Doing Business in UAE

UAE is one of the most promising and stable countries in the Arab world that has experienced substantial expansion over the last few years. The current status the UAE enjoys today as a leading commercial and trading hub is the result of years of hard work and dedication and its willingness to adopt innovative technologies.

The government has been implementing various strategies to promote technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, that helps shape the future and society. The massive investments UAE has made in these fields prove the country’s appetite for digital transformation. According to reports, AI is estimated to contribute $9.6 billion to the UAE economy by 2030— nearly 13.6 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

COUNTRY PROFILE

GEOGRAPHY

UAE spreads over an area of 83,000 sq km, along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Abu Dhabi, the federal capital of UAE, also happens to be the largest emirate, accounting for 87 percent of UAE’s total area.

The contrasting landscapes of UAE is a feast for the eyes, be it the sandy deserts, giant dunes, spectacular oases or the awe-inspiring mountains.

The size of the country might be small, but when it comes to regional and international affairs, UAE’s role is noteworthy.

POPULATION

There has been a notable increase in the population of the country over the past few years; from 4.1 million in 2005 to roughly 9.5 million in 2018.

Out of the 22 countries in the Middle East, UAE has the most diverse population. The country’s rapid growth in various economic sectors and the high standard of living has been luring expatriates from every part of the world to UAE. Expatriate workers form the majority of the population (88.5%) and UAE citizens form the minority (11.5%). The largest group of non-UAE nationals are South Asians, Egyptians and Filipinos.

GOVERNMENT

The operations of the UAE government are distributed between the federal government and the local governments of each emirate. The Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates is the chief executive body of the country and it consists of Prime Minister, two deputy prime ministers, the ministers of the UAE, and an active General Secretariat.

According to convention, the ruler of Abu Dhabi is the President of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai is the Prime Minister of the UAE.

BUSINESS CUSTOMS

The UAE gives great importance to personal relationships and mutual trust, while conducting businesses. Emirati people usually prefer to conduct business with familiar people; hence having someone introduce you will prove to be beneficial in your business relationship.

The working week in UAE starts on Sunday and the official weekend is on Friday and Saturday. Some smaller private companies close only on Friday.

Government offices open at 7.30 a.m. and close at 3.00 p.m. Private offices function for longer duration and either adopt straight shift or split shift.

LAWS

The country has issued a number of laws related to the economy, trade and investment since its formation in 1971. There are many local laws pertaining to alcohol consumption, dressing, public displays of affection, etc. in the UAE. Expats should be aware of these as ignorance of the law will not be considered or accepted as an excuse in court and breaking the law will get you into legal trouble.

Some of the major laws are Commercial Companies Law, bankruptcy law, labor law, Anti-Money Laundering law and tax laws.
UAE is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the second largest in the Arab world. GDP of the economy which stood at $382.58 Billion in 2017 is projected to trend around $425.00 Billion by the year 2020. The economy of UAE has grown by nearly 231 times, since its independence in 1971.

“UAE is the best example how visionary leaders can transform a country. UAE transformed to a world class investment destination by moving away from its early dependence on natural resources like Oil and Gas. The government’s bold decision to welcome foreign investments in property, tourism and technology lead to an unprecedented growth in UAE economy. HLB HAMT was fortunate to witness and serve the business environment in UAE in the form of consultancy and various other forms of professional services, in line with the vision of the rulers of the UAE’, says Mr. John Varghese, Founder and Managing Partner of HLB HAMT.

The UAE government is continuously adopting forward-looking changes to make the environment even more stable and sustainable for the expat population to thrive in this country.
There are numerous factors that have helped in uplifting UAE’s position as a significant regional and international business player;

Strategic Location

UAE is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, Africa and the CIS countries and it offers ready access to clients and customers in the neighboring regions.

Efficient trade policy

The UAE has a liberal trade system as it follows an exports diversification policy, wherein the country exports a wide variety of products and does not rely on a single commodity.

UAE has trade agreements with numerous countries which includes partner countries in the GCC as well. The country has been a member of World Trade Organization since 10 April 1996 and a member of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade since 8 March 1994.

Favorable government policies

The UAE has a business-friendly environment and world class infrastructure, which is evident from the increase in the number of international companies establishing their base in the country.

Economic Diversification

The UAE pursues a strategy of diversification and sees to it that an optimal balance is maintained between various sectors. Even though oil production is the biggest source of revenue, in 2015, only 30 percent of UAE’s GDP came from oil production, the rest 70 came from non-oil sectors such as media, telecom, tourism, manufacturing and commercial aviation. UAE has bagged the first spot among the Arab countries and 11th globally, in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2019 report.The country’s reforms related to ease of starting business, getting electricity, registering real estate and gaining access to credit, have helped it climb 10 spots. Overall, the UAE is far ahead of its GCC peers in global ranking.

