Understanding Dubai’s user-friendly rules for establishing a business

Dubai is a city with a diverse and vibrant culture. With an economy historically built on the oil industry, Dubai’s main revenues come from tourism, trade, aviation, real estate, and financial services.

Not only does Dubai have the infrastructure, services and people to support commercial success, it is universally recognised as offering one of the most business-friendly environments in the world. It is also the region’s transport and logistics hub, a key factor in the decision of multinational companies to establish themselves in the emirate.

Setting up in Dubai

Dubai is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In terms of setting up corporate entities, Dubai’s multi-jurisdictional nature offers a multiplicity of options.

Dubai has built a position as a major commercial, industrial and trading hub in the region, and in order to maintain that position, particular attention has been paid to easing the process of setting up companies.

Depending on business objectives and the preferred shareholding structure, foreign investors have the option of setting up either in mainland Dubai, or in one of numerous industry-specific free zones.

Samer Qudah is a partner and the regional head of corporate structuring at Al Tamimi & Company