Judicial System
Like
many other judicial systems around the world, the UAE judicial
system is running fast to try to catch up with current developments
and technology. Due to lack of legislations and proper training,
the present-day judicial system is not able to deal with the
complex transactions involved, nor will it be able to prosecute
all the crimes that may be committed.
The
forthcoming Federal 'cyber crime' Law, mentioned above will
hopefully enable investigators and judges to make accurate
allegations and provide sufficient penalties to deter Internet
crimes. Also, computers have been installed in Dubai courts,
which will allow the immediate transcription of hearings,
and for the same to be made available to judges and lawyers
online.
In
2001, a number of UAE judges participated in training courses
on information technology-related crimes, as part of the
Judiciary's transition to the digital age. The judges were
given a comprehensive idea about the nature of IT crimes,
how hackers work, protection of data and how thefts are
committed online. In addition, they were trained on the
use of the Internet and computers, in accordance with their
working requirements.
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e-banking
& Financial Services
According
to the UAE Central Bank Law and regulations and circulars
that have been issued by the UAE Central Bank, it is not
possible to offer banking services or financial services
of any kind to residents and nationals of the UAE on a regular
basis in the UAE without the Central Bank's permission.
The Central Bank prohibits companies from operating in the
UAE or to contact UAE residents or nationals to offer them
banking services or investment services of any kind without
having obtained a license from the Central Bank. Therefore,
any unlicensed banking or financial services offered through
the Internet to UAE nationals or UAE residents would be
in violation of the UAE Law and regulations.
However,
there is nothing in the UAE law that prohibits UAE nationals
from transferring money outside the UAE or to seek advice
from financial consultants outside the UAE, or if financial
institutions abroad start offering their services and contacting
UAE residents and UAE nationals in the UAE without the Central
Bank's permission. The same is true with regard to insurance
and other regulated structured industries in the UAE.
Many
believe that online banking will become a norm in the Arab
World in the next three to six years. Growth of e-banking
among Internet users in the UAE is faster than that of the
United States, according to a division of The Economist
Intelligence Unit. A number of local and international banks
offer online banking services in the UAE, and many others
are said to be finalizing plans to do so.
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Dubai
Internet City / Dubai Media City
Dubai
Internet City (DIC), is an entity situated inside the Dubai
Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Authority Free
Zone along with Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Idea's
Oasis. It was established by the Dubai Technology, Electronic
Commerce and Media Free Zone Law No. (1) of 2000 (the "Law"),
containing 30 Articles for the setting up of DIC and the
Free Zone Authority. It is financially and administratively
independent and unrestricted by Dubai's labour or tax laws.
The Authority will oversee the establishment of the necessary
infrastructure of the zone, and license the companies wishing
to set up there, and lease land and property to these companies
for a period of up to 50 years. The Authority will also
run the zone and levy fees for services it provides to the
clients.
DIC
represents the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Defense Minister
of the UAE, and is the world's first free trade zone for
e-business. According to the statement found at: www.dubaiinternetcity.com,
"the mission of Dubai Internet City is to simply create
an infrastructure, environment & attitude for the New
Economy Enterprises that will enable them to operate locally,
regionally & globally out of Dubai with significant
competitive advantages".
The
main aim of Dubai Internet City is to create a clustered
economy that composes all the software developers, multimedia
businesses, telecommunication companies, remote service
providers, logistic companies, venture capitalists, incubator
companies and educators in one place. It is also to be a
catalyst for these companies promoting their businesses
in the region. Foreign entities will be allowed in the zone,
to carry out such business and activities as provided in
Article (10) of the Law. These are: 1.) The design, development,
use and maintenance of everything related to information
technology, 2.) Business of electronic commerce, 3.) Telecommunications
and media services, 4.) Provision of services through the
Internet or through any other medium including banking,
financial services, insurance, education, call centers,
marketing operations, information and recreation services,
5.) Integrated marketing and public relations services,
6.) Assembly and packaging of products manufactured within
or outside the free zone, 7.) Import, export and storage
of products, 8.) The development and manufacture of products,
9.) Warehousing, logistics, distribution and redistribution
services.
Companies
located within the DIC will be allowed unlimited access
to the Internet without any proxy server. The speed of service
is also superior, and companies will be allowed to conduct
voice transmissions over the Internet as well. Any international
links by DIC companies over the Internet are also allowed,
and there are no restrictions of any kind.
An
MOU was signed between DIC and Malaysia's Multimedia Development
Corp (MDC), which manages the famed Multimedia Super Corridor
in the presence of Dr. Mahathir A. Mohammed, Malaysian Prime
Minister. Under the MOU, the DIC and MDC are to identify
projects for joint initiative or between third parties identified
by either of the two. Both are to exchange information and
ideas about strategies and best practices in nurturing local
IT and multimedia companies, access to venture capital and
funding, and networking among identified incubators, as
well as secondment of staff to each other.
The
Dubai Media City (DMC) is an AED 3 billion project aimed
at establishing Dubai as a regional media hub, and sprawled
over 200 hectares of land offering unique and competitive
advantages to multinational and regional media houses by
providing them with creative freedom and solid infrastructure
support. The project is designed to be the regional base
for media businesses, producers and freelancers from every
sphere of the media industry, including broadcasting, publishing,
TV/Film production, communication services and music.
DMC
had over 900 people from 50 companies begin working at the
City from March 1, 2001. Work on DMC's Phase Two has begun,
and will include the construction of new buildings equipped
with state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technology
spread out over 300,000 square meters.
Both
DIC and DMC have sought to minimize registration and labour
procedures in their efforts to attract companies to set-up.
DMC recently opened a 'one-stop shop' where all services
of its tenants can be processed and completed without having
to visit individual government departments. The single window
ensures hassle-free and time-saving completion of formalities
required to efficiently operate a business at DMC. The comprehensive
list of services includes the issuance of trade licenses,
healthcare and immigration services such as residence and
visit visas for business partners and employees.
The
website of Dubai Internet City can be found at: www.dubaiinternetcity.co.ae