UAE has been luring investors from across the globe with its attractive features, that are:

Flexibility to do business in any part of the country

Less restrictions on the number of visas

More business activities available for licensing

No business or personal taxes

In UAE, a company can be formed in any of the following three jurisdictions:

Mainland

Free Zone

Offshore

A mainland company is an onshore company licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) of the related emirate. The companies registered in the UAE mainland can do business in the local market as well as outside UAE without any restriction.

Free zones are areas that have a special tax, customs and imports regime and are governed by their own framework of regulations.

An offshore company is a legal business entity that operates outside its registered jurisdiction for the purpose of legally minimizing tax payment.

COMPLETE FOREIGN OWNERSHIP

Non-UAE nationals seeking to establish an entity in UAE mainland need to team up with a UAE national:

In case of a Limited Liability Company (L.L.C) with commercial activities, the UAE national will own 51 percent of shares and the non-UAE national will own the remaining 49 percent shares.

But of late, the UAE government has announced a new law that will permit complete foreign ownership in certain sectors selected by the government. Foreign investors can get complete control over 122 economic activities across 13 sectors.

The sectors include renewable energy, space, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, storage and many more. The production of solar panels, power transformers, green technology, and hybrid power plant, e-commerce transport, supply chain, logistics, and cold storage for pharmaceutical products are some of the activities included in the project.

Other areas of ownership by foreign investors include hospitality and food services, information and communications, professional, scientific and technical activities, administrative services, support services, educational activities, healthcare, art and entertainment, and construction.

The new law does not apply to free zones and offshores where 100% foreign ownership is already permitted.

In case of any other entity (primarily meant for all Companies with professional category licenses), the UAE nationals will be acting as a Local Service Agent (LSA), wherein the shares of the company will be fully owned by the ex-patriate shareholder and the UAE national will act as an agent for local contact purpose. However, all the business responsibilities and risks will be vested with the expatriate shareholder.

TRADE LICENSE

To conduct any form of business in the UAE, one must acquire a trade license. The UAE economic department is the liaising authority that issues trade licenses and the procedures of licensing vary from one emirate to another. Licenses in UAE can be divided into three;

Commercial licenses covering all kinds of trading activity

Professional licenses covering professions, services, craftsmen and artisans

Industrial licenses for establishing industrial or manufacturing activity

Carrying out business without a trade license is illegal in UAE and is subject to penalties. In addition, the license needs to be renewed every year.
The Dubai Economy had come up with an instant license service that aims to facilitate the issuance of trade licenses in Dubai in 5 minutes! You don’t have to register a trade name, legal contract or even a rent contract; businesses can be started instantly.

There is no standard price for setting up business in UAE as it depends on many factors such as;

Business activity of the firm

The jurisdiction where the company is established

Approvals and certifications

Office space and visa requirements

SETTING UP BUSINESS IN MAINLAND

Selecting the type of business/commercial activity is the primary step while setting up business. Business types are categorized into-

Commercial (Trading)

Professional (vocational)

Industrial

COMPANY TYPES

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company (LLC) can be formed by a minimum of two and a maxi¬mum of 50 persons whose liability is limited to their shares in the company’s capital. Such companies are recognized as offering a suitable structure for organizations interested in developing a long-term relationship in the local market.
LLCs can engage in any industrial, commercial, professional and tourism business.

Joint venture company

A joint venture is a contractual agreement between a foreign party and a local party licensed to engage in the desired activity. The local equity participation in the joint venture must be at least 51%, but the profit and loss distribution can be prescribed. There is no need to license the joint venture or publish the agreement. The foreign partner deals with third parties under the name of the local partner who – unless the agreement is publicized – bears all liability. In practice, joint ventures are seen as offering a suitable structure for companies working together on specific projects.

Public and Private Joint Stock Company

In a joint stock company, the capital is divided into negotiable shares of equal value, wherein each shareholder is only liable for the company’s financial obligations to the extent of their share in the capital.
A Private joint stock company can conduct only commercial and industrial activities whereas public joint stock companies can practice industrial, commercial and professional business activities.

Civil company

Qualified professionals in specialist sectors, that include doctors, accountants, lawyers, consultants, engineers, etc can form a civil company in UAE. These companies should be established as partnerships with the business owners who have professional qualifications in their field of expertise. A local agent is mandatory to start a civil company in the UAE.

