Q: Dear, I am an Expat (Indian) currently working in private concern as a Project Engineer. I wish to open eCommerce website with lucky draw option (If customer purchases products - T-shirts, dairy, cap...etc.) providing a ticket, and once the product is sold out, we will conduct a draw online and provide gifts. So let me know my requirements for obtaining a trade licence for eCommerce (Lowest fee in any emirate) without NOC, Terms & Condition, Privacy Policy for Website, No visa required, No Office Space required. Let me know your detailed proposal regarding this query.

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 have a friend based in Canada and runs a company (registered and based in Canada) that is into placing individuals for jobs and providing them work permits. He promotes his business to generate leads online by mentioning his Canada phone number along with my UAE number and KSA number (another friend's number in KSA). I get calls from potential leads for inquiry and I get a small % of commission for successful conversion. Will my answering calls for potential lead inquiry tantamount to business and will I need a trade license?

س: السلام عليكم، هل أستطيع بصفتي سوريًا مقيمًا في دبي ترخيص موقع إلكتروني إعلاني شبيه بموقع لينكد إن أو فيس بوك مثلاً؛ أي أنه موقع وسيط ودليل للمقاولين دون أي تجارة إلكترونية؟

Q: Hello, Is it possible and legal in the UAE to run a website with entry fees for players and a cash prize for the winners? Or Would this be considered as some sort of gambling? This is the function of our site. When the users enter the website, they will see a list of tournaments with different entry fees from which they select a prize group and compete in the respective match or matches. The final prize for each prize group is mentioned in the beginning. And before the users enter any match, they are fully aware of the entry fee and the final prize. The final prize goes to the winning team or individual. The winning team or individual is a person/team that has taken out other participants consisting of other teams/individuals that participated in the same tournament.

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.

Most entrepreneurs who have ideas for a startup seeking to implement it may face some difficulties in deciding the ideal location, activity, type of license, fees, taxes, among many others. Here are four reasons why the UAE’s thriving start-up scene is the right choice for your business.

In terms of existing companies which include Emirati partner and its activities have been availed for full ownership by Foreign investors Dubai Department of Economic Development stated that those companies will remain as is without change.

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