jumping three ranks from last year. The countries, thanks to the wise UAE leadership for the UAE’s report evaluates the countries competitiveness along the 2021 vision to make the UAE one of the most competitive 12 pillars corresponding to three main stages of economic countries in the world by 2021. development: Stage 1: Factor Driven; Stage 2: Efficiency She added that the UAE’s competiveness index regarding Driven; and Stage 3: Innovation Driven. the labour market efficiency surged by 21 points to seventh globally, reiterating that the UAE would score better results in the next global competiveness reports. The UAE topped the list of Arab countries and ranked 5th globally in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report for ease of trading across borders. Similarly, it ranked 1st among Arab countries and 17th worldwide on the UN’s recent World Happiness Report and 16th internationally in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook. •

December 2012 - Issue 110 3 Cover Story

The UAE is ranked as the first Arab country in terms of eReadiness, business-friendliness, foreign investment attractiveness, tourism levels and e-travel and more importantly, the first Arab nation to be based on a federal system for 41 years. This is the key to its success and distinction. This union has achieved a deep transition in the lives of UAE citizens. Here, we review the UAE achievements and government electronic presence and how it has, with vision and solid determination been able to achieve:

eNations under the shadow of the UAE Union Tree UAE eGovernment Abu Dhabi eGovernment Government.ae Abudhabi.ae

This portal represents an official site for the United Embedded in a broad Government reform, Abu Dhabi has Arab Emirates federal government, which comprises of a strong commitment to developing an e-enabled, service- more than fifty federal organizations and ministries. Its oriented government. In its eGovernment vision, Abu Dhabi eServices extend beyond the federal sector to the local Government’s ambition is to become a “high performance government departments and private sector. The portal government delivering world class services to the benefits of has also launched the UAE e-Encyclopedia as the first all its customers”. This vision translates into four focus and comprehensive encyclopedia on the . design themes for the eGovernment strategy, i.e. a focus on end-users and efficiency, and a comprehensive and cross- UN eGovernment Survey 2012 government design. The UAE has made a remarkable achievement worldwide The Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC), in the field of eGovernment according to the UN eGovernment which was created as a Committee in October 2005 by Survey 2012. The biennial Survey which was released in Executive Council Decree No. (33), and established as February 2012 is the most comprehensive reference for Centre in 2008 by Law No. (18), owns the IT agenda of the eGovernment programmes in the world. The 2012 edition of Abu Dhabi Government and leads the eGovernment effort the Report focuses on the role of eGovernment in sustainable across entities. Its mandate is to: development. • Supervise the implementation of the eGovernment programme in Abu Dhabi Government entities. • Sponsor initiatives and mature assets and competencies From 99 to 7 in online services that it deems of critical importance for the eGovernment The UAE has leaped to rank 7 on the ‘online service project. index’ in the United Nations eGovernment Survey 2012; up • Propose policies and technology standards for from rank 99 in the 2010 version of the biennial report. This the government and relevant entities to achieve a noteworthy advancement is a rare achievement for a country comprehensive quality in reaching the highest levels of since the UN started releasing the eGovernment Surveys in efficiency, confidentiality and safety in the eGovernment 2003. project. • Issue rules and guidelines regarding the implementation From 86 to 6 in eParticipation of IT policies and the technical specifications, and The Report also shows that the UAE Government has communicate them to all the government entities. made a great advancement in the field of eParticipation, • Submit the guidelines regarding the IT sector and the another main factor in determining eReadiness. The UAE eGovernment to the Executive Council. has advanced from 86 in 2010 to rank 6 in the 2012 Report. eParticipation is particularly important as a tool of To deliver on its mandate, ADSIC has four major roles: it communication between the Government and the public. acts as an ‘authority’ in the field of IT policies and standards and is an ‘enabler’ of technology and infrastructure projects From 49 to 28 in eReadiness for government modernization initiatives. Furthermore, as an This giant progress was reflected in the overall rank of ‘innovator’, ADSIC aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leader in the UAE in the eGovernment development index. The UAE government modernization both regionally and globally, and has advanced from rank 49 in 2010 to rank 28 in 2012. Over as an ‘educator’ to foster IT literacy and create awareness for this short period, Emirates eGovernment has succeeded the potential and benefits of automation. in regaining the leading position of the UAE in the field of In developing and maintaining Abu Dhabi’s eGovernment eReadiness in the region and the world. strategy, ADSIC uses an internationally recognized conceptual

