Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Underlining the strong interest of Chinese investors in the competitive business environment of Dubai, 362 business licences were issued to 696 Chinese investors during the first six months of this year, according to according to a report issued by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai.

Of these, 58 per cent (210) licences were issued for commercial activities followed by 41 per cent (149) for professional activities and the rest three were industrial licences. The number of female Chinese investors is 241 (35%), compared with 455 male investors (65%).

The figures show that Dubai is a favorite destination for Chinese investors and entrepreneurs led by the emirate’s strategic location and diversified economy. Dubai’s safe environment for living, working, investing and its diversified economic climate attract investments in all business sectors, assuring long-term growth and returns. The popularity of Dubai among Chinese entrepreneurs also reflects the strong bilateral relations between the UAE and China.

Of the total number of licences issued, 225 are for Limited Liability Companies, 113 for Sole Proprietorship companies, 15 for Civil Companies, three for branches of Foreign Companies, three for branches of Companies based in other emirates, as well as one Limited Liability Company, one Free Zone Branch, and one Government Commercial Liaison Office.

Burj Khalifa area accounted for the largest share of the Chinese licences issued during the first half of 2019, followed by Al Fahidi, Riggat Al Buteen, Port Saeed, Naif, Al Rigga, Al Nahda 1, Al Barsha 1, Al Bada and Al Khabaisi.

Readymade Garments topped the list of the business activities by the Chinese investors, followed by Textiles, Footwear, Handbags and leather products, General trade, Gifts, Blankets, towels and household linen, Perfumes and cosmetics, Bags and travel supplies, Children’s clothing, and Ornaments of non-precious metals.

The top professional activities included Women’s salon, Physiotherapy centre, Health club, Coffee shop, Men’s salon, Restaurants, Computer systems design and communication equipment, Health and therapeutic services, Electronic games, Watches repair and IT infrastructure.

The industrial activities included: Processing of oils and vegetable fats, Manufacturing of animal fats and oils, Production of dry grain foods, Meat freezing, Wood products, Grain Processing, Processing of herbal plants, Rice peeling, whitening and polishing, and Grain grinding.

The Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in Dubai Economy has confirmed its support to ‘DED Café,’ an outsourced service centre in Palm Strip Jumeirah that integrates cutting-edge technology to offer fully digitised business registration and licensing services and an improved customer experience. The Café has been launched in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform service outlets across government departments into customer happiness centres.

Meanwhile, “the ‘DED Café’ is a commendable initiative to align doing business with creativity and the stated goal of Dubai to be the smartest and happiest city in the world. The Café will further empower local and global business community in Dubai and reinforce the emirate’s reputation as a competitive business hub for sustainable growth. It’s an initiative that confirms doing business in Dubai is not confined by boundaries of time or geography,” said Omar Almeheiri, Director of Business Development & Follow Up in BRL.

Almeheiri added that the ‘DED Café’ is an initiative in line with the government’s directives to create innovative customer service models and enhance Dubai’s reputation as an ideal destination for business growth and investment. Dubai Economy is constantly striving to reach a stage of excellence and leadership to improve the emirate’s global competitiveness.

Najla Ibrahim Al Shamsi, Founder and Owner of ‘DED Café’, said “The Café features the latest technology to provide business license holders with 24/7 access to BRL services as well as the flexibility and convenience of a Café environment and assistance from qualified service advisors. Businessmen can have their transactions completed over a cup of coffee or from the comfort of their cars, and also earn loyalty points for the time spent at the Café”.

Al Shamsi praised the co-operation and co-ordination extended by Dubai Economy and its support for entrepreneurs. “The ‘DED Café’ will ensure that we have qualified and experienced human resources capable of provide services of exceptional standards. We are grateful to Dubai Economy for the trust they have placed in us, thus giving us an opportunity to prove ourselves.”

Customers can walk into the reception at the Café, or drive through, and ask for the service required to complete the transaction within minutes on the DED Café app. Customers can alternatively choose to be assisted by a customer service executive and relax in the café while their transaction is completed.