In Brief:

• The new Licensing Law, through a single portal, aims to facilitate improved coordination between various relevant authorities to regulate economic activity in Dubai, particularly with respect to licensing and permissions for small and medium sized businesses.

• The new Licensing Law has assigned the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) the task of overseeing this move towards a streamlined process for licensing as well as, more generally, regulating various economic activities in Dubai, outside the free zones.

• It remains to be seen how successful the new Licensing Law will be in promoting Dubai as an investment-friendly environment, and what, if any, effect it will have on both Dubai and free zone companies seeking to do business in Dubai; therefore, ongoing consultations with the DED and any other relevant regulators will be required for those investors seeking to operate in Dubai.

Introduction