Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Committee for Reviewing Government Laws and Regulations at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. Image accompanying the press release.
40 Legislative Referrals Compared to 12 in the Same Period of 2025
Press Release
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Committee for Reviewing Government Laws and Regulations at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce has experienced significant growth in its operations and influence during the first half of 2026. This reinforces its role in representing the private sector and contributing to the development of a flexible and competitive legislative framework that supports the business environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
During the first six months of 2026, the committee managed 40 legislative and regulatory referrals, a stark increase from the 12 referrals during the same period in 2025. This reflects an impressive growth rate of approximately 233% in its activities.
Of the 40 legislative referrals examined in the first half of 2026, 70% underwent initial reviews, while 30% progressed to second reviews or beyond. This highlights the committee’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and developing legislative projects through various review stages.
Throughout this period, the committee provided constructive feedback and suggestions aimed at improving regulatory frameworks, revising penalties and procedures, enhancing governance, and striking a balance between regulatory objectives and the needs of the private sector.
Role in Representing the Business Community
The committee plays a pivotal role in representing the business community before legislative and regulatory bodies. Its responsibilities include reviewing draft laws, decisions, and regulations, evaluating existing legislation, coordinating with government entities, and engaging representatives from the private sector, sectoral committees, and specialised working groups to formulate insights and recommendations.
Its activities encompassed a wide array of economic and regulatory areas, including commercial companies, non-profit organisations, family businesses, categories of shares and stakes, transitioning companies between free zones and the mainland, electronic data and commercial registers, auctions, consumer protection, combating commercial fraud, the real estate sector, higher education, and scientific research, among other files that directly impact the business environment.
Some files went through multiple rounds of review, illustrating the committee’s dedication to offering insights not only on initial drafts but also in tracking the development of the texts and addressing the comments received. Notable among these are the legislations concerning categories of shares, transitions of companies between free zones and the mainland, non-profit organisations, and consumer protection.
Statements from Leadership
In this context, Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Committee for Reviewing Government Laws and Regulations at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, stated, “The results from the first half of 2026 reflect a clear evolution in the committee’s role and the extent of its responsibilities. We measure our success not just by the number of legislations we review but by our ability to voice the concerns of the private sector, improve the quality of legislation, and contribute to building a more flexible, efficient, and competitive business environment.”
He added, “The substantial increase in the volume of files, combined with the depth of review and follow-up rounds, confirms the committee’s evolution from simply providing insights to becoming an active institutional partner in the development of economic legislation. Our goal is to enhance early and constructive dialogue between the business community and government entities, fostering growth, investment, and sustainability for businesses.”
Supporting Family Business Sustainability
Among its priority issues, the committee continued to contribute to the development of the legislative environment for family businesses by reviewing relevant legislations and proposing supportive measures to enhance family dispute resolution mechanisms. This also aligns with efforts to develop the executive framework for the Family Business Law.
Additionally, the committee supported the acceleration of establishing family business dispute resolution committees in Abu Dhabi and promoted the use of mediation and arbitration as effective means for settling disputes, alongside supporting initiatives to create a council for family businesses aimed at enhancing their sustainability and continuity across generations.
From Review to Active Influence
The results from the first half of 2026 signify a shift in the committee’s contribution from a focus on reviewing legislations referred to it, to a broader role of institutional advocacy for the interests of the private sector, providing development proposals, encouraging sectoral participation, and following through on texts through various stages of review.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce reaffirms its commitment to its role as a strategic partner for government agencies and a primary representative of the private sector, contributing to the development of a more flexible and efficient legislative system that enhances business ease and boosts the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s economy.
The Committee for Reviewing Government Laws and Regulations at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce comprises a distinguished group of business leaders and experts in legal, economic, and related fields. This composition allows it to examine legislative projects from a practical perspective that reflects the needs of various business sectors in Abu Dhabi. The committee is chaired by Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, with Khaled Abdul Karim Al Fahim serving as Vice Chairman, alongside members Marwah Abdullah Al Mansouri, Burkan Khalifa, Dr. Faraj Hanesh, Saif Mohammed Hassan, Ziad Saloum, Qusai Hajiri, and Fatima Abdullah Alfuqai.
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