Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the best places to consider when starting a business. Over the years, the Emirate has become one of the top destinations for entrepreneurs because of its booming economy from oil production, real estate, industrial development, and tourism. One of the reasons why Abu Dhabi has become the top choice of investors and entrepreneurs is the ease of doing business.
According to World Bank’s Doing Business in 2020, Abu Dhabi was regarded to be one of the strongest regional performers when it comes to ease of doing business. With its good location and diverse economy, Abu Dhabi is becoming one of the most favorite destinations for entrepreneurs.
The ease of doing business in Abu Dhabi is one of the factors that attracts entrepreneurs and investors. Companies under the Abu Dhabi Mainland License are not required to have any minimum share capital. They are also exempted from an annual audit. However, there are exceptions to this in some jurisdictions.
Having an Abu Dhabi Mainland License lets you conduct business activities anywhere in the UAE. This allows a broader reach of consumers and customers across the region. Entering a wider market also lets you maximize your company’s increase in profit and revenue.
Unlike other business locations, Abu Dhabi offers a 2-year validity in commercial licenses. This would minimise costs and effort in annually renewing your licenses.
One of the most crucial points of starting a business is selecting your office space. In Abu Dhabi, you can choose to rent or lease a space for a very affordable price.
Abu Dhabi is known to be one of the most well-known global tourist destinations. It serves as a host for the largest commercial and sporting events which contribute to its increasing tourism sector yearly.
Companies with Abu Dhabi Mainland licenses are allowed to work with government contracts. This gives your company the opportunity to bid for different Government funded projects for a higher revenue.
Mainland companies in Abu Dhabi have the advantage of repatriating 100% of the profits and capital made by the business without any restrictions. Having an Abu Dhabi Mainland license also entitles you to 100% ownership and exempts you from income taxes. Value Added Tax (VAT) is the only tax imposed on enterprises at a rate of 5%.
The price for setting up an Abu Dhabi Mainland Company starts from AED 15,000.
Depending on the complexity of your business, and number of visa applications, setting up a company under the Abu Dhabi Mainland license usually ranges from AED 15,000 – AED 30,000.
Creative Zone can offer you different packages tailored to your business needs.
Receive an estimate of your business setup cost now!
Convert your transactions into easy and affordable monthly instalments with our selected range of banking partners. Spend a minimum of AED 1,000 on your credit card issued from any of our participating banks and repay in easy instalments over a period of 12 months.
*General terms and conditions from the banks will be applicable.
With Abu Dhabi becoming one of the hottest spots for business and tourism, it is essential to learn what type of business activities you are going to venture. Creative Zone will help you in choosing the best-suited type of activities for your company.
Issued for companies who have individuals who use their talent, intelligence, and abilities to render service to clients. This includes law, accounting, and research firms.
The Branch Office is an extension of business by a company. One can have a branch office of a foreign company, a branch office of a UAE company in Abu Dhabi. The branch office will function as its headquarters in the region. However, the import of goods is only permissible through a local trading firm.
A Public Joint Stock Company is a corporate entity with a capital minimum of AED 10,000,000. The share of this company is transferable of equal value, with each shareholder liable only to the extent of their share in the company. During the business incorporation, the business name must not be from any partnering investors.
A Private Joint Stock Company is formed through a partnership of at least 3 shareholders with a capital minimum of AED 2,000,000. Such legal entities are compatible with all sorts of industrial and commercial activities besides professional businesses.
Joint Venture in Abu Dhabi is the agreement between 2 or more natural persons or legal entities. Its objectives and terms are governed by the joint venture contract. A joint venture may be carried out only in the own name of one of the UAE national partners.
A Limited Partnership is made up of one or more general partners who are jointly liable for all the partnership’s debts and financial obligations. A limited partner may not take part in the management decisions or have his name included in the partnership’s name.
A Sole Proprietorship is a single-person-owned business. Individuals of any nationality can set up this type of business structure. Foreign professionals can also have 100% foreign ownership in the business.
Once you have selected your business activity, company structure, and trade name, you can now seek preliminary approvals from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Some of the documents needed for getting a preliminary approval are:
· Approved trade name
· For foreign investors: Approval from the Department of Naturalization and Residence, along with valid passport copies
· Copy of Emirates ID (if applicable)
· No objection certificate
Our team at Creative Zone can assist you in meeting all these requirements for a faster and hassle-free process.
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