Q: Hi, I would like to know please how can a new company looking for investment legally approach individuals to do so? (i.e. individuals who are not friends or family). Is it legal to post something on social media for example?

س: مرحبًا، عمري 20 سنة ولست مقيمة في دولة الإمارات. أريد أن أستأجر محل في دبي للقيام بنشاط تجاري. كيف يمكنني البدء في هذه الخطوة؟ وهل يمكنني الحصول على الإقامة في دولة الإمارات أم لا؟

س: السلام عليكم، أريد فتح شركة لبيع البرامج الإلكترونية؛ برامج توفر خدمات لأصحاب الشركات والبيع والشراء سيكون إلكترونيًا فقط. الشركاء 5-7 أشخاص. أرجو المساعدة في الإجابة على الأسئلة التالية: 1- هل مطلوب توفُّر شريك إماراتي؟ 2- ما نوع الشركة المناسب لبيع البرامج الإلكترونية؟ 3- ما الفرق بين إجراءات فتح الشركة في دبي وأبوظبي؟ 4- ما المبلغ المطلوب لفتح الشركة؟ 5- هل توجد ضرائب؟ وإن وُجدت، فما الضرائب المطلوب دفعها بعد التأسيس؟ شكرًا!

Q: Hello Mohammad, How are you? I would like to inquire if you can help us with the following: I am a co-founder of a company, a rapidly growing e-commerce startup selling Turkish home accessories to consumers in the Gulf. Until now, we've only had a registered company in Turkey, but we are intending to also establish a formal entity in the UAE to serve as our legal and financial center ASAP. As such, we are looking for some advice on which legal structure/company type would be best for us going forward. The main considerations here are: - GCC regulations. - Future valuation/fundraising/selling of the company. To give you some more context: - We are currently operating in the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, and are soon to be expanding to Oman, KSA, and Bahrain. - We plan to move our main warehouse from Turkey to the UAE. - Current annualized sales are $1M. How might you be able to help us? And what's your fee? Hoping to hear from you. Best,

Q: Dear Lawyers, What happens if I operate without a trade license (while the trade license is in process) and receive money for the work I have done?

Q: I currently live in Sharjah and have a UAE residence visa but I am not a UAE or GCC national. I want to open an online shop (Etsy or Shopify) to sell handmade items, such as crocheted goods, bookmarks, greeting cards, etc. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? If so, which license do I need to sell my products online, including UAE and worldwide? How much would it cost me? Can I keep my residence visa (sponsored by my father) and not change it?

Q: Hello, I want to understand the setup of a trading company and the compliance requirements in the UAE for trading in the Indian and US markets.

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.

شركة التوصية البسيطة هي الشركة التي تتكون من شريك متضامن أو أكثر يكونون مسؤولين شخصياً وبالتضامن عن التزامات الشركة ويكتسبون صفة التاجر، ومن شريكٍ موصٍ أو أكثر لا يكونون مسؤولين عن التزامات الشركة إلا بمقدار حصتهم في رأس المال ولا يكتسبون صفة التاجر. فالشريك المتضامن مسؤول في جميع أمواله عن التزامات الشركة.

The UAE government has announced important changes to the federal Commercial Companies Law, the most significant is related to the foreign ownership of mainland companies. This will grant foreign investors the full ownership of share capital in companies carrying out certain activities specified to that effect by the competent authorities. This means that foreign investors’ shares will not be limited anymore to a maximum of 49% like before, but can be up to 100% instead.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the amendments to the company law in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The different Emirates in the UAE have different requirements and procedures for obtaining business licenses. To register your entity, you need to follow steps and obtain approvals from the Department of Economic Development and other relevant authorities.

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