Page 94 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - AUGUST 2024

On the other hand, the Securities and Commodities Authority specialises in all matters related to
marketing calls regarding securities and commodities trading services in the country. Licensing
authorities in the mainland and free zones are also responsible in their respective emirates, in
all matters relating to the telephone marketing of products or services in the country except
those falling under the jurisdiction of the Central Bank and the Securities and Commodities
Authority.

Safeya Hashem Al Safi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Control and
Governance Sector at the Ministry of Economy, confirmed that the UAE, following its wise
leadership’s directives, remains committed to establishing a business environment that boasts
economic and social stability. These include fostering sound business practices, safeguarding
consumer rights, and promoting a marketing culture in line with best practices within the
corporate sector.

Al Safi explained that the provisions of the Cabinet Resolutions will apply to all licensed
companies in the country including those in free zones, which market products and services
through marketing phone calls or one of their employees. The provisions will also apply to
individuals, where natural persons are prohibited from telemarketing of products or services
provided in their name or on behalf of their clients, via a fixed or mobile telephone number
licensed by the licensed telecommunications companies in the country.

Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, CEO of SCA, highlighted that SCA will supervise promotional
phone calls made by authorised companies during direct marketing of their services or products.
Additionally, it will monitor the activities of companies that provide marketing services on behalf
of these authorised companies, ensuring their compliance with the regulations outlined in the
Cabinet Resolution through various oversight methods. SCA will also establish a platform for the
general public, including investors and community members, to file complaints if they receive
unsolicited marketing calls that violate the regulations set by the Cabinet Resolution or any
other regulations issued by SCA.

She added that SCA has issued a circular to all businesses, highlighting the importance of
obtaining its approval before marketing their own services or the services offered by their clients
via telephone. This measure aims to identify a list of approved companies authorised to engage
in telemarketing and aid SCA in monitoring their adherence to regulations and standards.

Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi, Deputy Director-General of the Telecommunications Sector at
TDRA, said, “Cabinet Resolutions have been issued to establish clear boundaries and
regulations for companies engaged in telemarketing.

“At TDRA, we have launched the ‘Do Not Call Register’ initiative introduced as ‘DNCR’, which
empowers recipients with the right to opt out of receiving marketing calls from specific sectors or
all sectors.

According to the resolution, TDRA may impose administrative violations and penalties and
financial fines on natural persons (individuals).

The resolution stipulates that any natural person who makes marketing phone calls for products
or services in his name or the name of his client through a number of a fixed or mobile phone
that is licensed in the name of such, will be subject to a fine of AED5,000 and in addition to

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/143d7h5-ministry-economy-reviews-regulatory-legislation