Business Set Up

Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides an attractive business environment for investors. Some of the numerous incentives offered are a liberal economic policy, political stability, the exemption from personal income tax and corporate tax for most fields of business, the existence of diversified free zones and offshore jurisdictions, unrestricted repatriation of capital and profit, the tying of the UAE Dirham (AED) to the US Dollar and the existence of agreements for the avoidance of double taxation with various countries.

Business in the UAE can successfully be done by exporting products into the UAE, by taking advantage of appointing a commercial agent or distributor, or by establishing a company in one of the seven Emirates.

Setting Up

When focusing on establishing a company, three areas have to be distinguished: (a) the territory of the UAE itself, (b) the free zones and (c) the offshore jurisdictions. Depending on the location, different laws govern the legal environment offering various opportunities to the investor.

1. Establishing a Company in the Territory of the UAE
2. Establishing a Company in a Free Zone
3. Establishing an Offshore Company
4. Choosing the Right Set Up

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