Media Center

Based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the UAE Cabinet chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved Eid Al Fitr holiday for Ministries and Federal entities, starting from 28 of Ramadan 1437 Hijri year, corresponding to Sunday, July 3, with work resuming on Sunday, July 10, 2016.

The Cabinet meeting this evening at the Presidential Palace was held in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Cabinet also approved an adjustment to the working days of the administrative and educational bodies for the year 2015-2016, adopted by Resolution No. (57/2-20) for the year 2015 on the Academic Calendar for the coming three years, marking the end of the year 2015-16 for administrative and educational bodies of public and private educational institutions under the Ministry of Education. Accordingly, the last working day for this year will be June 30, 2016.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to give priority for citizens who have completed the UAE national service in the recruitment and promotion process of ministries and federal entities, in recognition of their efforts to serve the nation.

In terms of government policies, the Cabinet approved the unified medical licensing standards for doctors and healthcare professionals at the national level. The standards include procedures for establishing partnerships between the Ministry of Health & Prevention and local healthcare entities in the UAE healthcare sector which helps attracting medical talents, facilitating their mobility, and sharing expertise, in addition to unifying licensing procedures of various medical specializations.

In legislative affairs, the Cabinet approved a proposal to issue a Federal law amending some provisions of the Penal Code, issued earlier under Federal Law No. (3) for the year 1987, and a federal law amending some provisions of the Federal Law No. (14) for the year 1995 on combatting the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in line with the country’s vision to achieve a safe community, and contribute towards the efforts to enhance effective judicial process in line with the standards of developed countries in the field.

In regulatory affairs, the Cabinet approved a new structure of the UAE University’s board, headed by H.E Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University, and also the cabinet has been also appointed as mr mohamed albelli as Director General of the University.

The Cabinet also approved the restructure of the EITHAD Railway Company’s board of directors, headed by H.E Engineer Owaida Murshid Ali Al Marar, The Cabinet approved a unified final accounts for the financial year of federal government ended 31/12/2015.

In international relations, the Cabinet endorsed and signed a number of agreements, including eight agreements on the exchange of information in tax matters with the governments of the Finland, Argentina, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Colombia, and Iceland. The Cabinet also approved agreements between the UAE government and the government of Jordan on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion with respect to income tax. An agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation on the opening of a branch of the corporation in Dubai was also approved.

The Cabinet approved agreements between the UAE government and the government of Mauritius on the mutual exemptions on entry for holders of diplomatic and special passports and visas, and an agreement with the government of Poland on cooperation in the tourism sector. It also endorsed an agreement with the government of Latvia on economic cooperation, and another agreement with Italy in the fields of culture, arts and heritage.

The approvals also included the ratification of the agreement between the government of the UAE and the Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States on the benefits of the Arabic Language Educational Center for Gulf States, and an agreement with Azerbaijan on the institutional cooperation in maritime transport.

The Cabinet endorsed the Protocol to amend the Convention on Offences and Certain other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Montreal 2014), and an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan on mutual allocation of land between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Astana to construct buildings for diplomatic representative missions. It also approved an agreement between the UAE government and the government of Lithuania on economic and technical cooperation. The agreements came as part of the UAE’s keen efforts to strengthen its international standing and support friendly relations with the countries around the world.