Officials meets errant massage centres to help them avoid fines Similar meetings will be held with other businesses with repeat fines

In a bid to help businesses avoid penalties and ensure that no company gets fined more than five times for repeat offenses, the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) recently met owners of cosmetics, skincare and massage centres in Dubai to review their fines and explain to them the reasons behind their repeat offender status.


In a statement, the DED’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division said it was organising awareness sessions for owners of business licenses with repeat fines according to business activity.

Omar Bushahab, CEO of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division, said: “We launched the initiative by meeting with the owners of cosmetics, skincare and massage centres to review the fines and the reasons leading to them as well as ways to avoid them in future. DED seeks to create a work environment characterised by complete transparency and clarity in the provision of services and products to customers and consumers.”

The meeting included discussions on co-operating with DED to offer services according to rules and regulations as well as ways to enhance business operations while maintaining the rights of consumers.

Attendees in the meeting confirmed their commitment to fully comply with all laws relating to economic activities, particularly the laws on commercial companies, commercial fraud, trademark, commercial agencies, and consumer protection. They also expressed readiness to accept any fines in the event of failure to implement DED’s guidelines.

Bushahab noted that similar meetings will also be held with other businesses with repeat fines in sectors such as foods, car repair workshops and electronics.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Division organises awareness sessions and direct meetings with traders and shop owners to discuss ways to eliminate negative practices.

The division also distributes brochures on consumer rights across all shopping malls and traditional market areas in Dubai in various languages, including Chinese. Bushahab noted that the division specifically aims to control negative phenomena such as high prices and the sale of harmful products.

“DED seeks to implement best practices in business activities, raise awareness among businessmen, and ensure the rights of consumers through a series of specialised field studies. These efforts are aimed to raise the level of business performance in vital sectors and ensure cordial relations between traders and consumers,” added Bushahab.