DUBAI 3 May 2017: Dubai’s Committee for Building Permit Procedures Development said that it has made significant progress in achieving its objectives of speeding up investor procedures and enhancing the investment environment.
Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality of Engineering and Planning, and Head of the Committee Daoud AbdulRahman Al Hajri said that in less than two months since its creation, the committee has simplified the procedure for obtaining a building permit to just five steps, which is in line with international standards.
Al Hajri praised the efficient collaboration between all the government parties represented in the Committee, saying they showed a clear understanding and flexibility in reviewing their part of the process, without compromising the all-important aspect of safety. He also said that the Committee conducted a series of constructive meetings with all key parties in the construction sector in Dubai including developers, contractors, engineering offices and consultants.
One Stop Shop
He also said that the next phase will focus on developing a comprehensive electronic system that involves all the authorities in charge of the construction sector in Dubai, which will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ to receive all permit requests, and facilitate processing and approvals by all concerned authorities.
The head of the Committee also said that the system will allow investors, contractors and consultants to follow up on the status of their permit request. The concerned authorities are required to approve the request in a short period of time if all required documentation has been submitted. He also said that the system will be implemented in free zones and special development zones. He added that the electronic system will be supported by an app for smart phones. He also noted that the construction sector in Dubai saw the issuance of 11,000 building permits in 2016.
Meanwhile, Al Hajri said that the second phase of the Committee’s work will focus on unifying construction standards in Dubai through a unified list that is being currently developed. This will enable it to become one of the most unique set of building regulations not only regionally but also globally. The next phase will see the involvement of the private sector and real estate developers in the registration of new innovative building materials, and steps to ensure the highest benchmarks of safety and compliance with the highest levels of environmental and health regulations.
The Committee was formed in February 2017 when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Decision No. (3) of 2017 pertaining to the formation of Dubai’s Committee for Building Permit Procedures Development.
The Decision authorises the Committee to list, analyse, revise and develop procedures, unify the requirements and conditions, ease procedures by establishing a single window for the entire service and automate the building permits process. In its endeavour to enhance the service, the Committee may review international best practices in the field, establish and authorise specialised subcommittees and assign experts from outside the Committee.
The Decision also specifies the procedures for the Committee’s meetings, selection of its Vice Chairman and allocation of financial resources.
By Rajive Singh