How to open a company with a general trading licence in Dubai, UAE

The United Arab Emirates is known for its business-friendly environment and the many opportunities it offers to entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in the local market and expand internationally. The city's dynamic economy is driven by its many industries, including the trading sector.

General trading issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED). It authorises the holder to engage in a variety of trading activities on the UAE mainland. Unlike the free zone general trading licence which restricts you to a specific economic zone, the mainland licence offers the flexibility to operate anywhere in the UAE.

The general licence includes trading in any type of goods, apart from some exceptions in particularly regulated industries. For example, household goods, electronics, clothing, etc. The advantage of general trading is that you do not have to obtain a licence to trade in every single type of product. It gives you the right to trade in a variety of unrelated goods ranging from food, clothing and toys to computer components, building materials and jewellery. It is worth noting that a general trading licence is usually available at a higher price, given its flexibility to allow you as an investor to carry out multiple trading operations.

Before you start registering your business, you need to select the most promising jurisdiction for you and decide on the legal form of the company. When choosing a business name, it is worth familiarising yourself with government requirements. Important criteria are uniqueness and relevance to the planned activity.

At the stage of applying for this type of licence, it is important to specify what goods you plan to trade in. The regulator will check your documents and issue a licence. You can then start the visa and account opening process.
Opening a company with a universal licence can be the key to running a successful and profitable business in the UAE. Thanks to the smooth and efficient work of Openbiz specialists, the whole process will go smoothly and quickly. Sign up for a free consultation and find out how to open a company with a general trading licence in Dubai.

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