Q: Hi Sudhanshu, Hope you are well. What are my rights for establishing an e-com business meant for trading outside the UAE. 1) Do I still need the UAE trade license? 2) Can I receive payments in the UAE banks through international online business since I live in the UAE and would be here for some more time? Best regards, A.

Q: I'm a Saudi National living in the UAE and want to issue a license for my e-commerce commission-based business website for Auto/Spare parts in Ajman. We don’t stock products. We act as the middleman in the process. For example, a customer comes to our website and orders say "Brake Pads" for his/her car. Our job is to go and look across shops in the UAE to find the best deal for the customer. Then, we go back to the customer and present the best deal for this specific requested spare part. If the customer agrees to the offer, he/she then have to pay us the full amount, and then we go and get the product for him/her and take a cut percentage of 10% from the total amount paid, and then ship the product to the customer. What kind of license do we need for a business like this? I would like the license to be issued in Ajman. Also, I need to hire employees, therefore, I need a license that enables me to hire and rent an office space. Thank you.

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!

Q: Good afternoon! What certifications are required to start selling children's toys in the UAE?

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.

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 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