December 2012 - Issue 110 5 structure that addresses eGovernment challenges in a In March 2009, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al comprehensive fashion: the three-dimensional Environment- Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Readiness-Usage (E-R-U) framework. Ruler of Dubai, issued Law No. 7 for 2009 establishing Dubai The Usage dimension addresses government interaction eGovernment as a Department. with customers, i.e. individuals, businesses, government Under the Law, Dubai eGovernment Department merged entities and government employees. It translates into the eServices and Government Information Resource an e-enabled service delivery model across Abu Dhabi Planning teams into one department aimed at jointly Government entities whereby services are offered in a user- building a knowledge community and leading the emirate’s centric and seamlessly fashion, independent of the access eTransformation. channels chosen by users. Dubai eGovernment Department offers many direct public The Readiness dimension focuses on the government’s services and other core services to government entities capability to deliver services and encompasses two and government employees through its corporate website. core attributes, namely the underlying technology and It is also tasked with fully managing and supervising the infrastructure building blocks as well as the capabilities and official portal of Dubai Government, www.dubai.ae, which organization culture. has become a virtual government park featuring over 2,000 The Environment dimension addresses the country-wide government services, provided by Dubai departments and is context factors relevant for service provision and usage. constantly updated. These factors cover political leadership, local & federal The Dubai eGovernment Department is located at HH collaboration, Abu Dhabi demographics & nuances and Dubai Ruler’s Court and is led by H.E. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, legislation & regulation. Director-General. The entire team of the Department is These three dimensions engage all government entities in working towards fulfilling the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed a varying way – with the aim of establishing a user-focused Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, to service delivery, and one face to the customer. provide a world-class eGovernment in Dubai To build a connected government, four types of communication channels should be considered: channels Dubai eGovernment that connect all units of a government entity, channels that Dubai.ae connect multiple government entities, channels that connect government entities with institutional providers (like banks, schools etc) and channels that connect with beneficiaries or users. To ensure these communication channels are available and effectively employed, a connected government does the following: 1. Prepare the necessary technological infrastructure for a connected government 2. Ensure technology integration among government entities 3. Develop innovation in government services for individual and business needs.

Dubai eGovernment is making confident and strategic steps towards its goal of a connected and collaborative government through electronic integration among Dubai government entities to ensure world class services to its constituents. It has adopted a holistic approach towards its Dubai eGovernment refers to Dubai Government’s use journey to be a connected government. of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Its connected government approach occurs at several provide government services to citizens, residents and levels among various stakeholders, both within and outside visitors (G2C), to businesses (G2B), to other government Dubai Government. More specifically, it entails establishing entities (G2G) and to government employees (G2E); using close relationships with its partners; namely its Government multiple channels, in line with its vision of easing the lives entities, its customers and suppliers, to be able to consolidate of people and businesses interacting with the Government. and align their assets and knowledge with the aim of The strategic importance of embodying the eGovernment delivering enhanced services to all customers. concept stems from its aim to reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading knowledge and economic hub. Sharjah eGovernment Dubai eGovernment Department operates in harmony and integration with all the departments and entities that Sharjah.ae come under the Government umbrella in Dubai. The Sharjah government launched its electronic portal to accomplishments made since the launch of the Dubai join the electronic transition across the nation. The portal eGovernment project in 2000 are the result of joint efforts by includes information and eServices for local agencies and all government departments. organizations. In light of the importance of reinforcing and

6 December 2012 - Issue 110 Fujairah eGovernment Fujairah.ae

supporting government services, the Sharjah eGovernment has embarked on harnessing the latest international technologies and experiments to this effect. It has sought to enhance government department infrastructure in order to enable customers’ access to those services whether they are official government organizations or businessmen and investors or private persons and visitors. To ensure the solid foundation of the eGovernment and The Fujairah e-government seeks to offer common the achievement of its objectives, the Sharjah eGovernment services that focus on customers in the fields of networking has evolved a comprehensive and long term strategy based and infrastructure development as well as information on the analysis of the current situation and identification of sharing. points of strength and weakness. It has also sought to forecast the future to meet the needs of different customers in such a way that money, time and efforts are saved. This would Ras Al Khaimah eGovernment eventually lead to enhancing economic competitiveness and Rak.ae improving investment climate to promote development in all fields of life.

