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The Ministerial Development Council held a meeting on Sunday morning (November 6, 2016) at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi to discuss, among other topics, several federal laws and economic topics that stand to bolster the legislative infrastructure of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

During the meeting, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the council discussed drafting of a federal law amending some provisions of Federal Law No. 37 of 1992 regarding brands, which stands to improve coordination and integration between the GCC countries, in light the global trends towards globalisation and economic blocs. The measure also follows directives from GCC leaders to unify regulations and legislation, seeing as the new law includes all trademark registration procedures, empowers commerce, and protects trademarks in all GCC countries.

This law is set to reflect positively on the UAE economy by improving the country’s competitiveness and encouraging entrepreneurship among those eligible to register trademarks in all GCC countries. Entrepreneurs will be authorised to conduct their business – be it commercial, industrial, handicraft, corporate, or services. The law extends to foreigners as well, provided they hail from a country that has taken part in a multilateral agreement where one or more GCC countries are a member.

Furthermore, the council discussed drafting of a federal law amending some provisions of Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 concerning consumer protection, which helps achieve economic and commercial integration between GCC countries, by setting up an integrated legislative system that supports the rights of consumers and protects their interests. The law provides protection for consumers in GCC countries by implementing legislations that stand to create a healthy environment for consumers, and ensure quality standards of goods and services. The law became necessary in light of the significant growth witnessed in Gulf Cooperation Council markets, coupled with higher standards of living.

In addition, the meeting saw the council discuss drafting a federal law amending Federal Law No. 11 of 1992 concerning civil procedures, and reviewed a proposal to form a committee that would conduct a study and a draft law for insurance against unemployment, which aims to promote Emiratisation in the UAE by encouraging citizens to enter the labour market and, consequently, benefit from this law.

In government reports, the council reviewed a number of reports including the State Audit Institution’s (SAI) report regarding the final accounts of Etihad Rail for financial years 2014 and 2015, and the final accounts of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation for financial years 2014 and 2015, as well as the final accounts of the National Exhibitions and Conferences Committee of the United Arab Emirates (NECC) for financial years 2014 and 2015. Moreover, the Council reviewed the final accounts for the Emirates Red Crescent for financial year 2015, as well as the final accounts of the Real Estate Corporation for the financial year 2015, among a number of additional topics on the Council’s agenda.