Doing Business in Dubai

Doing business in the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates market is the main regional trading hub, for overseas company its offers access to market of outstanding opportunities.  Among its main features are:

      * Since 1989 Dubai is a growing market , it imports more than doubled, liberalization  and regional economic growth is set to stimulate demand;
      * Dubai is a prosperous market  situated in the  strategic location in the heart of one of the richest regions of the world.
      * Dubai is Diversified market .There are lot of demands for imports and lot of opportunities for suppliers of various products exists in this diversified market.
      * Dubai is a market accessible by 170 shipping lines and 86 airlines. It is an open  market without any   exchange controls, quotas or trade barriers.

How to Open Company in Dubai & Rules and Regulations

Licensing

In UAE there are three categories of licenses basically required for All the Business Activity:-
All kinds of Trading Activity required Commercial Licenses.
Professions, services, craftsmen and artisans required Professional licenses.
For establishing industrial or manufacturing activity required Industrial licenses.

Sometimes approval from ministries is required for few types of business like approval from the Ministry of Health is required for pharmaceutical and medical products; from the Central Bank of the UAE for the banks and financial institutions; from the Ministry of Finance and Industry for manufacturing and from the ministry of Economy and Commerce for the branch of foreign company. Business related to oil or gas production or other related industries required more detailed procedures.

Ownership Requirements

For the entire UAE established companies Fifty-one per cent participation by UAE nationals is the general requirement except:
• 100% foreign ownership is permitted in the Free Trade Zones.
• Where the law requires 100% local ownership;
• In activities open to 100% AGCC ownership;
• Where wholly owned AGCC companies enter into partnership with UAE nationals;
• Registering branches or a representative office in Dubai in respect of foreign companies.
• 100% foreign ownership is permitted in professional or artisan companies where