Abu Dhabi authorities have recently introduced a unified economic license to simplify and enhance the ease of doing business in the emirate. The United Arab Emirates is composed of seven emirates, each with its own regulations. All emirates offer the possibility to establish mainland companies and free zone companies.
The company registration process varies between these two types of companies. Business records are stored in each free zone where the company is registered. Recently, Abu Dhabi authorities have launched an initiative to unify the economic licensing registration procedures across the emirate and its free zones. This effort aims to streamline business creation while enhancing governance and transparency.
A standardized reference number will be assigned to all licenses, and company data will be kept up-to-date in a newly integrated register in Abu Dhabi. This system will simplify data management and foster collaboration between free zones and mainland authorities.
With the new system, investors will benefit from a faster and more transparent digital setup process.
Representatives from the entities responsible for economic license registration have formed a task force to ensure a smooth transition.
This initiative was launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Free Zones Council, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ), Masdar City Free Zone, and the Creative Media Authority (CMA).
