In a video message to the private sector, His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on the Dubai business community to cooperate with the relevant government authorities in implementing preventive and precautionary measures to counter the spread of Coronavirus (Covid- 19). He urged the private sector to ensure the safety and health of their employees by asking them to stay at home and work remotely.

In his message to the business community, Buamim announced the launch of the campaign, “Be Safe. Work Smart” stressing that the recent measures taken by the government to deal with Covid-19 are necessary to safeguard the safety and health of the country.

This comes in light of UAE Government’s appeal to its citizens and residents to stay at home to help fight the spread of Covid-19 and launch of the #stayhome movement. This step, which is part of UAE’s efforts to halt the spread of this virus, also supports the guidelines put forth by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Role of the private sector

Buamim also highlighted the important role that the business community can play in supporting the efforts and measures put in place by the government to keep the society and private sector safe, to act with responsibility and professionalism to protect employees and to ensure business continuity.

The President & CEO, remarked that businesses, which do not require physical presence of their employees at workplace, should, with immediate effect, ask them to work from home. Working remotely has become a much easier and richer experience with the advanced technological infrastructure offered by the UAE, leading to business as usual.

Chamber’s campaign

The campaign launched by the Chamber today comes as part of its efforts to integrate the role of the private sector with the measures put in place by the relevant government agencies.

The campaign aims to encourage the private sector to maintain the security and safety of employees and to ensure business continuity. It is an invitation to the private sector to support ongoing government efforts and to lead by example by adhering to the guidelines and directives issued by the relevant authorities.

Integrated smart services

Dubai Chamber has already implemented remote work plan, in coordination with the relevant authorities. The regularity of daily operations and services has been taken into account, anticipating any difficulties that may affect functioning of business operations. Employees have been provided with the latest technologies, and solutions to all barriers have been identified, in order to maintain business continuity.

The Chamber provides an integrated system of smart and electronic services that cover all the needs and requirements of the business community, which enables its customers to complete all their transactions remotely, easily and in accordance with the highest international standards. With 98% of core services available online, its members can continue their business operations uninterrupted.

The smart services provided by the Chamber include certificates of origin, attestations, membership services, studies, research and reports, business and legal services, issuance of ATA Carnet , Dubai Chamber’s CSR Label, and Business Groups and Councils groups services in addition to the services available to economic and professional bodies.

The smart services provided by Dubai Chamber when it comes to membership include the issuance, renewal and amendment of membership. For ATA Carnet, members can access services concerning issuance, renewal as well as replacement.

The Chamber’s smart legal service provides legal representation and information, while members can get ratification of signatures, copies and stamps through our smart attestation services. Attestation services include attestation of signature, seals and a true copy.

To add to this, Business Groups and Councils can benefit from authorisations and renewal of permits, while those looking for information and business intelligence on various parameters can access case studies and research reports.

Dubai Chamber continues to work towards 100% smart transformation of its services in the near future.