Why Invest in Dubai

The city of gold, a shopper’s paradise, tourist destination, the ideal holiday spot, a modern metropolis - Dubai is known by many names. It is also the UAE’s fastest growing city and the commercial hub and business capital of the Middle East. Add to all this the promise of great weather, modern infrastructure, a flourishing economy, exclusivity and privacy, tax free living and a safe environment. A place where luxury can be taken for granted, where no dream is too big, where desires can be realised and the word impossible seems not to exist.
Dubai’s growth in the last decade has been phenomenal; and there are only signs of faster development, with massive real estate and leisure projects attracting international attention. Dubai has enviable infrastructure and has earned a reputation for constantly reinventing itself, chalking out strategic plans for development. As the leading regional trading hub, Dubai offers access to a market of outstanding potential for overseas companies in a wide range of sectors. Among its key characteristics are:

A growing market - Dubai’s imports have more than doubled since 1989; regional economic growth and liberalisation is set to boost demand.
A prosperous market - strategic location at the heart of one of the world’s richest regions.
A diversified market - wide import requirements; opportunities for suppliers of most product.
An accessible market - served by more than 170 shipping lines and 86 airlines.
An open market - no exchange controls quotas or trade barriers.

Dubai offers incoming business all the advantages of a highly developed economy. Its infrastructure and services match the highest international standards, facilitating efficiency, quality and service. Among the benefits are:

Free enterprise system.
Highly developed transport infrastructure.
State-of-the-art telecommunications.
Sophisticated financial and services sector.
Top international exhibition and conference venue.
High quality office and residential accommodation.
Reliable power, utilities, etc.
First class hotels, hospitals, schools, shopping malls.
Cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Overseas companies setting up in Dubai can secure cost advantages not generally available internationally. Among the reasons are:

No corporate taxes
No income taxes
No foreign exchange controls
No trade barriers
Competitive import duties (4% with many exemptions)
Competitive labour costs
Competitive energy costs
Competitive real estate costs

Dubai offers foreign companies a wide choice of business options, including:

Direct trade - selling directly to established dealers and distributors.
Commercial agency arrangements - appointee must be a UAE national or company; agreement to be registered with Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
Branch or representative office - 100% foreign ownership permitted; local agent (sponsor) must be appointed; Economic Development Department licence required.
No trade barriers
Limited liability Company - foreign ownership restricted to 49%; Economic Development Department licence required.
Special free zone investment incentives.

Dubai’s highly successful Free Zones provide all the advantages available elsewhere in the Emirate, with the following additional benefits:

100% foreign ownership and control.
Renewable 15-year guarantee of no taxation.
No customs duties.
Flexible investment options.
Efficient transport and distribution facilities.
Full administrative and recruitment support.