Economic Integration Committee discusses economic activity classification, updates on implementation of telemarketing regulations and trademark protection in the UAE

• Bin Touq: Committee continues to strengthen coordination & integration between federal and local entities to support the growth and competitiveness of the national economy

The Economic Integration Committee held its sixth meeting for the year 2025, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. It was attended by directors general of economic development departments in all seven emirates.

The Committee reviewed progress on the outputs of its fifth meeting and discussed a range of vital economic and legislative matters. Key topics included the identification and classification of economic activities for designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBP), updates on the implementation of regulations on telemarketing calls, and the trademark registration indicators, which reflect the development in intellectual property (IP) protection and the growing competitiveness of Emirati products.

H.E. Bin Touq underscored that under the guidance of the wise leadership; the UAE continues to develop an integrated framework that enhances the resilience of the national economy and boosts its regional and international competitiveness. H.E. highlighted the Economic Integration Committee’s importance as a key platform for strengthening collaboration between federal and local governments in support of the goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

 H.E. said: “The Economic Integration Committee remains committed to monitoring economic performance indicators and the outcomes of its previous decisions to ensure coordinated federal and local efforts. This approach enhances the sustainability of economic growth and its ability to adapt to global economic shifts, in line with the projections indicating nearly 4.9 per cent GDP growth in 2025.”

H.E. added: “The key files discussed - from the classification of economic activities to consumer and IP protection - are the cornerstones of bolstering the national business environment and attracting high‑quality investments, thus accelerating economic diversification and achieving the country’s development goals.”

The Committee further reviewed “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” national campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which is supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office. It also discussed mechanisms for supporting all local economic development departments in achieving the campaign’s plans and goals. The campaign aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and empower Emirati youth to benefit from the country’s unique economic environment through targeted initiatives and programs.

The meeting also addressed mechanisms to develop the food delivery sector and the regulations governing it in the UAE. The Committee highlighted Dubai’s experience, where the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism Development has issued guidelines for online restaurant food delivery platforms aimed at promoting fair trade, transparency, and balance in the digital marketplace. H.E. Bin Touq directed the formation of a joint working group to develop a federal policy establishing mechanisms and guidelines for online food delivery platforms across the UAE, thereby supporting the growth and prosperity of this vital sector.

Furthermore, the Committee reviewed the project to identify and classify DNFBP sector’s economic activities. The project reinforces the oversight measures and procedures of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and other regulatory bodies by ensuring an inclusive compliance and monitoring framework. It also supports national risk assessments and strengthens the culture of compliance, enhancing the effectiveness of the UAE’s system for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism.

Additionally, the meeting explored recent progress in the implementation of regulations on telemarketing calls in the country. It reviewed proposals to develop complaint mechanisms, impose penalties, and limit such bothersome practices to protect consumer privacy and freedom of choice in line with global best practices.

The Committee was briefed on the outcomes of trademark registrations in the UAE. By the end of September 2025, more than 402,000 national and international trademarks had been registered across UAE markets. This milestone highlights the UAE’s progress in providing intellectual property protection and the growing awareness within the business sector of the importance of registering and safeguarding trademarks. These efforts enhance the competitiveness of Emirati products in global markets.

The Committee concluded its meeting by reaffirming the ongoing collaboration between federal and local entities to implement the outcomes of the 6th meeting and follow up on previous recommendations. Such efforts will further align the country’s economic and legislative policies and advance the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 vision, aimed at building a competitive, sustainable, and knowledge-based economy.