Q: I'm working on starting an online services company where the service will also be provided by the members of the online platform (similar to Uber model). My concern is whether it is legal in the UAE to pay members online through platforms like Paypal or not?

Q: Morning. I would like to open a high-end bespoke shoe service. Customers will be able to book an appointment online thru the website, I will go to their homes to advise the model/colour/type of the shoe and finalise the order. I will then order from a shoemaker in Argentina who will deliver the final product to Dubai. My idea is to get an online trading licence in a free zone to do the consultancy part and partner with someone with a mainland licence who will import the shoes and sell to the customer. I would like to double check the following: - Can I take care of the marketing and order taking with my licence, and resell through a reseller? - Do I need to establish a contract between myself and the reseller? Thanks for your advice

Q: Hello I want to open an online store (e-commerce) in Dubai, it will be online clothing store and I will receive the clothes from China by courier and sell it in Dubai. Customers can complete the payment with Pay Pal. So I would like to know if I need to register this online store, and if yes, what's the procedure. Since the items will be shipped from overseas, then maybe I do not need even to register it. Please advise

Q: I am planning to start an online aggregator business in the UAE, specifically for electronic goods. i.e. when you search for, say, a mobile phone on my site, we will gather the information from all other platforms and let you know where you can find the cheapest one. I want to know: am I legally bound to tie up or inform the e-commerce websites whose links we will be using? Example: if you search for a phone on the website, we will compare and show prices of it on various platforms like Emax, Amazon, Noon, etc. for you to choose and make a choice. So, legally, where do I stand? Do I need permission or not? Since we are not selling anything so it is not under e-commerce rules. Please help!

Q: I want to know if I can form an eCommerce company with 2 partners (me and my wife). And can I assign some responsibilities to take over from there? In this case, how will the children be under what sponsorship (I have 3 kids)?

Q: Hello, My company, already established in the Nederlands, wants to launch a website addressed to UAE users. Our service puts companies in contact with possible clients. The companies will pay us on our website. Can we just launch the website or we need a special license? Thanks in advance!

Q: I am currently working in an organization on an unlimited contract, however, I would like to enter into a business partnership and put my name on the trade license of the new company. I will, however, still be working in my current company. Can I enter into a business partnership directly or do I need to get a NOC? My current employer has no restriction on doing business in our contract neither does the new business violate the non-compete clause. If I need to get a NOC, then how do I do it? Do I simply request my current company to give a NOC? Your help is much appreciated. Thank you in advance

Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.

The UAE has had tremendous economic development over the last two decades, which can be attributed to the country’s expanding market and large inflow of investments. The demonstrated level of preparedness and equanimity is evident in the legislative framework, characterized by the ongoing and systematic updates of laws. This proactive approach aims to align the legal landscape with the dynamic trajectory of economic advancement, ensuring continual synchronization with the prevailing progress.

The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as the "New E-commerce Law", govern E-commerce regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New E-commerce Law repeals the previous UAE E-commerce Law (Federal Law No. (1) of 2006 Concerning Electronic Transactions & Commerce).

Cabinet Resolution No. (28) of 2023 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services