Dubai sees rise in trade licences in Q3 2014

Trade licenses issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai during the third quarter of this year increased by three per cent from the same period of 2013 as investors remained upbeat on business prospects in the emirate, said a press statement.

Total number of new licenses issued was 4,688 with Industrial licenses registering the biggest growth of 14%, followed by Commercial (4%) and Professional (1%) licenses.

However Commercial licenses accounted for 74% - the largest share - of licenses issued during July-September 2014 while Professional licenses accounted for 24% and Industrial licenses for 1%.

“Business registration and licensing activity during the third quarter of 2014 reflects the stability of Dubai’s growth. The year-on-year growth in licenses reached eight per cent in September 2014 as DED continued to make processes easier and more competitive,” said Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, Chief Executive of Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in DED.

“With DED continuously improving its service delivery and ease of business advancing with the Dubai Smart government initiatives, customers are also able to save substantial time and effort in establishing their business,” added Al Saadi.

The total number of commercial activities licensed in Q3 2014 was 12,596 with General trade leading the list of the top 10 licensed activities (599 licences) followed by Dyes & paints (532), Tiling of floors and walls (532), Carpentry and flooring (531), Installation of suspended ceilings and light cut-outs (504), Installation of air conditioning systems, ventilation and air purification (492), Sanitary extensions & wares (489),  Installation and maintenance of electromechanical equipment (444), Plaster works (399) and Installation of wallpaper (389).

The number of professional activities licensed during the same period was 3,007. Cleaning services for buildings and residences activity led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in this category with 278 licences, followed by Restaurants (116), Special-purpose facility (114), Electrical repair and extensions (104), Business services (82), Cafes (63) and Beauty salons (48).

In the tourism sector, 55 licenses were issued and inbound tourism led the list with 33 licenses, followed by Hotel management (9), Leased apartments (6), Travel & tourism agent (4), Outbound (2) and Travel consultant (1) . Of the 113 Industrial licenses, Blacksmith & welding workshops had eight, followed by varied activities.

The number of Renewed trade licenses during Q3 2014 reached 27,717 while Amended licenses reached 19,008, both reflecting three per cent year-on-year growth.

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