Ajman eGovernment Ajman.ae The government of Ajman offers good opportunities for beneficiaries to make use of government services extended to individuals and organizations. The aim is to ensure that those services meet the needs of the public through excellence. This would render government services more flexible and smoother than ever before through a one- stop shop model. The Ajman eGovernment has opened communication channels with business people, banks, educational institutions and individuals.

To make eServices for computers and mobile phones, the RAK eGovernment was launched as the second eGovernment in the UAE after Dubai. It seeks to achieve the vision of its founder His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qassemi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras al Khaimah to achieve the concept of the eNation. The RAK Portal includes a virtual government complex of different government bodies. It also offers a wide range of eServices for the public. It also offers a full application of GPS for the emirate in order to enhance opportunities of information access by business people and investors who have been attracted to the emirate in the fields of industry and real estate development. •

December 2012 - Issue 110 7 Festivals

Under the guidance of Hamdan Bin Mohammed 11 days of joy and jubilation

Union Festival wows the world at Global Village

Global Village, Dubai’s most exciting and unique annual tourism and cultural destination, hosted the 11-day Union Festival at Global Village. The Union Festival was held to coincide with the celebrations to mark the 41st UAE National Day.

The Union Festival, held between November 22 and December 2, 2012, showcased the forward march of UAE, its history and encompassed a large number of folk shows, cultural activities and entertainment in addition to specially designed events to highlight UAE’s culture and customs. The Festival provided insights into the heritage of the UAE, interpreting the true values of the Union. “Choosing Global Village as a destination to celebrate the Union Festival was indeed an achievement activities included Emirati troupe and Global Village also hosted a number and we took immense pride to host dances such as Youla, Ayala, Liwa and of famous Emirati singers for live the festivities. Through this cultural in addition to the Ukraine Fire Show. concerts, including Mohammed Al and entertainment theme-park which Other traditional folk shows included Mazroui, Hazza, Fadhel Al Mazroui,, embraces countries from across the Emirati, Kuwaiti, Yemini and Algerian Arwa, , Ali Katheri and globe, we were able to raise our flag performances. Ali Al Naqbi. high and rejoice as a nation,”, said The UAE pavilion also hosted special During the Union Festival, Global Global Village CEO Saeed Ali Bin events in celebration of the Union Village was decorated with UAE flags Redha. Festival from November 28 to December and special light effects, with traditional The Union Festival schedule was 2. The pavilion also ran heritage based tents, Arabian coffee and dates adding divided between folk shows, contests contests and Yala competitions on the to the authentic feel. School children and shows within participant pavilions, Maidan Stage, besides presenting an also participated in the Union Festival, the various performance stage at Global evening of poetry involving famous distributing National Day giveaways to Village as well as street shows. The Emirati poets. visitors at Global Village. •

8 December 2012 - Issue 110 eMonitor

Vessel Schedules eService Ministry of Environment and from Dubai Trade Water launches uniontree.ae website

