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Business Setup in Abu Dhabi

Would you like to learn about the most essential factors of start a business setup in Abu Dhabi? You need not look any further, get in touch with us. With our multifaceted group of industry professionals, we are prepared to make the process of start a business setup in Abu Dhabi more streamlined than it has ever been before.

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Business Setup & Company Formation

Post COVID, the economy of UAE has successfully made a strong comeback across the entire gamut of business activities presenting businesses and entrepreneurs across the globe with a once in a lifetime opportunity for start a Mainland, Freezone, Offshore business set up in Abu Dhabi.

Business setup in Abu Dhabi makes sense as Abu Dhabi is the largest and the most vibrant and biggest emirate in UAE and virtually acts as a bridge between the east and the west. Off late the government of UAE has made a string of favorable and positive changes like 100 percent ownership, less bureaucratic hurdles and secure environment high quality of life low taxation that has further paved way to encourage business setup in Abu Dhabi and make Abu Dhabi a global business hub.

The continuous and tireless efforts of the Government of UAE have ensured that the emirate of Abu Dhabi undergoes an image makeover from being known as the biggest oil producer of UAE to a sought after tourist destination and a nerve centre of Global business ecosystem and thus changing the common perception.

With the right guidance and support, business setup in Abu Dhabi is a seamless and smooth experience and devoid of bureaucratic hurdles and red tape and the Governmentโ€™s role is more of an enabler and facilitator and less of an enforcer and a watchdog. Irrespective of the type and scale of business that you are planning to set up, the following necessary steps and important guidelines are enumerated as a handy reference to follow.

Best business setup in UAE

Types of Company Formation & business setup

How to Setup Business in Abu Dhabi

To set up a business in Abu Dhabi, interested entities must select the business domain and sphere of business activity one wants to engage in, the government regulations, legal formalities and fees charged for different businesses is different. Zeroing in on a particular Domain of business activity in Abu Dhabi will depend on a multitude of factors like business specialty and objective. Business set up in Abu Dhabi is broadly categorized into three types.

Mainland Company Formation in Abu Dhabi

They allow full ownership and can operate across the entire country. These are also the most common type of business set in Abu Dhabi with a strong local presence.

Offshore Company Formation in Abu Dhabi

As the name implies, these businesses operate across the border and indulge in international business activities. These businesses also provide special tax concessions and enjoy confidentiality. There is no need to be physically present in the country. However, these businesses cannot conduct business activities within the country.

Free zone Company Formation in Abu Dhabi

These business enterprises allow for complete foreign ownership and special tax breaks making them lucrative for foreign businesses. There are more than 50 Free zones in UAE to choose from and operate in. It will be prudent and advisable to consult an expert consultant before choosing your business domain.

Company Registration for Business Setup in Abu Dhabi

Registering the business name is the next important activity for business setup in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development registers the trade name which restricts other companies to use that specific company name. There are certain minimum requirements which the business needs to adhere to like the name must not be immoral, must make sense with the concerned business activity, must stand out and should not have been used in the past by any business, and so on. The UAE Ministry of Economy has taken upon itself to streamline the trademark registration process and also an approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) is necessary for investors and entrepreneurs from who are not from the UAE.

Licensing Requirements for Business Setup in Abu Dhabi

Commercial License

Suitable for companies engaged in any commercial activities like import export trading, medical facilities construction companies, logistic firms, and so on.

Industrial License

This license is suitable for businesses that wish to engage in all manufacturing processing and industrial activities. However, there is a caveat that at least 51 percent of company capital must be owned by a UAE national and the business must not operate in resources like minerals, natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Professional License

This license is suitable for professionals providing professional services like doctors, engineers, legal consultants, management consultancies, educational services, artists, and experts in a particular field, and similar roles. Under this license, no more than five people can work for the licensed entity.

Tourist Services License

All activities involving travel and tourism like hotels, resorts, sight-seeing agencies, safaris and tourist entertainment services come under this license. Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural authority is the issuer of this license. Apart from these four licenses, business setup in Abu Dhabi sometimes requires specific licenses for niche business activities. Sometimes more than one license is required to operate a business. A unique one of its kind portal โ€“ Bashr – connected with government entities that provide licensing service facilities has also been started by the Government of UAE where one can start a business in as less than an hour. Online application of commercial license facility is available for residents and investors of Abu Dhabi on the official website of the UAE Government Portal.

Stature of Abu Dhabi as an investment and business setup destination has grown by leaps and bounds and given its strategic geographic location, zeal and enthusiasm of the government in facilitating business and interest of global investors and businesses the best of Abu Dhabi growth story is yet to come.

Why choose CONSULTZONE as your business setup partner in Abu Dhabi?

