Khaleej Times 26 June 2009, DUBAI — Indian businessmen in Dubai have sought long-term residency in the UAE to encourage lasting investment and boost their sense of security as expatriate investors.
Under the umbrella of Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), many Indian expatriates with decades of trade and business experience in Dubai made this request to Director-General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri at an interactive session with him on Wednesday.
Though IBPC president Paras Shahdadpuri said the confidence of Indian business community in the UAE is unshakable, he said the short-term (three-year) visa caused uncertainty in their minds.
“Indian businessmen and professionals have invested hundreds of millions of dirhams here, particularly in Dubai, Jebel Ali and Sharjah… So, I would like to ask you…why not give us long-term visas to offer more confidence for us?”
Shahdadpuri also suggested to the DNRD head to try and revert the charges and deposit fee for visit visas as a measure to attract more tourists and shoppers.
Replying to them, Al Marri said his department would provide all possible assistance to facilitate their operations. However, most of their demands were beyond his control and the Federal Government would take appropriate decisions regarding them.
“It is a good idea to think about it if there is a discussion about it,” he said in reply to a question on the possibility of providing visa on arrival for Indians.
Speaking at the function, Consul-General of India Venu Rajamony said under the leadership of Al Marri, the DNRD had shown excellent performance during the amnesty period to coordinate a smooth, well-orderly and disciplined operation of sending illegal migrant workers back home.
Consul-General of Singapore Dileep Nair and senior DNRD officials were also present.