An innovative service from Dubai Trade puts the sailing schedules of major shipping lines at the fingertips of the export community. Dubai Trade, the premier cross-border trade facilitator under Dubai World, has developed an innovative eService which provides the exporting community with real-time information on commercial vessel sailings from port in Dubai to major seaports around the world. “The Vessel Schedules eService”, which was launched recently on the Dubai Trade Portal (www.dubaitrade.ae), offers valuable vessel sailing information from a single reference point. The key feature of this service is that it makes searching for the right vessel as easy as searching for an airline schedule. Users need only to enter the destination port and the expected departure date to search for sailings. This will help them to better plan their operations and choose the most convenient dates, routes and vessels for their shipments and make the relevant bookings well in advance. These schedules are updated on daily basis by shipping lines or their local agents. The service is also integrated with DP World system to display rotation number and operation type for vessels with confirmed berth bookings in Jebel Ali. “The Vessel Schedules” system was developed by Dubai Trade team based on needs and suggestions from exporters, freight forwarders and global shipping lines. The eService currently provides sailing schedules of major shipping lines from Jebel Ali to more than 700 destination ports. The Ministry of Environment and Water has announced Commenting on the new service, HE Jamal Majid Bin the launch of its website to commemorate the initiative Thaniah, Chairman, Dubai Trade, said: “The Vessel Schedules of the union tree declared by His Highness Sheikh service is a clear example of how Dubai Trade’s pursuit of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime innovation can lead to practical solutions that enhance the Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The Ministry has become one operational efficiency of the trading community in the UAE, of the contributors to the union tree initiative. supporting Dubai’s leading position in international trade, in His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad bin Fahd, Minister particular, and UAE’s economy, in general. At Dubai Trade, of Environment and Water said “the launch of the website innovation is fundamentally part of the way we work. We see comes within the Ministry’s efforts to support this important it as a tool we use every day for problem solving and adding initiative which has won the respect and pride of all UAE value to our customers.” citizens across the country. The initiative represents an Eng. Mahmood Al Bastaki, CEO, Dubai Trade, added: “Up opportunity for the UAE citizens to express their genuine to now, traders and forwarders in the UAE had to individually feelings on the National Day occasion towards their seek schedules of departures from each shipping line or homeland and to assert their loyalty to the wise leadership its local agent. Now, with this service all schedules, along headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al with other required information, such as vessel details, Nahyan, the UAE President. They also express their transit days and transhipment information, are combined in commitment to safeguarding the UAE environment and one source and made available in real time for our portal to participating in national efforts to achieve sustainable users. At a glance, they can compare the various schedules development as represented by the UAE 2021 Vision.” of different shipping lines and choose the fastest or most The website includes details about the union tree convenient option for them or their clients, thus saving time, initiative and its goals and functions, in addition to cost and increasing their operational efficiency.” information about agriculture.

December 2012 - Issue 110 9 Smart Buildings

Mygov.ae..

the federal portal • Award and encourage innovations in order to improve the services provided by the federal government and accordingly improve customer satisfaction for customer Registration process Following are the steps for using “MYGOV”: 1. If you are a new user, register in MYGOV.AE feedback and 2. Once you complete the registration process, you will receive an email notification or SMS with your new user name and password as per your preferred way of suggestions contact 3. You will use your username and password to login to MYGOV In pursuit of the UAE’s federal government for 4. Once you are logged on, you will be able to suggest, make a remark, or make a compliment by clicking on the excellence in providing its services in a way that ‘click here’ button. can achieve customer satisfaction and exceed their 5. Once you put your feedback, you will receive an email or expectations, a federal feedback gateway called mygov. an SMS notification with your case number. You can use ae was launched two years ago initially with 5 federal your case number for further follow-up in the future either entities. using the website or any other channel of communications with the entities. This gateway opens channels of communication with the customers and identify their needs, and works to simplify procedures and develop services, and in order to encourage Partners and implement customer suggestions and the creativity Mygov.ae was launched two years ago with the participation of five government agencies, but today it includes most of the federal government staff. The gateway has been federal government agencies. These include: set-up in accordance with global and local best practices to become an effective means for achieving the strategic Ministries: objectives of the federal government by receiving remarks Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry and suggestions, processing them and benefiting from them of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry in improving the services of the federal government. of Economy, Ministry Of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Ministry Of State For Federal National Council Affairs, Ministry Of Environment and Water, Ministry of The objectives Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry Of Energy, The federal feedback gateway provides the framework Ministry Of Culture,Youth & Community Development, for a unified and consolidated administrative work needed to Ministry Of Education, Ministry of Foreign Trade, Ministry Of deal with customer remarks and suggestions effectively and Finance efficiently and benefit from them in the improvement of the federal government services, in addition to raising the level Entities & Authorities of customer satisfaction about the federal government and National Transport Authority, Federal Electricity and Water for the fulfillment of the federal government’s vision to be one Authority, Insurance Authority of the best governments in the world. The system aims to: Emirates Post Group Holding, Federal Authority for Nuclear • Opening channels of communication with all customers, in Regulation, Telecommunications Regulatory authority, UAE Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid, Emirates General addition to determining their needs and expectations Transport and Services Corporation ( Emirates Transport), • Focus on improving the federal government services National Bureau of Statistics through the application of global best practices Marriage Fund, Emirates Identity Authority, Federal • Improve government efficiency Customs Authority, Institute of Training & Judicial • Raising awareness of customer service excellence Studies, Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, Zakat Fund, culture Central Bank of the UAE,The National Human Resource • Development of human resource skills in innovation and Development & Employment Authority, General Authority excellence of islamic Affairs & Endowments, General Civil Aviation • Encourage a spirit of partnership and cooperation in Authority, General Authority Of Youth & Sports Welfare, finding positive solutions to the challenges faced by the Securities and Commodities Authority, Emirates Authority for customers standardization metrology. •

