Dubai: If you are a home-run business, a social media store or a start-up in

Dubai, here is how you can easily register your business activity in the
Emirate.
The Dubai Economic Department’s (DED) ‘Trader licence’ is aimed to
integrate startups and business activities that operate online or on social
networking sites within the economic department’s database.
The licence is issued electronically and the process also guides business
owners on how they thrive in Dubai’s business environment.
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According to DED, once a DED Trader Licence is issued, the business

becomes legal, which in turn builds customer confidence, and guarantees the
trader’s intellectual and economic rights.
Why should I get a Trader Licence?
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If you are a new business, or a small home set up, this is the easiest way to
ensure you are operating it legally. Some other benefits of the licence,
according to DED are:
• It provides the necessary consultations to start a business
• You get Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities
• You also benefit from bank facilities
• You get a ‘Customs Client Code’, which is provided by Dubai Customs and
facilitates import and export, via dubaitrade.ae
• An establishment card will be issued to you, allowing you to hire three
employees.
• You will also get temporary employment services.
• You will be able to participate in exhibitions, conferences and training
workshop.
• Your products will be displayed at consumer points of sale in the premises of
Dubai Economy partners.
• Dubai Economy partners will also provide options for a work space.
What are the criteria?
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The conditions for getting a DED Trader licence are:
• Projects/startups should exist in the Emirate of Dubai.
• The project owner must be 21 years of age.
• The trader must have an Emirates ID to complete the registration
• The license is issued for residential site only (Makani must be provided).
• The trader is allowed more than one licence.
• The trader is allowed 10 activities per licence maximum within the same
group description.
• DED Trader licence is valid for one year and is renewable.
• The activity, trade name and social media accounts can be amended per
request.
How much will it cost?
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The registration fees are Dh1,070 and the licence needs to be renewed
annually.
DED, however, has a strict set of conditions on the trade names that can be
registered with the department:
• The trade name shall not include any form of religious wording such as the
word of “Allah”, “Lord” or “God”
• The trade name shall not be already reserved for the same activity or any
similar activity.
• The trade name shall not include the name of any person, but it shall only
include partner/ownership name in the licence.
• The trade name shall not contain any profanity or phrases that discriminate.
• Only the name of the person along with family name permitted as trade
name; example; (Ahmed Al-Ghamdi Accessories; not Al-Ghamdi
Accessories).
• It is not permitted to translate the trade names. So, if you are using the word
'Al Saqer' in Arabic, which would translate into English as 'falcon' you cannot
have the Arabic trade name as Al Saqer Events Management and the English
trade name as Falcon Events Management. The registered trade name shall
be written in two languages. Example: “‫ ”الصقر إلدارة الفعاليات‬shall be written in
English as “Al Saqer Events Managements”.
• The trade name shall not carry the name of any countries and governments
and shall not indicate the global political organisations, sectarian or religious
affiliation.
• The trade name shall not be identical or similar to local or global brand, or
trademark registered in the Ministry of Economy. Example: (Emaar, KFC,
Carrefour... etc).
• The trade name shall be compatible and associated only with the activity and
legal form of the company; example: you cannot reserve the trade name of
"XYZ" only for Gifts trading license, but the activity must be mentioned in the
trade name such as: "XYZ GIFTS"
• The trade name shall not include any icons such as points or spacers etc.
such as (. , / ).
• It is not possible to reserve a trade name beginning with the word
"Universal", "Middle East", "International" or translate the same to Arabic.
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• It is not possible to register the trademarks with Dubai Economy; but you
shall register the trademarks with the Trademarks Department of the Ministry
of Economy.
• The Company may use the trade name of another company, which provides
the franchise to the Company.
• Dubai Economy has the right to cancel or change the trade name if the
name is similar to an existing trade name, or if the trade name does not
consider the applicable terms and conditions.
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How can I register for the Trader Licence?
• Visit dedtrader.ae
• Create a username and password
• Enter address details, and social media accounts for the project/business
• Select the activity and trade name
• Pay and receive the DED Trader licence electronically
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For more information you can contact the Dubai Economic
Department’s Trader licence services:
Website: dedtrader.ae
Email: dedtrader@dubaided.gov.ae
Tel: +9714455555
WhatsApp: +971525920000