Latest news with #DepartmentOfEconomicDevelopment
Khaleej Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Some shoppers charged higher at checkout; RAK authority issues warning
Some shoppers in Ras Al Khaimah have reported being charged higher prices at the cashier than what was displayed on store shelves, prompting the Department of Economic Development to issue warnings and take action against offending retailers. 'For example, a product displayed for Dh10 might scan at Dh11.50. Once a consumer submits the complaint, we investigate and contact the store. In some cases, we issue fines according to the law,' Nasra Mohamed Almerri, an officer in the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection division, told Khaleej Times. These complaints highlight the importance of the department's consumer awareness campaigns, which aim to ensure shoppers know their rights. Almerri encouraged residents to check prices carefully, keep receipts especially for products under warranty, and verify that items are within their expiration dates. As part of its efforts to raise consumer awareness, the Department of Economic Development launched the 'Happy Shopper' campaign to promote responsible shopping habits in Ras Al Khaimah. The initiative ran over two weeks and involved students from local summer activity centres, including those affiliated with the Ras Al Khaimah Youth Centre and the Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre. The campaign took place across two locations, Karama Market and Al Khaleej Market in Ras Al Khaimah, where students participated in activities aimed at educating shoppers about their rights, the importance of checking prices, and keeping receipts. Check product prices Children were educated on the importance of checking product prices to ensure they match the cashier and keeping receipts to protect their rights in case of returns or exchanges. During the campaign, students observed shoppers at checkout counters and guided them to verify prices before and after payment. Stores rewarded vigilant shoppers who double-checked their purchases with small gifts. Fahad Ahmed, an 11-year-old participant, said he learned to check product expiration dates, understand quality indicators, and always take a receipt. 'I now know that the date and quality of the product are important. I also learned to take the receipt so that no one can trick me, and I can return the item if needed,' he said. Fahad also gained hands-on experience comparing prices and assessing product value during his visit to the drinks and snacks sections. The campaign was organised in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Police General Command, represented by the Community Protection Department, and the Environment Protection and Development Authority, highlighting a collaborative effort to foster safer and more responsible consumer behavior. Environmental awareness Fatima Taleb, from the Environment Protection and Development Authority's Awareness Department, explained that shoppers are encouraged to also check expiry dates, keep their receipts, and use reusable bags instead of single-use plastic. 'Our role is to monitor whether shoppers bring their multi-use bags and avoid buying single-use plastic products, in line with the emirate's vision to become completely free of plastic,' she said. The DED carries out inspections and runs awareness initiatives, both in-store and online, to inform the public. Al Marri emphasised the importance of consumers feeling secure when shopping, encouraging them to reach out if they encounter any problems with products, receipts, or pricing. She also noted that while some consumers stick to essential purchases, many are influenced by promotional offers to buy more than they need. The economic department hopes its campaigns will not only protect shoppers from overcharging but also encourage smarter, more intentional spending.
Arabian Business
19-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Ras Al Khaimah sees 17.6 per cent surge in new business licences in H1 2025, led by industrial sector boom
Ras Al Khaimah' s economy continues to gain momentum in 2025, with the Department of Economic Development (DED) reporting a 17.6 per cent increase in new business licences issued during the first half of the year. A total of 1,219 licences were issued from January to June, up from 1,037 in the same period last year. The sharpest rise came from the industrial sector, which saw a remarkable 111 per cent increase in new licences, underscoring Ras Al Khaimah's growing appeal as a manufacturing and industrial hub. Ras Al Khaimah business licences Professional licences grew by 20 per cent, and commercial licences by 12.6 per cent. Amina Qahtan, Director of the Commercial Affairs Department at the Department of Economic Development, affirmed that the positive results reflect the emirate's dynamic and growing economic trajectory. She attributed this growth to the wise leadership's directives aimed at fostering a more flexible economy, supported by a range of incentives and facilitative measures that ease doing business and attract investors. Ras Al Khaimah economic highlights Wholesale and retail trade: 44.4 per cent of new licences Construction: 18 per cent Accommodation and food services: 13.2 per cent Manufacturing: 11.1 per cent Other services: 8.6 per cent The total registered capital for new businesses increased by 7.5 per cent in H1 2025. Notably, the capital of industrial licences surged by more than 7.6 times compared to the same period in 2024. Professional licences also saw a capital increase of 24.7 per cent. Al Jazirah Al Hamra led in attracting new capital, accounting for nearly one-third of all new investments. Al Dhait and Al Ghail followed, with 13 per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively. Geographically, Al Dhait area recorded the highest share of new licences, accounting for 8.7 percent of the total, followed by Al Nakheel with 8.4 percent, and both Al Qusaidat and Julphar with 7.7 percent. In terms of the ratio of new licences to active licences within each area, Khalifa bin Zayed City ranked first with 18.9 percent, followed by Dahan at 13.4 percent, and Al Ghail at 9.1 percent. These figures suggest a broadening distribution of economic activity across Ras Al Khaimah's districts, reflecting both grassroots growth and targeted investment strategies.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kearney gets Nebraska's final ‘good life district' designation, eyes development around SportsPlex
