Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a prime destination for entrepreneurs and investors. Traditionally reliant on its vast oil reserves—the second largest in the world—the Kingdom is now undergoing a significant economic transformation. Under the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Arabia is diversifying its economy, creating a wealth of opportunities across various sectors. The government is rolling out numerous incentives to attract foreign investment, including loan programmes, attractive land solutions, tax credits and exemptions, and financial incentives for research and development, making it an opportune time for entrepreneurs to explore this dynamic and rapidly evolving market. Read more

Dubai holds a perennial appeal for entrepreneurship. Each year tens of thousands of new business licences are issued as entrepreneurs flock to the Emirate in search of lucrative opportunities. It’s easy to see why. The Emirate offers a unique blend of tax incentives, a strategic location at the crossroads of major global trade routes and flexible economic policies that encourage foreign investment and make it easy to start and scale a business. With such a conducive environment for business, all you need to succeed is a visionary idea and the drive to make it happen. So, here is a look at some of the current emerging business trends poised to reshape the marketplace in the coming months and years. Read more

Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest emirate of the UAE, plays a pivotal role in the country's economy, contributing about two-thirds of the roughly $503 billion national GDP. It controls more than 90% of the country’s oil reserves and 95% of its natural gas reserves, making it a key player in the global energy market. However, Abu Dhabi is much more than just an oil powerhouse. Sustained investment in knowledge-based industries has enabled it to diversify into sectors such as aviation, clean technology, financial services, legal services tourism, logistics and education which now collectively contribute over 60% to the emirate’s GDP. This has opened up opportunities for investment and made the emirate an attractive destination for international businesses looking for a stable and progressive environment to expand their operations. Read more

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in Saudi Arabia has issued a policy update regarding the new deadlines for submission and management of establishment locations in Saudi through the QIWA portal. Read more

The worldwide interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the resulting innovation has been experiencing increasing advancements in recent years, with a significant rise in businesses looking to explore the opportunities associated with this technology. With increasing demand and efficiency for AI solutions, by starting an AI business there is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage with the development of AI influenced products and services in this growing industry. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), AI has recently been announced as a regulated activity. This means that businesses engaging with AI will be required to obtain approvals from the relevant regulatory authority, in order to be licenced for AI activities in the UAE. Read more

PPG as part of the Sovereign Group has developed a comprehensive programme comparison chart to approach each case individually for residency by investment, business incubation programmes or financially independent individuals. With the ability for expats to explore opportunities on a global scale, it is important to be able to showcase and assess all available options. Expat communities maximise their opportunities while abroad to secure a better future for themselves and their families. We are here to help make that happen and to present the best options to suit your needs. Discuss your future now with Sovereign PPG. Read more

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen the new investment opportunities that arise from Virtual Assets (VA) and is capitalising on the emerging digital space to facilitate foreign direct investment into the UAE economy. Virtual Assets regulators were first launched in March 2022 and have seen rapid development in the last two years at the local and federal levels. Read more

Bahrain is one of the most open investment destinations in the Middle East. Renowned for its liberal economic policies that actively encourage foreign investment and trade, it offers a unique business environment with full exemption from taxes, zero customs duties, and the possibility of 100% foreign ownership across most sectors without the need for a local partner. The country boasts three Free Trade Zones (FTZs), each tailored to cater specifically to different sectors of the global market with unique infrastructural advantages and strategic positioning. Read more

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, stands as a significant business hub in the Middle East. The city boasts several free zones, which are specialised areas offering a wealth of advantages to businesses looking to establish or expand their presence. These free zones are renowned for providing 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of profits, tax exemptions, and simplified company setup processes. Designed to cater to a diverse array of industries, each free zone in Abu Dhabi is uniquely tailored to support specific business activities. This article looks at the free zones in Abu Dhabi, providing an overview and an analysis of their associated costs. Read more

Ship chandlers play a pivotal role in maritime commerce, supplying vessels with essential goods and services—from food provisions and cabin stores to deck and engine supplies, ensuring they’re fully stocked and equipped for their global journeys. Dubai, with its strategic location at the crossroads of major international shipping lanes and with links to more than 220 ports worldwide, offers fertile ground for ship chandlers. The Emirate has emerged as a global maritime hub, supporting over 13,000 maritime businesses and activities and providing unparalleled access to one of the busiest shipping routes worldwide. It’s also home to Jebel Ali Port, one of the world's largest man-made harbours, handling over 14 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, showcasing its immense capacity and strategic importance. This, coupled with a business-friendly environment that promotes growth and innovation in maritime services, provides the ideal backdrop to support the critical operations of ship chandling companies. This article looks in more detail at the unique opportunities for ship chandling in Dubai as well as the key considerations for launching and managing a ship chandling company. Read more