The first step for initiating a business in the UAE is to familiarise yourself with the Department of Economic Development Dubai (DED) policies. DED Dubai is a government body that drives the country’s economic agenda. The department also supports strategic sectors and provides services to improve the sustainable growth of the economy.
Let’s get into the details pertaining to DED. This will help potential business owners and investors who intend to set up a business in Dubai and other Emirates of the UAE.
DED Dubai
The DED Dubai was founded in 1992; however, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued decree no. 25 in October 2008. As per the law, the department is responsible to plan the overall economic performance and support economic development. It also ensures all objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan are achieved.
Goals and Objectives of DED Dubai
The ultimate vision of DED Dubai is to make the Emirate a pivotal hub in the global economy. The department is based on six strategic pillars including:
- Economic growth
- Advance DED
- Economic competitiveness
- Financial sustainability
- Economic foresight and planning
- Business community happiness
Each strategic pillar aims to provide the right infrastructure, improve the internal function within DED and utilise the financial resources effectively. Besides, these pillars also help to offer technology and regulatory framework to attract small and medium enterprises (SMEs) along with local and foreign investors.
DED Division in Dubai
DED has four different divisions, supporting the sectors of Dubai’s economy.
- Dubai Exports: The agency of Dubai Economy commenced its operations in 2007 to facilitate trade from the Emirate. Dubai Export offers several trade support services to UAE-based organisations to help them expand in foreign markets.
- The Dubai Investment Development Agency: The agency supports Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities for those who want to invest in Dubai’s economy.
- Dubai SME: Small and Medium Enterprise Development was established in 2002. The agency of Dubai Economy guides small and medium start-ups and existing projects.
- Dubai Economy: This aims to develop competitive strategies for the Emirate which is why it is also called the Dubai Competitiveness Office. This agency aims to ensure business work by coordinating from local to international organisations.
DED Dubai Services
Besides the assessment of Dubai’s business sector, the Department of Economic Development is also responsible to provide services related to the issuance, amendment and management of business licences in Dubai such as e-trader licence DED.
Once you log on to the DED Dubai website, you can access five types of services via the e-service portal. Below is the list of all DED Dubai e-services that you can access on the website:
DED Licence Services
- Instant Licence
- Renew Trade Name
- Reserve Trade Name
- Issue Initial Approval
- Renew licence
- Print licence
- Issue Branch Initial Approval
- Licence Activities’ Terms and Conditions
- Manage Licence Contact
- Pay Inspection Fines
- Update Mobile Number
Inquiries Section
- Search Licence Information
- Search Trade Names
- Transaction Status/Payments
- Search Business Activities
- Search Sales and Promotions
Legal Contract-Related Services
- Issue Legal Contract for Licence
- Approve Legal Contract
- Print Legal Contract
Public e-Forms
- Fill out the Registration & Licensing Application Form
- Commercial Permit eForm
Reports
- Partner Licences
Types of DED Legal Entities
There are sixteen types of legal entities that a business can opt for.
- Sole Proprietorship
- Intelaq (Home-based business for UAE Nationals)
- Branch of a Dubai-based Company
- Branch of a GCC-based Company
- One Person Company (LLC)
- Branch of a UAE-based Compay
- Civil Company
- Private Share Holding Company
- Public Share Holding Company
- Limited Liability Company
- Simple Limited Partnership
- Partnership Company
- Branch of a Foreign Company
- Representative Office
- Branch of a Free zone Company
- SME Licence
Documents Required for a DED Licence
Here is the list of documents required for the DED licence:
- Original trade name certificate
- The original initial approval certificate
- Emirates ID of all partners
- Passport and visa copy of all partners
- Tenancy contract attested by RERA Dubai and approved by Dubai Municipality
- Approval of government bodies (if applicable)
- Local service agent agreement
- Signed Memorandum of Association (MOA) valid only for:
- LLCs
- One Person Company
- Partnership Company
- Private/Public Shareholding Company
- Simple Limited Partnership
- Civil Company
Estimated Cost to Get a Trade Licence in Dubai
The cost of a DED licence depends on the type of business activity. It can cost around AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 after including all other costs.
- Licence registration fee: AED 600
- Knowledge fee: AED 10
- Innovation Fee: AED 10
- General trading activity fees: AED 15,000
- Investment activity fees: AED 15,000
- Real estate activities fees: from AED 5000 to AED 25,000
- Building contracting activities fees: AED 10,000
- DED trade Licence: AED 1,070 + AED 300 Dubai Chamber fees
- Trade name advertisements: AED 350
- Service request form: AED 50
- Foreign trade name fees: from AED 1000 to AED 3000
- Business centre fees: AED 25,000
- Intelaq licence: AED 1,070
HOW TO APPLY FOR A DED LICENCE IN DUBAI
Following are a few things business owners need to finalise to apply for a DED business licence:
- A choice between Freezone and Mainland Dubai: Before you apply for a DED licence, a business owner must choose where they want to settle their business in Mainland or Freezone.
- Decide the legal entity of the company: One of the important aspects to get the DED licence is to define the legal form of the company.
- Collect the documents required for the DED Dubai licence: After finalising the legal entity of the business, it’s time to collect the documents mentioned above to process the licence.
There are different types of business licences in Dubai, read on and find out more about them.
HOW TO LOGIN AND USE DED DUBAI ONLINE SERVICES
Once you collect all the documents, you can apply for the DED licence online.
- Visit the DED website and visit the DED homepage and click on ‘Our Services’.
- Hit the DED login button to enter. You can log in by selecting any of the options UAE-Pass, Dubai ID Login, and Guest Login.
- For Guest Login, you need to enter a phone number. Once you enter the number, you will receive a one-time password via text message.
- Enter the password
- Once you log in, you can access several DED services online.
PROCESS TO RENEW LICENCE WITH DED DUBAI
The validity of the licence is one year, after that, you must renew it. The renewal process is quite simple:
- Login to DED
- Select eServices
- Click Renew licence
- Enter your licence number
- Hit renew and pay the required fees
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO RENEW LICENCE WITH DED DUBAI
You need the following documents for DED licence renewal.
- Valid Tenancy and Ejari contract for your office
- Signed and attested MOA
- Current licence to be renewed
- Approval from RTA
You can also send an SMS to “6969” with your licence number and renew your licence through the SMS Auto-renewal system.
Here is all you need to know about DED Dubai. If you are planning to invest in properties in Dubai, then make sure you have got a trading licence from DED. In case you need any assistance, contact them on DED Dubai contact number: +971-4-445-5555 or email at info@dubaided.gov.ae.
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