Dubai, a metropolis of seven Emirates United Arab Emirates (UAE), stands out as a powerful economic center at the world level. This city became a magnet for international entrepreneurs and investors thanks to its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and confident political stability. Over the past years, Dubai has grown in status thanks to a 10-percent annual growth in GDP and has become home to more than 200 nationalities that actively invest in the economy. Learn more about Dubai Mainland business setup.
Role of the industrial sector in economic diversification Dubai
Industrial sector — this foundation diversification economy of Dubai, which minimizes dependence on oil revenues, creating about 9% of the total GDP emirate. Thanks to the 25% increase in jobs over the past decade, industry contributed to strengthening economic growth. Among the leading industries that stand out is the production of construction materials, food, light, metallurgy, and electronics. In 2022, the total value of industrial production reached 44 billion dollars, which emphasizes the dynamic development industry.
Diversity and significance business-licensing in Dubai
Opening a business in Dubai requires a presence license, which ensures legality and regulation activities. The main types of licenses include:
- Commercial license: For trade and services.
- Professional license: For professional and craft activities.
- Industrial license: For production goods, covering more 30 different sectors.
Detailed process obtaining an industrial license in Dubai
- Choice type license: Initial choice depends from nature activities your enterprise.
- Registration Company: This process passes through Department economic development (DED) and includes in itself choice from more than 2000 available legal forms.
- Obtaining preliminary approval: This requires submission of a detailed business plan and other documents, guaranteeing sustainability projected activities.
- Choice and rent premises: It is necessary to consider more than 50 industrial zones with different conditions for rent and infrastructure.
- Submission documents: Full set includes in itself constitutional documents and confirmations of compliance with international standards.
- Obtaining license: Final stage, after completion all necessary procedures. The license is renewed annually, which supports high-level compliance standards.
Requirements to the applicant for obtaining industrial license
To successfully obtain an industrial license in Dubai, it is necessary to fulfill a series of key requirements, among which:
- Location: Priority placement in industrial or free zones.
- Infrastructure provision: Facilities must comply with more than 100 requirements for safety and standards design.
- Qualification personnel: Presence qualified personnel, certified and trained according to industry requirements.
- Environmental responsibility: Application new environmental solutions and technologies in production processes.
Strategies overcoming difficulties obtaining license
Obtaining an industrial license may be accompanied by a series of difficulties; however, exist several effective strategies for their overcoming:
- Complexity bureaucratic procedures: Hiring a business consultant with experience of more than 10 years in a given field can significantly facilitate the process.
- Competition for premises: Recommended study market and reserve premises for 6-12 months before starting activities.
- Compliance standards: Conclusion partnership with certified auditors helps in maintaining high-level quality.
Successful examples of production enterprises in economy Dubai
Example successful integration in economic fabric Dubai is company Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), which contributes more 8% all industrial production region. Another significant representative – is Al Ghurair Foods, which exports products to more than 50 countries in the world, showing 20% annual growth in production. These companies prove that despite difficulties, the development of the industrial sector is possible and profitable.
Industrial license occupies a key place in the implementation strategy of economic diversification in Dubai, which gives the opportunity to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and stimulate rapid development of the regional economy.

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