Branch of a local or GCC company

A branch of a local or GCC company can be involved in activities that are included in the license of the parent company.

Branch of a Foreign and free zone Company

A branch office, legally regarded as part of its parent company, is a full-fledged business, permitted to conduct activities as specified in its license. A branch office can engage in activities similar to those of its parent company, but it is not permitted to carry on the business of importing the products of its parent company. The name and activity of the branch office will be same as that of the parent company. A branch office can conduct commercial, industrial and professional activities that are authorized on the mainland. Branch offices need to register through the Ministry of Economy.

Sole Establishment

A sole establishment is a legal entity exclusively owned by one individual. He/she will be responsible for all financial responsibilities and liabilities.
In the case of expats, sole establishments are allowed only for practicing professional services, such as management, medical, engineering and IT consultancies (under a civil company).

Benefits of setting up business on Mainland

Can trade with other businesses on the mainland

Greater scope of business activities

Can work with UAE governmental bodies

Can open an office anywhere in the UAE

FREE ZONES IN UAE

The UAE has been excelling economically over the last few decades and the lion’s share of the credit goes to free zones! Free zones in the country are undoubtedly, the strongest pillars of UAE’s robust economy. They have been fruitful in attracting remarkable amount of foreign investment, generating thousands of jobs and facilitating technology transfer into the country. More than half of UAE’s non-oil exports can be attributed to the 50 plus free zones in the country.

Dubai alone is home to more than 30 free zones, contributing significantly to the economy of the city.
Companies operating in the free zones are treated as being outside the UAE for legal purposes. The free zones are suitable for companies intending to use UAE as a regional manufacturing or distribution base, with the bulk of their business outside the UAE.

Legal entities in free zones

In a free zone, you can set up two types of companies; Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC). FZE is a single shareholder limited liability company, whereas FZC allows multiple shareholding (maximum 5). Companies can also establish a branch, a representative office or a subsidiary company of their existing or parent company.

An independent free zone authority governs each free zone and is the agency responsible for issuing free zone operating licenses and assisting companies with establishing their business in the zones. A free zone firm is governed by the rules and regulations of the free zone in which it is established.

Free Zone Advantages

The major benefits of establishing your company in a free zone are,

100% foreign ownership

100% direct tax free

100% repatriation of profit and capital

No corporate, withholding and inheritance taxes

No personal income taxes

No currency restrictions

Availability of skilled and experienced workforce

Efficient recruitment procedures

Highly developed infrastructure

High level of administrative support

Modern and efficient communication system

NOTABLE FREE ZONES

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

The oldest free zone in UAE, JAFZA, acts as a hub for the world’s biggest shipping companies. JAFZA’s total trade volume stood at a whopping amount of $83 billion in the year 2017.

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

DMCC, which is home to a vibrant community, innovative infrastructure and world-class services, provides easy access to the world’s key commodities markets.

Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)

Located adjacent to Dubai International Airport, DAFZA is one of the fastest growing airports in the world. Rapid clearance and processing of paperwork at DAFZA maximizes business activity and efficiency.

Ajman Free Zone

Ajman Free Zone, located at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, is well positioned to serve eastern and western markets. Ajman is only a few minutes’ drive away from Sharjah and Dubai and it provides easy accessibility to the two international airports and four ports.

RAK Free Zone

RAK free zone is home to more than 13,000 multinational companies from over 100 countries, representing above 50 sectors.

Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

The strategic location of the free zone coupled with excellent infrastructure and multiple facilities makes ADAFZ one of the most preferred locations to start an enterprise.

SAIF Zone

SAIF Zone is the world’s first ISO certified Airport Free zone and the only Emirate with seaports on the East and West coasts. It showers immense benefits on companies involved in aviation business, airport and related infrastructure and companies that carry out trading of perishable products.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

A leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, DIFC houses more than 2000 active registered companies with a combined workforce of almost 30,000 people. The areas of business within the centre include banking, professional services, global corporations, insurance and wealth management.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

ADGM is an international financial centre that acts as a key pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision. The free zone provides a wide spectrum of services such as banking, insurance, wealth management, asset management and capital market activities.
Certain free zones in the UAE offer dual licenses, that allows free zone companies to expand their operations and have a wider outreach in the UAE market.

The business-accommodating laws, easier labour and immigration procedures and tax structures make these free zones one of the most sought-after business locations in UAE.