10 December 2012 - Issue 110 Smart Buildings

provides mechanisms for statistical data analysis relating to different sources that are regularly updated. 2. Dubai Info which offers an integrated system for a data base that houses indicators and geographical regions regulated to monitor plans and projects as well as national New look for and international aspirations relating to sustainable human development. 3. The eSuggestions system which is managed through Dubai Statistics the customer service system with the aim of enhancing customer services. Center portal Infographics Activedsc.gov.ae population during the daytime with 2012 Population by gender mid 2012 mobile services

The Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) has launched its electronic website www.dsc.gov.ae with a new look as part of its efforts to enhance and improve Dubai’s electronic presence. The website has been designed according to the Website Excellence Model from Dubai eGovernment as a point of reference for all websites of government organizations. In its search for development and innovation in displaying statistical data, the DSC uses graphics and infographics DemographicPopulation byClock education status 2011 * in its new website.Population Those by infographics marital status are 2011 considered * One of the features of the website is the Demographic important tools for concerting data and statistical information Clock which displays Dubai population estimates on an into visual forms with powerful communication effects. An ongoing basis. Website visitors may get a view of the example is the interactive map developed by the center on its Emirate’s population size at any point of history since 1976. website where users are able to search for data about local The center also makes daily and monthly estimates of populations according to zoned and geographical areas. Dubai’s population within the geographical boundaries of Some of the statistics is transformed into graphs like the the Emirate and they include citizens and expatriates. The mosque statistics in Dubai. center draws on numerous sources to calculate the changing size of the population like surveys and censuses as well as government data bases by using internationally accredited Smart Mobile Statistics The Center has launched a smart electronic statistical methods in this field. system via mobile phones. The system shows the latest reports and statistical data on phones that use Android or eServices IOS operating systems. The service enables users to keep The DSC offers numerous eServices through displaying abreast of the center’s reports and data. In addition, the all statistical data and information relating to Dubai Emirate. center offers a special service for Blackberry users which Those statistics are highly important for planning and decision enables them to show e-statistical services like the electronic making by government leaders and business communities in statistical system and Dubai statistical indicators, considered addition to academic researchers and scientists. as one of the best in electronic statistical services* Source: launched Labour force survey 2011 The Center also offers demographic, social and economic by the center last April. statistics about Dubai Emirate which are generated from census and field surveys according to international standards. It also offers a data of statistical indicators that flow into the eLibrary The DSC offers the eLibrary which is considered a data bases on a regular basis. comprehensive statistical encyclopedia on Dubai with releases dating back to 2005. Due to the advanced systems The eServices offered by the Center include: used by the center in statistical analysis and display, the 1. The electronic statistical system which is an important eLibrary includes data for 2012 which is considered as an DSC initiative that seeks to enhance statistical activities in important resource for researchers interested in knowing Dubai using the most advanced technologies. The system more about Dubai. •

