Dubai is moving to further streamline and digitalise the business approval and license process in the emirate, with its Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) announcing launch of the ‘Dubai Unified Licence’ (DUL), which will assign a unique commercial identification to all businesses in the emirate.
Issued to existing and newly established businesses in Dubai, operating with either a mainland or a free zone licence, the DUL initiative introduces a unified digital registry.
Launched in collaboration with the Dubai Free Zones Council, the registry will consolidate all economic establishments in Dubai and its Free Zones into a single platform for data management, collation and sharing, serving as a reliable single digital information source.
The initiative aims to standardise and streamline Dubai’s business processes in accordance with global best practices, ensuring that the latest company records, including licence details and data, are consistently maintained within the registry.
Streamlined approach
The ‘Dubai Unified Licence’ is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce the time required for companies to establish and manage their operations by simplifying the setup and operational procedures for businesses in the emirate.
The move is in line with the authorities’ bid to further bolster Dubai’s competitiveness as a business-friendly destination.
The latest decision is expected to be particularly attractive to international investors and entrepreneurs seeking a hassle-free business environment, further solidifying Dubai’s appeal as a preferred global business hub.
Additionally, the unified digital platform will ensure greater transparency and ease of access to business-related information, further enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a dynamic and trustworthy investment destination.
As part of the initiative, establishments will undergo thorough validation, verification and screening by the appropriate authorities in order to receive their unique digital identity.
To date, DET has issued over 50,000 licences, with plans to issue more in the coming period, covering all registered companies in Dubai mainland and in Free Zones.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said the city’s forward-thinking mindset has spurred strategic initiatives, plans and policies fostering sustainable economic growth and consolidating Dubai’s standing as a global city of innovation and excellence.
“The ‘Dubai Unified Licence’, a key initiative within the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, exemplifies our dedication to facilitating ease of doing business, promoting transparency, and embracing digital-first practices,” he said.
Al Marri said the new initiative will also seamlessly integrate with Dubai’s advanced digital technology infrastructure and harnesses the smart city capabilities to drive business growth and strengthen Dubai’s position among the world’s top three global cities.
Collaboration between DET, Dubai Free Zones
DET has collaborated closely with the Dubai Free Zones Council to ensure the seamless implementation of the DUL initiative and ensuring integration of the diverse aspects of the initiative.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Secretary-General of the Dubai Free Zones Council, said the successful completion of the ‘Dubai Unified Licence’ initiative is a testament to the teamwork and constructive cooperation among the Dubai Free Zones Council, the Free Zones Authorities in Dubai and the DET team.
“It has established a model for synergising efforts across various specialities, resulting in the achievement of a unified licence system in record time,” Al Zarooni said.
The DUL is to facilitate easy access to company information for government entities, service providers and the public.
Businesses are to be allocated a licence number specific to the mainland or free zone authority of their incorporation, promoting efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
The DUL will enable instant data sharing between government entities, the private sector and service providers , with a digital repository and consent capability.
Besides, the DUL also reinforces the compliance framework outlined in the national AML/CFT strategy, ensuring the integrity of the UAE economy and the global financial system.
Dubai Unified Licence streamlines business verification in emirate
The DUL presents a range of key features and benefits for users such as providing access to verified DUL data housed in a digital repository and streamlining business verification processes in various interactions.
The issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and permits for economic activities is simplified through a unified and streamlined process.
Furthermore, the DUL offers unified and verified information about existing businesses, proving advantageous for prospective owners seeking details about operating businesses in the emirate. Looking ahead, the DUL aims to facilitate banks in opening accounts for Dubai-based companies with enhanced ease and efficiency.
Ahmad Khalifa Al Qaizi Al Falasi, CEO of Dubai Business Licence Corporation (DBLC), said the launch of the DUL is another significant milestone in digitalising government services in the emirate.
“This initiative provides a unified identification for all economic establishments, creating a centralised database while adhering to privacy policies,” he said.
Businesses can use their unique DUL QR Code on their premises, websites and social media accounts instead of presenting the traditional trade licence certificates.
This QR Code will enable government entities, service providers, suppliers and customers to scan and retrieve information about the company.
During the current phase, existing businesses and commercial establishments in Dubai, including those in free zones, will receive their unique ‘Dubai Unified Licence’ Number and associated QR codes upon completion of the data update process.
DET’s Dubai Business Licence Corporation, will oversee the operation, management, development and supervision of the DUL system, while the Dubai Free Zones Council will coordinate with each free zone to regularly communicate with their respective licence holders to collect updated licence data and contact information.
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