Uae

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing an economic transformation. Historically, much of the nation’s GDP (approximately 40%) and government revenues (about 75%) have come from the oil industry. In 2016, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the Saudi Vision 2030 plan anticipated to revolutionise Saudi Arabia’s economy, reduce dependence on oil and bolster the private sector through foreign investment by the year 2030. Now is the perfect opportunity for foreign investors looking to take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s thriving economy, and geographic location central to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. This article is a guide to six of the top sectors that offer the best business opportunities for foreign investors. Read more

Saudi Aramco, officially known as Saudi Arabian Oil Company is the largest oil producer and one of the largest integrated energy and chemicals companies in the world. It is the most profitable company in the world, with profits over the last 12 months hitting USD 279.4 billion, a figure equal to the combined total of global tech giants Apple, Alphabet and Microsoft. With such success, it is little wonder that demand to work with Aramco as a supplier is fiercely competitive and there are strict requirements to be met and rigorous standards to adhere to. This article looks at the process of becoming a supplier for Aramco, the requirements to be met and other key areas of consideration. Read more

The UAE is one of the fastest-growing markets for beauty and personal care products and services in the world. Consumers in the UAE are estimated to spend USD 247 per capita on personal care which represents the highest amount in the Middle East and 9th highest amount globally. Dubai, in particular has a predominantly young population, who are generally very image conscious and have plenty of disposable income and a strong desire to look and feel good. The demand for salons that can cater to these needs is therefore very high. If you’re considering setting up a salon in Dubai, there are several important issues to consider. This article offers practical advice and some of the key considerations. Read more

The UAE government have released new visas expanding the short and long-term residency options, making the UAE an even more attractive destination for expats from all parts of the world. The new visas are part of the most significant immigration and residency changes the UAE has ever implemented. See below the available visa options, their validity, and requirements. Read more

In just a few decades, Dubai has established itself as a centre for commerce, finance and tourism. Its modern infrastructure, business friendly policies and liberal tax regime have attracted investors from across the globe. Situated strategically at the crossroads between Asia and Africa, it has used this geographic advantage to grow and diversify its economy with foreign direct investment as the main driver. More recently, it has set its sights on the technology industry and is fast becoming a major player in this arena, challenging other established global hubs such as San Francisco, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. This article examines some of the unique advantages Dubai offers to tech businesses and some of the main considerations when setting up and running a successful tech business in the UAE. Read more

The UAE has long been an attractive investment destination for entrepreneurs, business startups and established companies looking to expand operations internationally. With a modern, digitally advanced infrastructure, favourable tax incentives and a strategic location offering easy access to the international markets of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, it’s not hard to see its appeal. Traditionally, the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have stolen the limelight, with the other 5 emirates often being overlooked by foreign investors. However, the other emirates have unique advantages and are worthy of consideration when looking at setting up a business in the UAE. This article examines the investment potential of the five smaller emirates: Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, looking at the key industries and investment options in each, and studying how to approach business set up and company maintenance in these emirates. Read more

As neighbours and the two most prominent emirates of the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai attract foreign investors and entrepreneurs in their droves. Both emirates have transformed themselves in short time into global business, banking and tourism hubs, but how do the two emirates differ from a business investment perspective, and which is the best location for your business venture? This article examines the main business sectors and investment opportunities in each emirate and the key differences between each. Read more

People are attracted to Dubai for many reasons, career opportunities, tax-free income, luxurious hotels and year-round sunshine to name just a few. The emirate is a magnet for investors and entrepreneurs and consistently ranks highly on foreign direct investment indices. Due to the absence of income tax in Dubai, people incorrectly assume that Dubai is completely tax free. While there is no income tax on income generated in Dubai and no sales tax on most goods and services, Dubai is not 100% tax-free. This article reveals the taxes imposed in Dubai and their implications for those living and doing business in the emirate. Read more

Each year, hundreds of foreign companies relocate or set up businesses in the UAE to take advantage of special tax incentives, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and access to major economies across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. However, the recent announcement of the introduction of corporate tax (CT) will have significant impacts on companies that operate within the UAE. This guide will examine the reasons for the introduction of CT in the UAE, the scope of the new tax regime and how it will impact businesses. Read more

In 2016, the Government of Dubai launched ‘Dubai Future Accelerators’ (DFA), managed by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), an initiative aimed at finding entrepreneurs, private sector organisations and talented individuals that can provide innovative solutions to local and global challenges of the future. DFA hopes to attract people with technology skills and creativity to collaborate with the DFF in turning Dubai into a global proving ground for emerging technologies. Read more