If you are thinking of investing in the Middle East, or in Dubai – one of the fastest-growing countries in the World – you might be wondering how to start a business in Dubai. Yes, a foreign visitor can indeed start a business in Dubai, which does make that country a good choice for investors who want to tap the huge market potential in the Middle East. The local population is close to eighty per cent foreign, with most of these having their own established businesses. So it’s easy to find companies willing to do business with you.
But how to start a business in Dubai if you’re not a native speaker of the language? The good news is that you don’t need to have perfect English to start a business in Dubai. Your business will be licensed for operations through the Dubai government, so all you need to do is explain your desired objectives clearly to the local sponsor. From there, everything else will fall into place.
To start a business in Dubai, you will need to find a local sponsor, who has a legal office in the city. This person will be responsible for organizing the legal procedures you need to take in order to start your new venture. He or she will also be in charge of processing your business visa. After receiving all the necessary documents and application forms, the sponsor will organize the necessary licenses and even secure you a location for your new business. In order to keep everything running smoothly, you will need to pay a small registration fee to the sponsor, which is payable directly to the Dubai government. Once this is done, you will be able to set up shop at whatever rented space you choose.
The next step on how to start a business in Dubai is finding a local supplier of the products you are planning to sell. There are many different types of businesses that can benefit from doing business with a local supplier, but some of the most popular include restaurants and hotels. Since both of these establishments require the services of a large number of people, it pays to find a good, reliable supplier within the city limits. A reputable business will always be willing to provide you with references, so contact those people and ask them about the supplier you plan to use.
Once you have found a local supplier, the next step on how to start a business in Dubai is to register your company. In order to avoid paying hefty fees for registering a new company, you should look for an outlet within the free zone. The free zones are designated by the Dubai government for businesses that wish to flourish, without any form of licensing. These outlets are usually comprised of government buildings, commercial hubs, or even parks. If you intend to operate your business out of a hotel or restaurant, you will need to obtain a hotel or restaurant license. Many hotels will only operate within the approved areas of the free zones, so make sure you find one before purchasing any equipment.
The next step on how to start a business in Dubai is preparing your company registration. When searching for the right company registration in the free zone, it is recommended that you choose a name that reflects the nature of your business. Your name could be connected to the location of your establishment, or it could represent the products or services that you are offering. Either way, the company registration should reflect the name of the company, the name of the director or shareholder, and the name of the company’s address.
After you have registered your company, you can now proceed to create the company name, as well as the necessary documents. If you do not have the time to prepare these documents on your own, you can hire a machine called the setup agent. The setup agent will take care of filling them out for you, based on the requirements that the Dubai government requires. It is important to note that all legal forms must be completely filled out and signed by all parties involved in the formation of the company. Furthermore, you will need to submit copies of any necessary licenses and permits to ensure that your business activities are legal according to the laws of the Dubai government. Machine-operated setup agents can be found in all hotels and restaurants throughout Dubai.
Once you have completed all of these business requirements, you can now hire a licensed agent to handle the business activities of your company formation. This individual should be careful not to overcharge, since the emirate government imposes strict regulations on how an agent can work. However, if you plan to hire an operator that comes recommended from a friend or colleague, it is generally safe to do so. To learn more on how to start a business in Dubai and other things that you need to know about the business options available in the city, there are several books available at business centers and at many bookstores.