OFFSHORE COMPANIES

There are numerous reasons that encourage people to set up their business offshore and tax advantages, confidentiality and minimal bureaucracy, are just a few. Going offshore has become a trend in many countries, and UAE is no exception. According to sources, the UAE is among the top 10 countries in the world that hold the highest offshore wealth.

An offshore company is a business entity that is formulated in a low-tax or no-tax jurisdiction for the purpose of legally minimizing the tax payment and improving the investor ‘s wealth management. Primarily one would open an offshore company to gain confidentiality over one’s financial affairs and grow wealth without intrusion.

Offshore companies can eliminate or minimize many types of tax payments such as on capital gains, profits on business earnings and property sales. An offshore company legitimately assists in gaining confidentiality over the investors’ financial affairs.

Offshore Benefits

An offshore company set-up offers numerous benefits to its investors; the major ones are-

Tax saving or deferral

Asset protection

Stronger privacy

Risk management

A more favorable business climate

Less bureaucracy

Exchange convertibility

No restrictions on the remittance of profits and capital

Security of property rights

Confidentiality

Notable Offshore Jurisdictions

JAFZA Offshore, Dubai

RAK Offshore

Ajman Offshore

Other features

These offshore entities may act as an individual and have all the capabilities and privileges of a natural person

A Registered Agent (legal firms, auditors, consultants) is required to be appointed by the Company from the approved list of Registered Agents

There is a general prohibition on offshore companies from conducting business within UAE

Financial activities like business in banking, insurance or reinsurance are restricted. The Company name must end with the word ‘ Limited’ or ‘ Incorporated’

An offshore company can hold shares in both offshore and onshore companies in UAE

An offshore company can hold a bank account in the UAE for conduct¬ing routine operational transactions

An offshore company cannot hire office space and cannot apply for residential visas.

Directors are mandatory for any type of business setup and their numbers vary from one jurisdiction to another. Moreover, every free zone and offshore authority will have their set of rules and regulations which will affect the role and number of directors.

Recently, the UAE government has come up with various new initiatives that aim to make the country an investor-friendly destination. The Golden card, which gives you the permission to stay in the country for a period of 10 years, is one among them.

Eligibility for a long term (10-year) visa without a sponsor

Investors who have public investments of at least AED 10 million are eligible for the long-term residency visa, provided that the investment falls in any of the below forms;

A deposit of minimum AED 10 million in an investment fund inside UAE.

Investing a capital of not less than AED 10 million in establishing a company in the country.

Partnership with an existing or a new company with minimum share value of AED10 million.

A total investment of minimum AED 10 million in all areas stated, provided that the investment in sectors except real estate is more than 60 per cent of the total investment.

The second category of individuals who can apply for long term residency visa are the ones with specialized talents, which include talents and researchers in the fields of science and knowledge such as doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, as well as creative individuals in the field of culture and art.

Executives with a salary of Dh30,000 or more can also apply for the visa, on the condition that the applicant should have at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and five years of work experience. A valid employment contract is also mandatory.

Eligibility for a 5-year visa without a sponsor

Individuals who have invested in a property in the UAE, entrepreneurs and outstanding students can apply for a 5-year visa without a sponsor. The gross value of the property in which the person has invested should not be less than AED 5 million and it must be retained for a minimum three years.

Long-term residency visa will not only benefit investors and specialized talents, it will also add value to the economy of the country.

The UAE Cabinet has also amended provisions related to the resolution on family sponsorship of foreign workers. Contrary to the previous rule that allowed only workers doing certain jobs to sponsor their families, the new rule keeps income as a criterion. This means expats can live with their families in the UAE irrespective of their profession.

The UAE cabinet’s recent decision to abolish mandatory bank guarantee for labour recruitment and replace it with a low-cost insurance system, has also been welcomed whole-heartedly by companies and individuals alike.

Latest amendments by the government doesn’t end here; it extends to widows, divorcees and their kids as well, who has the option to apply for a one-year residency visa without a sponsor.

Another change in policy comes with respect to transit passengers. They can stay in the country for 48 hours with a free visa and they can extend their stay for another 48 hours, by paying 50 Dirhams.

UAE has been witnessing high growth in the number of foreign companies being registered here. The expat-friendly initiatives by the government are one of the primary reasons behind the growth. Along with this, initiatives such as Expo 2020, that has the potential to connect companies across the globe, has also helped elevate UAE’s position as a top-notch investment hub.

“The UAE is one among the most competitive nations in the world. The aim of the country is to remain a top destination for ease of doing business, through an agile economy based on flexibility and openness”, says Mr. Jay Krishnan, Partner at HLB HAMT.