Mohammed issues two Cabinet resolutions
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2012 regarding the Social Responsibility Fund and Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2012 regarding imposing levy on imported mobile phones.
Social Responsibility Fund
According to the Cabinet Resolution No. 19, the Social Responsibility Fund is attached to the Minister’s Office and provides financial and moral support to the Ministry’s developmental and social welfare projects in addition to vocational training programs to enhance beneficiaries’ chances in work market.
Pursuant to the Resolution, published in the Official Gazette state, the Fund is responsible for fundraising and financing the Ministry’s social development projects, drafting the internal fundraising regulations and concluding partnerships with charity and cooperative associations to provide financial and corporeal services to beneficiaries either temporary or permanent.
Additionally, the Fund organizes vocational training programs, in coordination with concerned public and private entities, to develop beneficiaries’ skills and competencies, launches projects and initiatives in the field of social development, attracts sponsors for the Ministry’s events and drafts the internal regulations related to the Ministry projects’ sponsorship.
The Fund’s revenues
The sources of Fund’s revenues are the conditional and unconditional donations from individuals or establishments, donations from charity organizations, Islamic banks’ Zakat, federal and local subsidization, revenues of the Fund’s investments and surplus from the Fund’s previous budgets. The Fund’s revenues are considered public funds and should be deposited in bank/banks to be defined by the Committee. The Minister may names and assigns the personnel delegated to operate the accounts.
The Fund’s fiscal year begins on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December, and the first fiscal year begins from the date of resolution and ends on the 31st of December of the following year.
The Fund is subject for auditing by the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Internal Auditor and in compliance with the Financial and Accounting Rules and Regulations. The Fund is exempted from all tax and fees and does not submit to the State Audit Institution.
This Resolution annuls cabinet resolution no. 20 of 2006, its amendments and any other decrees or directives that contradict or violate it.
Mobile Phone Levy
Article One of Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2012 describes the levy imposed on imported mobile phones. The levy called the “Green Dirham” with total value of Dh10 is imposed on every mobile imported with intentions to use it inside the UAE. This levy belongs to the Public Treasury. The Minister of Finance will issue the required regulatory procedures in coordination with the Minister of Environment and Water and any other concerned government entity. The Resolution is effective within sixty days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.