The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Licences Department, in accordance with the Electronic Government Authority (EGA), has launched the Electronic Tourism Licences and Permits System in order to simplify and facilitate registration procedures, enhance the experience of customers and investors in the services field, improve the operational capability for running the daily licences and permits, and meet the high standards and needs of customers in a sufficient manner. By utilising the Electronic Tourism Licences and Permits System, applicants will now be able to get approvals for tourism licences and permits, as well as easily apply for license and permit renewal, amendments, and annulment. The new system will allow applicants to know the initial approvals of the tourism licenses and permits, inspection requests as well as updating on the status of receipts payment, the granting of licences and permits as well as also allowing applicants the convenience of printing the documents accordingly. In his first statement about the work of the department and its programme, Victor Louis, General Manager of Ras Al Khaimah TDA stated: “Opportunities to attract investment to Ras Al Khaimah abound with our strategic location, freezone, as well as specialised industrial areas to name as just a few examples that are in addition to the enormous help and support the authority provides to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector, including assistance such as the provision of advice and assisting with the creation of various feasibility studies.” “This is in addition to the stability and security experienced within the UAE as a basic fundamental, which has led to the current economic prosperity that we witness in Ras Al Khaimah today. To further enhance these factors the department has managed to implement a systemised policy that encourages investors through the provision of incentives, as well as facilitating and streamlining procedures as much as possible,” he added. He also said: “By launching the Electronic Tourism Licenses and Permits System, we are taking a great step towards simplifying and facilitating procedures for investors who in increasing numbers are choosing to invest in this rising emirate based on solid analysis of the facts and factors that have made Ras Al Khaimah such an attractive destination for investment.” Engineer Ahmad Bin Said AlSayah, General Manager of EGA said: “This project was created following the guidelines laid down specifically for the tourism and investment sectors, as well as the electronic government programme. The electronic system will enhance the emirate’s trade mark and its ability to attract investments as well as encourage increased electronic communication between investors, users and the relevant parties.” From Gulf Today