All You Need to Know About Business in Dubai

Q: What is the most common business in Dubai?

Small to medium size enterprises make up 90% of the economy. Key sectors driving economic growth include transportation, the financial industry, wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food service, real estate, and manufacturing.

Q: Can I start a business in Dubai as a foreigner?

Yes, foreigners can start a business in Dubai and own 100% of their business.

Q: What are the potential business opportunities in Dubai?

Some of the potential business opportunities in Dubai include IT solutions, manufacturing business, e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, digital printing, tourism services, consultancy service, cloud kitchens, automotive, real estate, F&B, retail, fashion and beauty.

Q: Is Dubai a good place to start a business?

Dubai is the best city to start a business in. It offers a wide range of commercially affluent services, including direct foreign investments, innovative expansions and technological advancements.

Why Dubai
- Family offices
  The region’s largest hub for private wealth and business
  Headquarters
  Dubai: your preferred global arena for business
  Manufacturers
  Be a part of building Dubai's global industrial powerhouse
  Multinational corporations
  Attracting the world’s best MNCs and conglomerates
  VC and PE companies
  Catalysing venture capital and private equity growth
  D33 Agenda
  Dubai's Economic Agenda "D33" aims to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033, making it one of the top 3 cities for living, investing, and working.
  Dubai Traders
  Become a key player in Dubai's digital economy with an initiative for SMEs
Industries
- Construction and real estate
  Find globally-renowned real estate investment markets
  Energy and cleantech
  Discover how Dubai prioritises green transformation
  Finance and wealth
  Dubai – a nexus of prosperity and innovation
  Food and agriculture
  A pivotal trade gateway between the east and west
  Retail and e-commerce
  A global destination for diverse goods and services
  Technology and ICT
  Learn how Dubai pushes the boundaries of innovation
  Trade and logistics
  A strategic gateway for busy commercial routes
  Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
  Explore world-class healthcare infrastructure
  Design, media and entertainment
  A trailblazer in the region’s booming creative industry
Setting up a business
- Company set-up options
  See a comparison of mainland and free-zone business options
  Mainland companies
  Details of setting up a mainland company in Dubai
  Free zone companies
  Learn about the benefits of Dubai's free zones
  Employees and administration
  Get your new Dubai business up and running
  Regulations, laws and tax
  Introduction to Dubai's rules and regulations
  Support for SMEs
  Funding and resources for start-ups and SMEs
  Support for manufacturers and exporters
  Find set-up resources and grow your global footprint from Dubai
  Business set-up services
  Access Dubai Government services for companies
  Dubai Unified Licence
  Find out all you need to know about the Dubai Unified Licence programme
Live and work
- Visas and entry
  Find visa requirements by country and trip type
  Get a job
  Discover how to start and grow your career in Dubai
  Open a bank account
  Your guide to setting up a personal bank account in Dubai
  Dubai neighbourhoods
  Explore the city's popular and emerging areas for residents
  Introduction to real estate
  All you need to know about Dubai's property landscape
  Roads and driving
  Understand rules and processes for driving in Dubai
  Public transport
  Browse options for getting around Dubai conveniently
  Education ecosystem
  Get started with an academic journey in Dubai
  Health and wellness
  Empower yourself with access to a healthy lifestyle
  Resources for city living
  Optimise your daily life with useful apps and more
  Work remotely
  One-year Dubai virtual working and residency programme
  Practical information
  Helpful information and tips for your stay
  Accommodation
  A wide range of options for short and long term stays
- Work remotely from Dubai
Insights and resources
- Articles and guides
  Explore the latest articles and industry and market guides
  Annual FDI reports
  Find data on Dubai's previous FDI reports, detailed by year
Contact us
- General query
  Get in touch if you have a general question