19 August 2019
The Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah has announced that it provided 55897 services to customers and the community during the first half of this year, classified according to 113 types based on 23 specialties of EPDA in addition to its competence to regulate the fishing profession.
On the occasion of the issuance of the Corporate Governance Report for the first half of this year, Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, Director General of EPDA, said that EPDA continues to delight its customers by providing unprecedented facilities, simplifying procedures and listening to their proposals through regular meetings and ongoing meetings through EPDA's boards.
Al Ghais attributed the Authority's high quality services and the highest standards of customer satisfaction during the first half of 2019 to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, for the environmental work and his deep belief in the need for Ras Al Khaimah to become a sustainable emirate. The continuous endeavor of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the Executive Council, who is sparing no effort to follow closely the extent of compliance of industrial and professional establishments with environmental requirements.
Al Ghais said that EPDA is keen to provide facilities and services to delight its customers through the shift to electronic and smart services. EPDA Issued, renewed, and amended 1436 environmental permits for industrial and professional establishments through the electronic licensing system and smart applications without the need to visit the EPDA building to facilitate investors and to ensure the ease of doing business and contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Ras Al Khaimah.
Air quality is one of the key issues on the UAE 2021 National Agenda in the UAE, which aims to raise air quality from its current level to 90% by 2021. To achieve this goal, EPDA works with its partners in the government and private sectors to develop national efforts in different methods and ways. EPDA has stations to measure air quality in various areas in Ras Al Khaimah, as the number of air quality measurement reports reached 25364.
During the first half of 2019, EPDA issued and renewed 68 fishing licenses for picnic and 15 artisanal fishing licenses. Back in 2017, EPDA provided housing for 1,035 fishing workers and 1,186 fishing berths, as well as 458 fish stores, bringing the number of berths to 1,558 berths and warehouses to 552 in 2019, while 2,681 traders benefited from the services provided by EPDA.
Within the framework of strengthening strategic partnerships, EPDA and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote environmental cooperation. To exchange of information on emissions from industrial plants and environmental impacts of economic activities, as well as building specialized technical capacities in strategic environmental planning. In addition, to exchange of information on climate change and joint action between the Parties on climate change, biodiversity and environmental awareness.
The memorandum of understanding signed by EPDA with the Ministry, aims to achieve a sustainable environment in line with the recommendations of the wise leadership to strengthen partnership and cooperation between the institutions and government sectors in the country. This will contribute to achieve the UAE Vision 2021, pointing out that EPDA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, has laid the foundation stone for the tidal pools project on the coasts of the Emirate to thrive biodiversity in the coastal environment.