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Dubai Business – What’s Happening Now?

It took no one by surprise when Dubai’s boom bubble burst just after the global recession kicked into full gear. The real estate and construction industries, which were among Dubai’s primary economic contributors for several years, suddenly found themselves in a dire situation. Businesses went bankrupt and expatriates were quick to leave before things became unbearable.

But, that was in 2008 and early 2009. How is Dubai’s business environment now? Are investors still looking for the silver lining in this gray cloud? Can the remaining entrepreneurs still make it work? What would you do if it were you who had a business in Dubai?

Let’s take some very interesting facts into consideration, before we go creating opinions and deducing.

1. Dubai is still the biggest trading port connecting the world’s East and West.

While some industries went crashing down, the trading sector in Dubai never waived in its strength. Between the early months of 2008 and mid 2009, trading was the same as it was during the booming years. Many investors from countries such as Japan, Kuwait, India, Singapore, Germany and Spain continued to apply for new trading licenses in Dubai. Have they suffered during the recession? Apparently not, because the contribution from the trading sector in 2009 has far exceeded expectations.

2. Professional practices in Dubai are still going strong

Doctors, lawyers, business consultants and IT service providers in Dubai are still earning a good income and maintaining their earlier lifestyles with ease. Some professions, such as marketing consultants, have suffered because people are no longer able to afford high advertising costs, but the overall picture here is a very positive one indeed.

3. Dubai offshore companies are in very high demand

Since the new Swiss regulations came into place earlier this year, the Dubai free zone company formations have increased. This is mostly because of the tax-free status and the 100% repatriation scheme upon business liquidation. Offshore companies in Dubai are mostly setup in Jebel Ali Free Zone and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Free Zone, but with new free zones such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, Jumeira Lake Towers and Dubai Investment Park coming into the limelight, the sky is the limit for investors who are looking for the best deal.

Considering the extremely positive outlook provided by the earlier points, it’s easy to understand that Dubai is rising up just in time. The government has changed rules and regulations, making it easier for investors to settle down in Dubai for as long as they need. With the new Dubai Metro public commuting system now in place and the low crime rate still intact, Dubai is now back among global economic giants. So, for all you eager investors out there, here’s a recommendation – start a business in Dubai. You won’t regret it.

A Compaq Guide About Business Setup in Dubai

Dubai is the one of the fastest growing business hub with the state of the art facilities available for local and international business. Dubai is an integral part of business world and is leading with innovation. Dubai is politically stable and has strong economic culture and government of Dubai offer friendly business regulations which attracts the investors from around the world. This article will provide you a Compaq guide regarding business setup in Dubai. Before you start your business in a unbeaten economy like Dubai first you need to under the culture of it. Dubai being an international city is a multi-cultural city, people from all around the world are present in Dubai. After familiarizing yourself with the cultural you must learn about the rules and regulations and kind of the business you can start.

Legal structure of business setup in Dubai is according to UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 1984, and after the amendment in Federal Law No. 13 of 1988 – the Commercial Companies Law, and its by-laws regulate the function of foreign business in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In wide terms the requirements of these regulations are: The Federal Law requires a total local equity of not less than 51% in any commercial business and describes seven categories of business organizations which can be established in the UAE. This regulation explains the requirements in terms of shareholders, directors, minimum capital requirements and business incorporation processes. This law further lays down the requirements of governing conversion, merger and dissolution of companies and businesses.

In Dubai, you are given plenty of opportunities; you get benefits of best economy based on strong administrative foundations. Authorities of Dubai have divided the city in different economic jurisdictions. You can start different types of businesses in Dubai bases on type of business and location; types are divided in three main categories which are Mainland, Free Zones and Offshore. Another thing to remember is that Dubai welcomes foreign investment but there are rules and regulations that must be followed. In order for you to enter in Dubai, UAE you need to have sponsor, a sponsor will take your responsibility. Importance of a sponsor can be determined by the fact that for any purpose if it is business or you are just visiting you must have a sponsor. When it comes to start a business in Dubai you are require having a sponsor, any kind of business needs a sponsor or service agent. In mainland a local resident or a of United Arab Emirates based company act as a sponsor, for professional service you need service agent as sponsor and for setting up a free zone business you also need a sponsor, in this case free zone acts as your sponsor.

Business setup in Dubai mainland requires you to have a valid license issued by the administrative authority. The name of the authority is Dubai Economic Development (DED); it is a government agency responsible for issuing the business licenses. Renewal of the license, cancellation and up-gradation are also handled by Dubai Economic Development (DED). To ease the investors Dubai Economic Development (DED) operates for different localities, thought scrutiny process of the application is strict but department ensures the quick application processing. In Dubai mainland, Dubai Economic Development (DED) issues four types of licenses, commercial, professional service, Branch office and industrial license.

