The Department of Economic Development (DED) witnessed a 13 per cent increase in licenses issued in March 2014 compared to the same month of 2013 as economic activity in Dubai remained on an upward curve. While 1,623 licenses were issued in March 2013, 1,834 were issued in March 2014 reflecting increasing investor confidence in Dubai.
The commercial sector saw a 75 per cent increase in the number of licenses, the highest among all sectors in March 2014, while the professional sector accounted for a 23 per cent rise, followed by the tourism and industrials sectors by one per cent each.
The total number of licenses amended in March 2014 was 7,104, while the total number of renewed licenses reached 9,244, and the total number of business registration and licensing (BRL) transactions reached 48,422.
The number of reserved trade names in March 2014 reached 7,602, up 22 per cent from March 2013 (6,235), and the number of initial approvals increased 20 per cent to 3,375 from 2,816.
The total number of commercial activities licensed in March 2014 was 4,907, with General trade leading the list of the top 10 licensed activities (231 licences) followed by Dyes ‘&’ paints (206), Tiling of floors and walls (201), Carpentry and flooring (200), Installation of suspended ceilings and light cut-outs (194), Sanitary extensions ‘&’ wares (188), Installation of air conditioning systems, ventilation and air purification (188), Installation and maintenance of electromechanical equipment (158), Installation of wallpaper (145) and Plaster works (136).
The number of professional activities licensed in March 2014 reached 1,171. Cleaning services for buildings and residences activity led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in this category with 88 licences, followed by Special-purpose facility (58), Restaurants (39), Business services (37), Printing and copying services (27), Electrical repair and extensions (26), Parties and entertainment (26), wedding planning (24), Organisation and management of exhibitions (21), and Cafes (18).
In the tourism sector, inbound tourism led the list of top activities with 12 licenses, followed by Travel and tourism agent (5), Leasing of hotel apartments (2), and Hotel management (1).
In the industrial activities segment, Blacksmith and welding workshop led the list with four licenses, followed by Turning workshop, Kitchen furniture and fitting, Office furniture with three licenses each, Roasting and packaging coffee, Wooden interior design supplies, Home furniture, Schools and hospitals furniture, General shops fitting with two licenses each and Potato chip maker (1) license.