The good life district designation in Kearney is to be located on 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the city's SportsPlex facility, shown here. The district is to include retail, restaurant, and destination attractions led by a private developer. The SportsPlex is a complex offering 209,000 square feet of indoor, multi-use athletic amenities. (Courtesy of the City of Kearney) LINCOLN — Nebraska's fifth and final 'good life district' designation goes to the City of Kearney, city leaders announced on Monday. Kearney joins four other geographical areas designated as good life districts by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in or around the cities of Omaha, Gretna, Bellevue and Grand Island. Applicants from Kearney and Papillion had been competing for the fifth and final designation allowed under the Good Life Transformational Projects Act of 2023. Such districts were established under the law, which has been revised in the past two regular legislative sessions, as a tool to help create unique tourist-oriented campuses expected to generate jobs and economic activity. Under the law, the state gives up half of the state sales tax generated within the boundaries of a good life district for up to 30 years, and that revenue is steered toward eligible costs of developing the district. Leveraging those state sales dollars would allow the community to attract 'large-scale development projects' that will boost economic activity and enhance Kearney, the city's statement said. Such districts in the long run are expected to be a boon to the state in the form of increased tax revenue, tourism dollars and growth. Kearney voters will be asked for approval. According to the city website, the City Council is to schedule an election to ask Kearney voters to authorize a good life district economic development program. If approved, that program shapes how the district functions. The statement did not identify or describe a specific 'large-scale development' project. But it said the Kearney Good Life District would cover 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the city's SportsPlex and is to include retail, restaurant and destination attractions led by a private developer. 'Kearney has long been a hub of progress and opportunity, and receiving this final good life district designation reinforces our community's role as a leader in Nebraska's future,' Mayor Jonathan Nikkila said. 'We look forward to leveraging these resources to drive growth, create jobs and enhance the vibrant quality of life that makes Kearney unique.' The city website says the designation should accelerate development around Interstate 80 and the SportsPlex and increase visits to Kearney. City leaders said they would work with state officials and local business leaders to ensure the benefits extend to all residents and contribute to the prosperity of Kearney and Nebraska. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The National
09-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi's manufacturing sector contributed 53% to UAE's industrial economy in 2024
Abu Dhabi's manufacturing sector contributed 53 per cent to the country's industrial economy, which rose by 6.6 per cent to Dh210 billion ($57.2 billion), last year as the emirate seeks to double down on economic diversification, senior government officials said during the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Tokyo on Friday. The sector accounted for 51.3 per cent of the UAE's industrial sector in 2023 and 46 per cent in 2022. The UAE capital city's manufacturing industry was also the largest non-oil contributor to the emirate's gross domestic product last year, accounting for 9.5 per cent of total GDP and 17.3 per cent of non-oil GDP, said Rashed Al Blooshi, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. The Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) was launched in 2022 to boost the contribution of the sector to the overall economy. It aims to double the size of the manufacturing sector to Dh172 billion, create 13,600 skilled jobs, and increase the emirate's non-oil exports to Dh178.8 billion by 2031. Under the strategy, the government is investing Dh10 billion across six industrial programmes to achieve these goals. This will be done by increasing access to financing, further improving the ease of doing business and attracting foreign direct investment. 'A key component of our Falcon Economy, ADIS is strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as the region's most competitive industrial hub. It is guiding the manufacturing sector's transition to Industry 4.0,' Mr Al Blooshi said. In 2021, the UAE unveiled its 'Operation 300bn' industrial strategy to position it as a global industrial centre by 2031. The 10-year road map focuses on increasing the industrial sector's contribution to the country's GDP to Dh300 billion by 2031, from Dh133 billion in 2021. Abu Dhabi's industrial GDP grew 23 per cent to Dh111.6 billion last year from Dh90.8 billion in 2022, the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum was told. Participating in a panel discussion with Rashed Al Mansoori, director general of Abu Dhabi Customs, and Fatima Al Hammadi, chief commercial officer of Kezad Group, Mr Al Blooshi highlighted Abu Dhabi initiatives to accelerate the emirate's transition towards a diversified and sustainable economy. The discussion presented how Abu Dhabi is enabling investors, businesses and start-ups to expand globally. The event in Tokyo brought together top chief executives, business leaders and investors to explore strategic partnerships and investment opportunities with Abu Dhabi.