December 2012 - Issue 110 11 Doing Business

Doing Business in the UAE – 2013 A review of the World Bank Report

Doing Business in the UAE – 2013 The “Doing Business” report released by the World Bank is considered as a core economic reference by businesses when selecting countries to invest or expand their trade activities. Doing Business 2013 investigates the procedures of doing business in Dubai as a model for the entire UAE business environment. These procedures were reviewed, re-structured and automated by the eGovernment, as part of its efforts to realize its leaders’ vision to ease the lives of people and create bigger opportunities to develop the business sector and attract world-class companies. To what extent has the eGovernment succeeded in Getting electricity ramping up the business environment in the emirate? Here Listed below are the procedures, time and cost required for are some of the main statistics from the World Bank Report a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly comparing UAE, Middle East region and OECD countries. constructed building. Indicator UAE Region OECD Starting a business Procedures (number) 4 5 5 The challenges of launching a business are shown below. Time (days) 40 84 98 Included are: the number of steps entrepreneurs can expect to go through to launch, the time it takes on average, and the Cost (% of income per capita) 19.3 1,147.1 93.0 cost and minimum capital required as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) per capita. Registering property Indicator UAE Region OECD The ease with which businesses can secure rights to Procedures (number) 6 8 5 property is shown below. Included are the number of steps, Time (days) 8 23 12 time and cost involved in registering property. Cost (% of income per capita) 6.0 29.8 4.5 Indicator UAE Region OECD Paid-in Min. Capital (% of Procedures (number) 2 6 5 0.0 72.3 13.3 income per capita) Time (days) 10 33 26 Cost (% of property value) 2.3 5.9 4.5 Dealing with construction permits Shown below are the procedures, time and costs to build Getting credit a warehouse, including obtaining necessary licenses and Measures on credit information sharing and the legal permits, completing required notifications and inspections, rights of borrowers and lenders are shown below. The Legal and obtaining utility connections. Rights Index ranges from 0-10, with higher scores indicating Indicator UAE Region OECD that those laws are better designed to expand access to Procedures (number) 14 17 14 credit. The Credit Information Index measures the scope, access and quality of credit information available through Time (days) 46 151 143 public registries or private bureaus. It ranges from 0-6, Cost (% of income per with higher values indicating that more credit information is 9.2 305.2 78.7 capita) available from a public registry or private bureau.

12 December 2012 - Issue 110 Indicator UAE Region OECD Strength of legal rights index 4 3 7 Depth of credit information 5 4 5 Public registry coverage 5.9 8.6 10.2 (% of adults) Private bureau coverage 31.7 9.7 67.4 (% of adults)

Protecting investors The indicators below describe three dimensions of investor protection: transparency of transactions (Extent of Disclosure Index), liability for self-dealing (Extent of Director Liability Index), shareholders’ ability to sue officers and directors for Enforcing contracts misconduct (Ease of Shareholder Suits Index) and Strength The ease or difficulty of enforcing commercial contracts is of Investor Protection Index. The indexes vary between 0 measured below. and 10, with higher values indicating greater disclosure, Indicator UAE Region OECD greater liability of directors, greater powers of shareholders Time (days) 524 652 510 to challenge the transaction, and better investor protection. Cost (% of claim) 19.5 23.9 20.1 Indicator UAE Region OECD Procedures (number) 49 44 31 Extent of disclosure 4 6 6 Extent of director liability 7 5 5 Resolving Insolvency Ease of shareholder suits 2 4 7 The time and cost required to resolve bankruptcies is Strength of investor protection 4.3 5.0 6.1 shown below. The recovery rate, expressed in terms of how many cents on the dollar claimants recover from the insolvent firm, is also shown. Paying taxes Indicator UAE Region OECD The data below shows the tax that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year. Time (years) 3.2 3.4 1.7 Cost (% of estate) 20 13 9 Indicator UAE Region OECD Recovery rate (cents on the Payments (number per year) 4 19 12 29.4 33.7 70.6 dollar) Time (hours per year) 12 184 176 Profit tax (%) 0.0 11.9 15.2 Labor tax and contributions (%) 14.1 16.5 23.8 From 2012 to 2013 Other taxes (%) 0.8 3.9 3.7 United Arab Emirates Region: Middle East & North Africa Total tax rate (% profit) 14.9 32.3 42.7 Income category: High income Population: 7,890,924 Trading across borders GNI per capita (US$): 40,760 The costs and procedures involved in importing and Ease of... 2013 2012 Change exporting a standardized shipment of goods are detailed Starting a Business 22 46 +24 under this topic. Every official procedure involved is recorded Dealing with Construction - starting from the final contractual agreement between the 13 14 +1 two parties, and ending with the delivery of the goods. Permits Getting Electricity 7 10 +3 Indicator UAE Region OECD Documents to export 4 6 4 Registering Property 12 12 0 Time to export (days) 7 19 10 Getting Credit 83 80 -3 Cost to export (US$ per 630 1,083 1,028 Protecting Investors 128 124 -4 container) Paying Taxes 1 7 +6 Documents to import 5 8 5 (number) Trading Across Borders 5 5 0 Time to import (days) 7 22 10 Enforcing Contracts 104 108 +4 Cost to import (US$ per 590 1,275 1,080 container) Resolving Insolvency 101 105 +4