To setup your business in Dubai mainland under commercial license you are by law mandated to have the help from local UAE resident which is also called local sponsor. Local sponsor is by law hold the 51% shares of your business and you will hold only 49% of shares. However you are given full administrative rights. You can draw contracts with local sponsor and allocate a yearly fee for being a sponsor. Local sponsor sometimes work as silent partners. Local sponsor can be an individual or it can be a UAE based company or group.

However, if you are setting up a business which involve professional services you don’t need to have a local sponsor, in that case you only need a service agent. Service agent works on your behalf and helps you deal with the local administrative authorities to start your business. You are allowed to hold 100% of your professional business and service agent will only be paid once for the service he offered.

Free zones are special economic zones in Dubai which are specially designed to attract the foreign investment. Free zone based business are fully owned by the investor and there are plenty of options to choose with. Every free zone in Dubai has a governing authority or free zone authority. For business setup in Dubai you would need deal with the free zone authority. You may be asked by the authority to provide different legal documents before you finally give the go ahead in form of license by that authority.

Free zone offers different attractive options for foreign investors such as you are given 100% of ownership of your business. There are many options free of tax you can avail like no personal income tax, corporate tax exemptions. There are different types of business setup options in Dubai free zones like you can start of your business enterprise as a limited liability company or service provider organizations, there are different licensing options. Business setups in free zones are allowed to perform international trades. When time comes you can easily wind your business. There is less paper work involved when it comes to end your business from a free zone.

Offshore is another type of business setup offered in Dubai and has been very famous. Offshore means a business entity setup outside of the resident country in an offshore jurisdiction. Dubai offshore jurisdiction provides number of benefits to your business in terms of asset protection, tax optimization and business expansion. Businesses setup in Dubai offshore jurisdiction must abide the offshore companies rules and regulations and is not allowed to trade inside the offshore jurisdiction.

To sum up, after making decision with the kind of business you are willing to start in Dubai you need to deal with the concerned authority. The best way is to hire a professional help. You will be able to find number of consulting firms who are willing to help you deal with the paper work and the authorities. You will be asked by regulating authorities to provide different documents and submit paper work.

Here are few steps you may follow, first of all do research and decide the type of business you are willing to embark, choose jurisdiction and follow through. It is recommended to get the help from a professional when it comes to business setup in Dubai. Ready your paper work for the licensing and get a guide on licensing terms and conditions as there are certain activities you are allowed and certain activities you are not allowed to perform. There are license you can choose which allows multiple business activities.

Basic Steps to Set Up a Business in Dubai

Are you thinking of starting your business in Dubai? Congratulations, you have chosen one of the best business ecosystems in the world for your new endeavor. Dubai is more than mere a city of architectural marvels- it is one of the most fertile grounds for new businesses. This is just one of the many things that make the commercial capital of UAE the best place to live and work. And as for starting up a business here, there’s no question that there’s a lot of potential to be tapped here in Dubai. So, if you are eager to set up your own enterprise, this article will help explain what you need to know and do to get your company registered and off the ground.

We have equipped this article with necessary links to guide you about the process and documentation required. Take a good look at the below before you kick off the actual process- the good news, though, is that on average, if you are ready with all required documents, it takes less than 10 days to start your company in Dubai. So, let’s start!

But before you start your legal formalities, you need to consider some elements required in the process:

Know your business

The success of a great business venture depends on sound knowledge of the local region, thorough research into the viability and demand for your product or service and a credible business plan that is likely to attract investment partners.

Yes you have a great idea, but is there a demand for what you are offering? What does your competition look like and what puts your business offering a notch above the others?

Select a Location that optimizes suitability, convenience, and costsAnother important step in planning a business startup in Dubai is to determine the most suitable location for the business. Setting up a profit-based enterprise in the city wouldn’t do you much good despite the growing economy if you’re customers or clients can’t reach you.You need to set up your business in an area that is most profitable for your business or most convenient to your business. A location in the right city can be selected for a shop or an office is most known for the type of product or service you are dealing with.

If you are planning a Free Zone company then you must make the selection based upon the criteria of distance, costs and if it is suitable for your product, business model, and trade requirements.

A tenancy contract must be concluded. If you’re aiming to start a small-scale enterprise, then the basic amenities, like telecommunication, storage, and space inside the establishment is the basic concern that must also be satisfied. Other services available in the commercial property can vary greatly.

