The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is considering reducing the cost of employment visas to stimulate economic growth.

Dubai's Department of Economic Development (DED) claimed that this proposal will form part of a number of plans implemented next year to speed up the process of doing business in the UAE.

Presently, the government insists that excessive fees on labor and immigration are hindering the country's economic development.

Speaking to Emirates Business, Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, director-general of the DED, explained that his department has begun to open negotiations with the government on this proposal.

He said: "I totally agree that this is an issue and that this needs to be tackled. We are discussing these issues with the ministry."

Earlier this month, the United Nations' Development Programme released a study calling for Arab countries to provide 51 million jobs over the next decade to maintain current employment levels.