Belhoul: The percentage of violations committed decreased by 44% compared to the same period last year

Date: 13 September 2022:  The Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees, the regulatory arm of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in Dubai, carried out 5,295 inspection tours within the retail facilities of its special development zones during the first half of 2022 to ensure compliance with the rules and guidelines issued by the jurisdiction, which resulted in recording of 95 violations.

Eng. Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of the Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees, said that the Department carried out a number of inspection campaigns during the first half of this year, under the supervision of the Commercial and Retail Inspection Section in the Licensing Department of Trakhees, distributed over a number of areas affiliated to Trakhees according to a specific schedule and following certain standards during inspections, indicating a decrease in the percentage of issued violations by 44% compared to the same period in 2021, which reflects the success of awareness campaigns launched by the department to ensure compliance with the relevant rules and requirements.

Eng. Abdulla Belhoul stated that the Commercial and Retail Inspection Section includes a team of specialized inspectors to ensure compliance with the laws, regulations and guidelines that should be followed on a regular basis, as the reported violations varied between non-compliance with laws and conditions, the exploitation of additional spaces without an official permit, presence of employees working for companies without a business visa or an expired work visa and not complying with safety requirements.

Abdulla Belhoul confirmed that Trakhees conducts inspection campaigns in its affiliated zones to verify the absence of any illegal practices within the facilities, shops and temporary facilities, and the unauthorized use of the common areas and facilities affiliated with the special development zones and the consequent penal and punitive measures for violators.

The CEO of Trakhees Department affirmed the department's determination to continue and intensify its inspection campaigns to prevent and hold institutions and individuals accountable when there is any non-complying with the laws in force in the United Arab Emirates and to apply the penalties and fines stipulated by the laws and regulations in the country against the perpetrators of violations.

From his side, Rashid Al Shehhi, Senior Manager of Operations in the Licensing Department of the Planning and Development Department - Trakhees, affirmed the department's keenness on the commitment of commercial establishments to implement correct practices and direct customers to abide by regulations, laws and guidelines to ensure a high level of safety and quality of work in retail facilities.