Q: We are in the phase of establishing an e-commerce business that will mainly market and sell apparels and accessories within the United Arab Emirates and potentially in some of ME countries. The items intended for sale are from different well-known brands, including many brands that have either agents or retail outlets within this region. However, these items are not of the latest collections. In addition, they are liquidated from previous years’ collections and imported from different countries. For this, we have the following enquiry: - Are there any legal restrictions to trade with international brands business that have potentially agents within the country (Noting that imported items are genuine but not latest)? - Are there any other considerations you could highlight to us, or if you may provide advice on the above-intended business setup? Best regards, M. Z.

Q: Greetings! I will be running a website (blog-post + classified ads) from home, that provides services and posting ads, and it will accept membership in some countries that speak English. I am located in Dubai. Since it requires a free subscription, I want to ask if I am obliged to register it as business anywhere to be legal, or if I do not register, I will be asked or arrested for running this website. The website is under maintenance at the moment, it will be broadcasting after it is completed. Some points I am really concerned with: 1- Do I need a legal registration of the website as a business? If yes, can you help me find out how? If I register in one country - let's say UAE - will it be legal in other countries e.g UK, US? 2- GDPR is really critical point that we have to consider especially for websites that collect info from visitors if required. What are the major points that we have to focus on GDPR? Kindly help me optimize my website to get rid of any unsuspected legal issue. Regards

Q: Is it illegal to provide digital services online such as (web design and development) without a license? If so, what is the punishment for doing so?

Q: Hi I'm a Saudi citizen and I have an Emirati ID. I would like to become an authorized agent of a product in the United Arab Emirates, as the product is located in Saudi Arabia and Egypt and has quality certificates. What is required to become an authorized agent in the UAE?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I want to start doing affiliate marketing where I will run YouTube ads. Interested users can then land on my website to enter their names and email address. I can then do email marketing. I also plan to use Pinterest to help build my list. I am not paid to advertise or share content, I only get paid if people make a purchase through my link. 1. Do I need to have a license in order to do this legally in Abu Dhabi, UAE? I am aware that several licenses exist, which license is suitable for this activity? 2. Is a privacy policy adhering to international data protection laws like GDPR sufficient to protect me from lawsuits in the UAE, or does the UAE have specific requirements? If I get a template from a lawyer that is not in the UAE, is that sufficient? 3. Do you think the free privacy policy templates available online are good to avoid lawsuits for the activity I intend to do? Thank you very much!

س: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، عساكم بخير! أريد أن أستفسر من فضلكم عن موضوع إنشاء الشركات في الإمارات العربية المتحدة. نحن مجموعة من الشباب العربي اجتمعنا معًا وبدأنا في تقديم الخدمات الإلكترونية من تصميم إلى برمجة وتسويق وغيرها من الخدمات، ونريد أن نرخص هذا العمل في الإمارات العربية المتحدة. بحثنا كثيرًا عن الموضوع ودخلنا في متاهات كثيرة من التعقيد ولم نصل إلى إجابة وافية حتى الآن. إن أمكن المساعدة أو حتى رسالة بسيطة توضح فيها فقط البداية ونحن سنبحث أكثر عن الأمر نكن لك من الشاكرين وتكون قد ساعدتنا كثيرًا بذلك. الفكرة أن تواجدنا كله على الإنترنت وليس لدينا مكان فعلي لتلك الشركة التي ستكون افتراضية. مترقب ردكم وشكرًا جزيلاً!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can a person bring a product to the UAE using someone else's trading license and sell it? Or can I make a complaint against such a person? I believe that person might use another person's billbook to evade this issue. The sellers are on visit visas without a license. Suggestions, please!

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.

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.

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