The Economic Department was established in Dubai, on March 18, 1992, by virtue of Law No. (1), of 1992 by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. In 1996 the name was changed to "The Department of Economic Development". The law determines the responsibilities of the Department as follows:

• Prepare and maintain a commercial register and supervise its organization.
• Register and protect industrial and trade property rights.
• Regulate the affairs of commercial agents and brokers, and commercial advertising offices.
• Study applications to establish or expand industrial projects, and take appropriate decisions in the light of their commercial viability.
• Regulate and promote the marketing of the Emirate’s industrial products.
• Encourage local and foreign investments in commercial and industrial projects, and create the appropriate environment for such investment.
• Organize exhibitions in cooperation with the concerned parties.
• Control the insurance industry and supervise insurance companies operating in the Emirate.
• Supervise the incorporation of companies of whatever nature and register national and foreign companies and study the participation of the government in companies and development projects and represent the government in companies where it has a stake.

Mission

To promote a vibrant economic growth through building a knowledge–based economy, driven by a diverse and thriving set of technology-intense industries in manufacturing and traded services through highly skilled and competent staff to benefit:

• Our society: through creating sustained economic development and welfare.
• Our clients: creating value business solutions
• Our people: through the creation of meaningful jobs
• Our staff: with opportunities to innovate, contribute and maximize their potentials

Objectives

• Promote a policy of diversification of income sources in the Emirate through selected economic sectors.
• Provide the best human resources to fulfill immediate and future requirements of the job market.
• Educate citizens to increase their participation (quality and quantity-wise) in various economic activities.
• Provide a competitive investment environment to attract local and foreign investments.
• Organize the business sector in the Emirate according to the best international practices.
• Promote the local economy in order to conform positively to the requirements of world trade.
• Upgrade the level of commercial security for consumers and investors.
• Upgrade the level of productive efficiency and promote the culture of quality and excellence in various sectors.
• Provide information and advanced technology environment.
• Consolidate the coordination between the different Government Departments.

Projects

• Dubai Quality Award
• Intilaq
• Dubai Human Development
• Tafawoq

Certificates & Awards

Dubai Government Excellence Program Awards Dubai Government Excellence Program aims for several objectives such as:

• Developing the government sector and promoting its performance by providing moral incentives and stimulant work conditions that encourage positive competition between the departments and government entities and employees.
• Expressing the appreciation and gratitude of Dubai to the Departments and government entities that are distinguished in their performance, productivity, services, projects, programs, plans, and work methods.
• Motivating government employees at different employment level to be creative, distinguished, work committed, precise, serve customers and perform work efficiently.