Business Types and Activities in Dubai, UAE
Over 2,100 Activities Available
Reviews
Over 2,100 Activities Available
Reviews
UAE offers a variety of business activities to suit all business needs
There are three types of trade licenses in UAE that you can apply for, depending on your business activity. Businesses involved in providing services need a professional license, and those involved in buying or purchasing goods will need a commercial license. Any company that wants to undertake manufacturing activities in UAE needs an industrial license. While applying for a trade license, you must clearly define all the activities you wish to undertake under the main company license. To know how to apply for your trade license in Dubai, please contact Shuraa Business Setup.
DED and its Functions The Department of Economic Development Dubai is the government agency responsible for the supervision and regulation of the emirate's economic agenda. It is the regulatory authority that establishes infrastructure, technological elements and regulations to facilitate local and foreign investors. Among the scope of its many responsibilities, the DED also provides all services related to the issuance, modification, and administration of business licenses in the UAE. There are currently over 2,100 business activities for which the DED issues licenses.
Dubai Economic Department Activity List To start and conduct a business in the UAE, it is mandatory to have a recognised license issues by the Economic Department Dubai. Activities are generally gathered under three categories: commercial, professional and industrial licenses. Here is a detailed business activity list that DED offers to entrepreneurs in Dubai.
| # | Advertising | Aircraft and Train Spare Parts Trading | Amusement Equipment and Supplies Trading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animal Skin Trading | Art Production | Auto Spare Parts Trading |
| 2 | Bags, Packaging Materials and Paper Trading | Banks, Finance and Credit Group | Beauty and Baby Care Requisites |
| 3 | Broadcasting and Communications | Building Maintenance | Building Materials Trading |
| 4 | Car Rent and Passenger Transport | Chemicals Trading | Cinema and Theaters |
| 5 | Cleaning Equipment Trading | Commercial Brokerage | Consumer Stores Group |
| 6 | Contracting and Building Works | Cooperation Societies | Domestic Gas Distribution |
| 7 | Electricals Trading | Electronics Group | Exchange and Financial Services |
| 8 | Facility Management | Filling Station | Fish Trading |
| 9 | Flour Mills | Flowers and Plants | Fodders and Animal Food Trading |
| 10 | Foodstuff Supply | Foodstuff Trading | Fuel and Petroleum Products Trading |
Showing 1 to 10 of 25 entries
| # | Appliances and Machinery Manufacturing | Block and Building Stones Industry | Bread Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carpet and Mat Manufacturing | Casting of Steel and Iron | Charcoal Production |
| 2 | Coating, Insulations, Seals and Protection Materials Manufacturing | Cotton and Metal Nets and Ropes Manufacturing | Equipment and Engines Manufacturing |
| 3 | Fish Canning and Freezing | Fodder and Fertilizers Manufacturing | Food Industries |
| 4 | Foodstuff Mills and Packaging | Glass and Chinaware Manufacturing | Glass Industries |
| 5 | Goldsmith and Gold Repairing | Lenses Cutting and Glass Repairing | Light Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance |
| 6 | Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | Manufacture of Batteries | Manufacture of Eyeglasses |
| 7 | Manufacture of Gold and Precious Stones Cutting | Manufacture of Mats and Rugs | Manufacture of Medicines |
| 8 | Manufacture of Motor Vehicles | Motorcycles and its Spare Parts | Manufacture of Petroleum Products |
| 9 | Manufacture of Tyres and Rubber Products | Manufacturing of Bags, Shoes and Leather Products | Manufacturing of Chemicals |
| 10 | Manufacturing of Garments and Rugs | Manufacturing of Paper and Paper Products | Manufacturing of Tobacco and Cigarettes |
Showing 1 to 10 of 18 entries
| # | Accounts | Agricultural | Animal Welfare Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applied Studies | Business and Professional Organizations | Business Aviation Association |
| 2 | Business Council | Businessmen Forum | Car Registration and Transfer Services |
| 3 | Charity Market | Charity Society | Cleaning Services |
| 4 | Combing and Upholstery | Commercial Library | Consultancy -A- Agriculture and Soil |
| 5 | Consultancy -B- Engineering | Consultancy -C- Petrol and Water | Consultancy -D- Management |
| 6 | Information and Marketing | Documents Destroying and Storage | Education |
| 7 | Event Organizers | Exhibition Organizers | Facilities Management Group |
| 8 | Finance Consultants | Fishing and Fish Farming | Fishing Cages and Net Manufacturing |
| 9 | Gents Salon | Gents Tailoring and Design | Government Liaison office |
| 10 | Halls and Exhibition | Handicraft Workshops | Hospitals and Recovery Houses |
Showing 1 to 10 of 24 entries
Once entrepreneurs have made their choice from the DED activities list, they can then take the next step to apply for a Dubai trade license. Consultancies such as Shuraa Business Setup can help guide you to make the correct choices that will help your business grow. We offer curated UAE business setup packages which also allow you to combine professional and commercial activities depending on your business requirements.
The Dubai Economic Department allows expats to form companies under several legal structures. Entrepreneurs can choose from the following forms depending on their business requirements such as number of partners, choice of jurisdiction, profit-sharing agreements & more.
The Dubai DED activity list can be confusing for business owners and companies who may be unsure as to which activities they need to select to conduct operations successfully in the UAE. They may need to select a combination of professional & commercial activities from the Dubai trade license activities list. Additionally, it is important to consider other factors such as jurisdiction (mainland, free zone or offshore), company type, profit model etc.
Shuraa Business Setup is the highest-rated business setup consultancy in the UAE, providing expert guidance and comprehensive service to help entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses seamlessly.
Had a great experience with Shuraa?
Your feedback helps other entrepreneurs make the right choice.
One conversation is all it takes. Connect with our experts for personalised advice on business setup and company formation in Dubai or across the UAE.