With over a decade of experience and expertise in guiding countless clients, we offer services across the entire spectrum right from suggesting the right business to entrepreneurs and organizations, advising the most appropriate company structure, right jurisdiction, the licenses required, trade name registration, visa formalities required and ensure both immediate and long-term time and cost value creation.

We acquaint our clients of the most common mistakes and ensure our clients avoid them.

We work very closely with all Government Authorities and ensure speedy completion of all formalities.

Apart from being the most cost effective, we take pride in immense value creation for our clients.

Having consistently enjoyed excellent ratings and client referrals across sectors and companies served which has made us the most sought after partner in setting up business in Abu Dhabi.

Why Start a Business Setup in Abu Dhabi, UAE?

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) political and administrative capital, Abu Dhabi, was founded on the back of its oil wealth. These funds have also facilitated the Gulf nation’s strong international connections. Abu Dhabi is also well-known for being a very safe tourist destination.

Recognized for its stability, Abu Dhabi has the Middle East’s fastest-rising economy. For people of all backgrounds, it’s a great place to do business. Because of its closeness to Dubai, one of the Gulf’s most sophisticated Emirates, Abu Dhabi has been able to expand and prosper. The trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai takes no more than 45 minutes. Consequently, many Abu Dhabi-based business owners are also thinking about opening a Dubai branch. Taking advantage of this chance will help the two Emirates choose a good business strategy. The ease with which Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reputed to provide procedures for company creation and business establishment is another notable quality of these two cities.

It is easy for entrepreneurs to start successful businesses in Abu Dhabi because of the city’s abundance of commercial and industrial establishments. Many different business opportunities are available to investors from around the world. Foreign investors looking to set up businesses in the UAE have several options.

FAQs Of Business setup in Abu Dhabi

Why Abu Dhabi and not some other Avenue?

It should be noted that Abu Dhabi, one of the fastest and the most resilient economic powerhouses of the Middle East, has withstood the test of time, be it the pandemic or other economic turmoil in the business world and its economy has bounced back every time it has been challenged which makes Abu Dhabi the engine of economic growth in the Middle East. It also has a welcoming and cosmopolitan environment and enjoys extremely cordial and friendly relations across the world.

Considered the melting pot of cultures and civilizations in the world and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East – it would not be wrong to say that Abu Dhabi is the perfect example of Unity In Diversity and is therefore equally welcoming to persons of all religions, countries, colors, and cultures, to name a few.

Abu Dhabi is a destination where there is tremendous support from the government for anyone setting up a business as there is very little red tape, and the rules regulations are very easy to understand, and legal framework also acts as a facilitator rather than an impediment to doing business. There is no bribery and hush money involved and most of the procedure is internet based thus reducing the possibility of middlemen. Abu Dhabi has one of the best and technologically law and order and policing system

Abu Dhabi is one of the most scenic, serene, and beautiful places on the planet with a very high quality of life which is fast paced and in sync and in fact ahead of   the rest of the world thus attracting some of the most prosperous and famous personalities across the globe both for residential as well as business reasons providing ample opportunities for people contemplating business setup opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi also acts as a bridge between the east and the west, the Arab and the Western world, where one could find people of all nationalities color and country living in peace with each other.

With the growth of lesser dependence on fossil fuels like petroleum, Abu Dhabi which is the biggest oil exporting emirate in UAE is tirelessly working on diversifying its economy from being oil based to a more inclusive and diverse economy presenting enormous opportunities for entrepreneurs to set up business and exploit never before opportunities.

What does Abu Dhabi Free Zone offer to me if I set up my business over there?

One big advantage – You can own up to 100% of your business and duty exemption like import export duties and taxes.

What is the time taken to Setup a Business in Abu Dhabi?

Time taken in setting up a business in Abu Dhabi is a rather subjective query and is going to depend on a wide variety of factors like the kind and scale of business, government policies regarding the sector the time taken may vary from less than an hour for an online business to a few months for a significantly large manufacturing business or a business belonging to a strategic category.

Is a local sponsor necessary for starting a business setup in Abu Dhabi?

For most businesses, 100% ownership is allowed. However, in some critical and specific business fields, local sponsor or partner is mandatory.

How should I ascertain that my business setup is following all laws, rules and regulations of the government of UAE?

In order to make sure that your business is following all rules and regulations of the government of Abu Dhabi and avoid unnecessary mukhalfaas (penalties), it is highly advisable to get the services of a specialized consulting firm like Consultzone. Because of the vast experience and working history of a specialized consulting firm like Consultzone, setting up a financially viable as well as legally sound business becomes an extremely smooth, enjoyable, and efficient process.

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