December 2012 - Issue 110 13 ﺣﻘﻮﻕ ﺍﻟﻨﺴﺦ 2011 eStandards ﻟﺪﺍﺋﺮﺓ ﺣﻜﻮﻣﺔ ﺩﺑﻲ ﺍﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭﻧﻴﺔ، ﺟﻤﻴﻊ ﺍﳊﻘﻮﻕ ﻣﺤﻔﻮﻇﺔ ﻧـﻤـﻮﺫﺝ ﺍﻟﺘﻤﻴـﺰ ﻟﻠﻤﻮﺍﻗـﻊ ﺍﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭﻧﻴﺔ ﺍﻟـﺤﻜـﻮﻣﻴـﺔ

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The Government Websites Excellence Model Guidelines for Dubai Government Websites

Since Dubai eGovernment was Content is the king Guideline: Provide Correct Grammar the first eTransformation initiative The content available on a website and Spellings in the region, the Policy, Advisory is a very crucial element in ensuring A quality website should have and Knowledge Services set the the success of website in meeting minimum or no grammar or spelling standards for providing eServices users’ needs and expectations. The errors to gain users’ trust. A website to customers. A typical example of content needs to be alive, current, with lots of errors can easily lose users’ this is the Government Websites accurate, relevant and easy to read trust and confidence. It is important for Excellence Model (GWEM), which for users in order to have a reason to the government entities to: creates the standards and policies return to the site again. Though the • Ensure that all the spelings and for government websites in Dubai. In control of content on a website is left grammar on the website are this article, e4all reproduces the most to the respective government entity correct. important parts of GWEM so that to decide in line with their objectives, • Ensure that each page has the readers beyond government circles below are some guidelines that same exact translation for bilingual can benefit from eTransformation government entities should follow to websites. policies. In this issue we will cover ensure common, structured and proper the last part of the “Content” content on their websites: Guideline: Provide Appropriate guidelines. and Well-Designed Online Advertisements Government entities may include some advertisement on their websites to promote their services or other entities’ services or to generate funds. Government entities advertisements available on their websites should be government-related and should not affect the government entity branding.•

14 December 2012 - Issue 110 eHeritage

Nations with a rich heritage find it easier is retained by our innovative leaders, to advance. One such nation is the UAE, even in the eTransformation process, with which has served as a model for other some eServices having names that are countries in the region, due to its success linked to the past. and prosperity, as well as its heritage, This page will list a number of services value and culture. The link with the past that carry traditional names or origins.

Suheil Program at Dubai Courts

What is the service? Meaning of “Suheil” Cause of the designation The program seeks to encourage Suheil is the name of a shining The Suheil star represents the staff at Dubai courts to engage in star in the sky. It is considered one a point of guidance and that voluntary work that serves the Court’s of the most important stars that Arabs represented one of its significant customers through signing up as and others used for navigation in values for the program. The volunteers to offer this service, which the Arabian peninsula area. It has a Dubai Courts staff and employees runs for two hours a day during peak special importance since the ancient hours in the central services hall. times, where in Egypt, sailors used it use it to guide their clients to The number of volunteers has to find their way as they were sailing locations that enable them to increased to 125, among them 6 heads to the lighthouse in Alexandria. It is complete their transactions and of management and 21 supervisors considered the second largest star that help them follow the next steps. and 98 employees. is visible to humans after the Shaaro al Those staff/volunteers serve as The Suheil program has been Yamani star. the stars that Arabs used as a improved in its second session for guide in the ancient times. the year 2012 with the introduction The Suheil program, which of technology including use of iPads started in 2010, continues for which includes electronic maps for the entire departments and halls at the the third year in a row, after Dubai Courts. In addition to all services it achieved a great success in offered by Dubai Courts for customers, raising the rate of customer the project team seeks to help them satisfaction. save time and effort to search for their destination. It also aims to improve the tools used by the volunteers to provide the best services.

December 2012 - Issue 110 15 eServices Wizard

Browse selected sections of Dubai.ae in multiple languages

Selected sections of Dubai. ae can also be viewed in other languages other than Arabic and English. The new languages include 1 German, Russian, Hindi, Tagalog, French and Chinese Select the flag of the nation to choose the language then click on the relevant section for browsing in that language. The following sections are available in six languages: 2

1- information about Dubai eGovernment 2- Information about Dubai 3. Government entities

The page appears in preferred language 3 and you may select the language from the list.

16 December 2012 - Issue 110