There is no doubt that life in the UAE can be expensive. But a cabinet meeting took place last night, looking to change that. 

A number of initiatives were put in place, following directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, seeking to reduce the cost of doing business in Dubai and aiming to stimulate economic growth by reducing or cancelling various government fees. 

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, announced the changes on Twitter. 

Fees for commercial entities have been halved

According to HH Sheikh Hamdan this is "in order to preserve Dubai's distinctive investment environment on a regional and global level".

Firstly, we agreed to lower market fees imposed by Dubai Municipality on commercial entities from 5% to 2.5%, in order to preserve Dubai's distinctive investment environment on a regional and global level.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 6, 2018

A host of aviation fees have been abolished 

In order to develop Dubai's aviation sector, we are cancelling 19 fees related to the aviation industry and to aircraft landing permits ... Dubai is a global hub for the industry and our hard-won position in this sector needs to be strengthened.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 6, 2018

Buying property has become more affordable 

"The real estate sector is an important component of Dubai's economy," HH Sheikh Hamdan said in the Tweet. "We are working to provide the best government services to both investors and developers."

We also approved waiving the 4% fee for a delay in property registration imposed by the Dubai Land Department. The real estate sector is an important component of Dubai's economy and we are working to provide the best government services to both investors and developers.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 6, 2018

And the big one, school fees have been frozen

This has been done "in order to reduce the financial burden on parents."

Finally, we ordered an immediate freeze on the tuition fees of all private schools in Dubai for the coming academic year (2018-2019), in order to reduce the financial burden on parents.

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 6, 2018

Naturally, people have applauded the news on Twitter. 

"Good news for students and parents," one follower wrote on Twitter. With another adding, "Wow! Thanks to Sir for this generous gesture, this is a master stroke and will definitely help the families . Education is becoming expensive nowadays, it’s important to make it affordable Thanks".