Financial viability

Once you business is registered, the Ministry of Commerce will require owners to show proof of financial investment. If you are new to the region and have no track record, you must be prepared to find your own financial resources through your bank or by other means rather than relying on local support.

Once you have established the validity of your concept, from a marketability stand point as well as financial viability, you can now look at the steps for turning your idea into a booming business.

UAE Commercial Companies Law and Federal Law define seven basic categories of business organization that can be established in Dubai and the UAE. The requirements for minimum capital levels, shareholders and procedures for incorporation will vary with the type of business structure.

Changes to Foreign Ownership and Visa Rules Announcement

Anyone coming into the UAE as a professional or as an investor is typically granted a residence visa of two years, which is renewable. This has now been changed to a ten-year visa for investors and professionals in highly skilled fields such as engineering, medicine and science. Students will be given a special five-year visa, while those who consistently perform well and earn top grades will be granted a ten-year visa as well.

Another very significant change is in the ownership of companies.Businesses within the UAE are divided into two main categories: mainland businesses and freezone businesses.

At present, mainland businesses can be partially owned by expatriate entrepreneurs, but must have a UAE national as a majority shareholder in the company. Freezone companies, on the other hand, can have full foreign ownership and are subject to separate regulations depending on the freezone.

With the new regulations, every business, whether mainland or freezone, will be able to have 100% foreign ownership without the need for an Emirati partner.

Confirm your Visa eligibility and requirement

For a business startup in the UAE, a visa permitting you and employees to live in UAE is essential to run your business.

Visas are allowed for almost all businesses.

However, their number varies according to a variety of criteria such as the size of the office, nature of the business, the category of the employee or the investor.

Documents Required for LLC

Investor’s passport copy

Local Sponsor’s passport copy

Manager’s Passport copy

Registration application form from Economic Department

Trade name reservation

Initial approval from Economic Department Tenancy contract for the Office/warehouse or showroom attested by planning department and civil defence department of Dubai municipality along with location plan.

Memorandum of Association duly attested from public notary.

Documents Required for Professional firms

Parent Business formation certificate duly attested from the UAE embassy in the home country of the parent organisation.

Board resolution for establishing a branch and to appoint the manager for the same

Attested copy(from UAE Embassy) of organisation memorandum / articles of association

Financial statements for the last two years

Local service agency agreement duly notarised in the UAE courts

Passport copy of the local service agent

Passport copy of the Manager

Company profile

NOC letter in favour of the Manager from the sponsor, if he is a resident of the UAE

Company Registration in Dubai, UAE

Businesses of any category operating in the UAE must have a license for registering into the business network of the country. Company registration in UAE requires a trade license and permission from different law enforcement agencies and the state government for setting up your business. Company registration in Dubai for businesses like financial services, food, health services, printing and publishing requires a lot more clearance than any other business.

Company registration in UAE falls into following three categories depending on the nature of your business:

Company Registration in Dubai, UAECommercial License – This license is issued to those companies who are just looking for trading business activities.

Industrial License – This license is for those companies who will engage in manufacturing or other industrial activities.

Professional License – This license is issued specifically for different service providers, artisans, craftsmen and other professionals.

For the company registration in Dubai, the Department of Economic Development (DED) of UAE issues the required licenses.

Get a License Notification

There are many complex requirements associated with the issuing of the business license. The company registration in Dubai for financial services must need the approval of the Central Bank of UAE. The license for the manufacturing companies requires approval from Industry ministry of UAE. Similarly, the medical service providers require approval from the Health Ministry of UAE.Once the necessary documents are obtained and formalized, the initial application process will begin at the relevant issuing authority along with registering the company’s formal name. This crucial stage paves the way for clarification of the final fees and the final acceptance of the company’s proposed activities.

Hire a registration agent to take you through the process of business startup

Hiring a business advisory firm to register your business startup may be your best option.

These consultants will not only hold your hand right through the setup process but will also actually register the company for you. And will help with opening your bank account, arrange for an auditor, do your renewals and offer you nominee services.

You may find their expertise in dealing with the local government bureaucracy and with Free Zone Authorities to be of great help in planning and itemize your business startup costs.

In most cases, these firms offer a team of experts to plan out your company registration from scratch – this includes the strategies you need to follow in order to smoothly set up your business, itemizing potential costs, offering licensing and location options, coming up with solutions for potential business hurdles, and so on.

Also, they will take care of all the necessary requirements to help you to have your business registered legally with minimal problems on your end.

If you are looking for trading in any of these industries in Dubai or any other, then we can give you the best advice for your company registration in UAE. For more details visit: http://www.namaccountants.com/ or Contact us: 971-558876440