Picture used for illustrative purpose. File

The Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector of Dubai Economy issued 4,567 new licences in January 2021, an increase of 9 per cent from the 4,172 new licences issued in January 2020.

Among the new licenses issued in January 2021, 58 per cent were professional, followed by 40 per cent commercial, and the rest were distributed among tourism and industrial activities.

According to the main areas, Deira accounted for the largest share (2,425) of the new licenses followed by Bur Dubai (2,135), and Hatta (7).

The figures reflect Dubai’s resilience as well as the emirate’s economic competitiveness, including its ability to provide businesses high-growth opportunities in various economic sectors.

The figures demonstrate the UAE’s success in maintaining its growth and development momentum and reinforcing its position as a leading global economic and business destination.

The increase in new licences also shows the private sector’s growing role as a key partner in Dubai’s economic development as well as the emirate’s constant efforts to provide a supportive environment and infrastructure for local and international businesses.

According to the legal forms of the licenses issued in January 2021, Sole Establishments accounted for 42 per cent of the total, followed by Limited Liability companies 32 per cent, and Civil Works at 22 per cent. The rest of the legal forms included; One-Person Limited Liability Companies; Branches of companies based in other Emirates; Branches of Free Zone Companies; Branches of Foreign Companies; and Branches of Gulf Companies.

The activities of the new licenses issued during January 2021 included: Other professional services; Contracting and related matters; Building maintenance, guards and cleaning; Cleaning services; Ready-made garments; Information technology; Other business activities; Electronics group; Food trade; Restaurants and cafes.

Dubai Economy strives to deliver solutions that contribute to enhancing ease of doing business in the emirate and expanding investment and growth, which in turn maintain a sustainable economy.

The increase in new licenses also shows the private sector’s growing role as a key partner in Dubai’s economic development as well as the emirate’s constant efforts to provide a supportive environment and infrastructure for local and international businesses.

The Business Map, www.dubaibusinessmap.ae, seeks to reflect the economic realities in Dubai by providing vital data on each license category including their numbers and distribution as well as trends on a monthly basis.

It also includes an interactive guide explaining the geographic distribution and concentration of major business activities and the rate of urban growth in terms of expanding neighbourhoods and business licenses.

Dubai Economy (Department of Economic Development - Government of Dubai) is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE. Dubai Economy supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth.

Dubai Economy and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.

Dubai Economy earlier announced that it registered a four per cent growth in new licences in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic and slowdown in the global economy.

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development, or Dubai Economy, said that it issued 42,640 new licences last year as against 40,891 new licences issued in 2019. It also recorded 15 per cent surge in licence renewals last year and said latest data reflects the resilience of the national economy. According to a recent report of Dubai Economy’s Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector, 64 per cent of the new licences issued in 2020 were professional (27,307), 35 per cent were commercial (14,754) and the rest were distributed among tourism and industrial activities.

“The latest figures reflect the UAE’s and Dubai’s resilience as well as the emirate’s economic competitiveness, including its ability to provide businesses high-growth opportunities in various economic sectors,” Dubai Economy said.

Bur Dubai accounted for the largest share (22,276) of new licences followed by Deira (20,293), and Hatta (71). The top sub-regions were Al Khabaisi, Al Fahidi, Al Garhoud, Trade Centre 1, Burj Khalifa, Port Saeed, Oud Al Muteena 3, Oud Metha, and Hor Al Anz East.

According to the report, 346,375 business registration and licensing transactions were completed in 2020, a growth of three per cent compared to 2019 (337,752). The figures highlight Dubai Economy’s vital role in providing value-added services to businesses in Dubai. The report also showed that Licence Renewals accounted for 162,762 transactions in 2020, a 15 per cent growth compared to 2019 (141,788).