DED merges selected commercial and professional licenses to enhance ease of doing business

Merging the professional and commercial permits of related activities will help business owners to overcome obstacles and expand the scope of their work, eventually strengthening Dubai's position as an attractive investment destination.

The merger involves at least 13 commercial activities, mainly tailoring of women's clothing, air conditioning, electrical wiring, mobile phones, and hardware and security equipment. For example, business owners licensed to sell computers and accessories can also engage in professional activities such as computer systems design, computer equipment repair and maintenance, and software development for education and training.

"The new system for licensing industrial plants allows them to also obtain permits to sell their products to wholesalers and retailers through an ancillary outlet. Some professional licenses will also be eligible to sell related products to customers inside the stores, as in the case of hairdressers who will be allowed to sell hair care products to their customers," said Ahmed Ibrahim, Director of Business Registration in the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector of DED.

"DED has also modified the definition of activities related to the maintenance and general repair of vehicles. License holders in this category can now keep spare parts needed to be fitted to the vehicles of their customers, after obtaining due permission from the authorities," added Ibrahim.

DED implements various measures to continuously enhance productivity and the quality of services offered to customers, as well as facilitating business licensing.