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The Board of Directors of the UAE Capital Market Authority approved the removal of 15 fees following a comprehensive assessment of the entire fee structure, according to a report by the Emirates News Agency. The evaluation focused on charges linked to supervised services and activities, identifying the selected fees as no longer required under the current regulatory model. This decision aims to simplify compliance, reduce operational burdens and promote greater efficiency across the capital markets sector.
Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, chief executive officer of the authority, said the body remains committed to ongoing reviews of the fee framework. “The authority commits to reviewing and developing the fee framework to evolve with markets and reduce burdens on participants for resilient markets, effective business environment, and higher-quality services,” Al Awadhi stated. The chief executive emphasised that such measures help maintain a balanced approach that supports both market development and effective supervision.
The announcement comes seven months after the Capital Market Authority assumed its full mandate on January 1, 2026 under two federal decree laws that replaced the former Securities and Commodities Authority with enhanced oversight powers, a Pinsent Masons legal update found. Those laws established the authority as an independent regulator with a mandate to strengthen investor protection and align UAE practices with global standards. The fee abolition represents one of the first tangible adjustments to operational rules under the new structure.
Details of the specific services and activities covered by the eliminated charges appear in the published board resolution, which the authority has made available on its official website for licensed entities to consult. Implementation will follow the timelines and conditions outlined in that resolution, the Capital Market Authority indicated. Market participants had previously called for periodic fee adjustments to reflect changes in market dynamics and technological advancements.
The UAE’s capital markets have recorded sustained expansion since the regulatory transition, with increased listings and trading activity on the Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, according to Central Bank of the UAE indicators. The authority’s latest measure aligns with national objectives to position the country as a leading international financial hub by minimising unnecessary costs. Further refinements to the fee framework are expected as the regulator continues its modernisation programme.
