UAE Minister of Foreign Trade opens Business in Dubai Forum

More than 50 companies will demonstrate the latest support and solutions for start-ups and new company formation at BiD 2008. Other highlights are high-profile business conferences, networking forums, training seminars, business consultancies, and a dedicated outsourcing zone.

A comprehensive conference program will provide valuable insights on issues such as premise location; Middle Eastern business laws and requirements; bookkeeping, taxation laws and accountancy; Intellectual property, patents and protection; Training, recruitment and retention of local staff; marketing PR, branding, advertising and sales; websites, e-commerce and the internet; Planning a business and writing the plan; and raising finance and controlling cash flow, among others.

H.E. Sheikha Lubna, said:

"In less than half a century, Dubai has emerged as a dynamic international business centre, attracting a host of renowned companies and prominent entrepreneurs. The primary motivation for doing business in Dubai is our successful development of an environment that works for businesses and with businesses. Our regulatory framework bypasses corporate and income tax, poses no restrictions on capital repatriation and does not espouse foreign exchange controls, trade barriers or quotas. Our Free zones, just some of numerous favourable investor incentives and protections, offer 100 per cent ownership."

Dubai offers numerous business and investment advantages, such as a diversified economy, a highly skilled multinational workforce, a low-cost work environment, and business-friendly policies. It also enjoys a favourable geographic location which places it near the vibrant markets of Central Asia, Europe, Southern Asia, Western Asia, India and China. An impressive 139 of the Global 500 multinational companies maintain a presence in the Dubai, with 9 of the top 10 in the group actively operating in the local markets. Economic activities within the progressive emirate were instrumental in prompting the World Trade Organization to name the UAE as one of the world's top 30 trading countries.

"Dubai means business, and business means Dubai. The opportunities are here, all it takes is for forward-thinking organizations and individuals to take the step forward and avail of the numerous prospects the emirate holds. This Forum erases the how-tos of doing business in Dubai and focuses instead on answering the question of 'when' with a resounding NOW," concluded H.E. Sheikha Lubna.