Dubai- A unique International Business Destination

By Dinker Vaid

History

Became a country December 2, 1971

7 Emirates joined to form the UAE

1973 Dirham became official currency..

Dubai is second largest city in UAE

http://www.visitdubai.com/enSourse:

Dubai- The second biggest of the seven Emirates

Middle East

Bordered by Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf, Oman, Gulf of Oman

Most populated city among the seven states

http://www.visitdubai.com/enSourse:

Demographics

Diverse Population pop. 4,104,695

11% local57% South AsianOther Arabs 27%

Iranian make the majorityMuslims 96%, 4% Christian/ HinduArabic, English, Hindu/Urdu100,000 British/Western

Expatriates

The World’s third largest man-made island (Palm Island)The world’s largest shopping mall-Dubai MallThe world’s largest theme park- Dubai Land

Dubai-The fastest growing city in the world

Highest per capita Income Strategic Location Advanced Infrastructure Less Trade Barriers International Trading Hub Competitive Import Duty

IN !991

In 2003

THE GROWTH

Palm Island

Dubai’s GDP growth

BOP & GDP

Political Factors• Each Emirate contains considerable amount

of sovereignty, yet maintain a strong national identity

• Federal Government consists of Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch along with a Supreme Council

• Federal Government assumes control of foreign affairs, national defense, aircraft regulation, public health, education

• All other areas are maintained by individual Emirate.

• Supreme Council consists of an elected official from each Emirate

• Unlike that of the Executive and Legislative, the Judicial branch is much like those of the west with a twist of Islamic culture.

• Quite Stable

Regional Economic Integration

• Maintain close relationships with more than 60 nations

• China, Japan, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States are the largest allies..

• Member of World Bank, IMF, Arab League, OPEC, Organization of the Islamic Conference, WTO

To start with, this is the best option that Dubai offers to trade investors who prefer 100%

ownership of their business.

Free Zone ensures 100% business ownership

If the idea of partnering with a local sponsor does not go well with you and if you wish to exercise 100% ownership of your business, then you can set up your business in the Dubai Free Zone. The advantages of choosing Free Zone includes:

1. 100 % business ownership

2. Duty free customs boundary

3. The start-up activities are processed with enhanced speed and ease.

Visa EligibilityThe most important requirement to start up a business in Dubai is to own a visa that permits you and your employees to reside and run your business in the UAE. Visas are approved for almost all kinds of businesses. The number of visas that are approved depends on the following criteria and may vary from business to businesses:

1. Size of the organization

2. Business type

3. Category of the investor

http://www.visitdubai.com/enSourse:

Advantages of Choosing the Free Zone for Company

Formation in Dubai

Complacent import/ export services

Visas for investors, staff and family members with 3 years

validity

No mainland labor rules are applicable here- so it

is easy to hire staff.

Document clearance process is quite simple and hassle-free

Zero Tax

100 % Business Set up

License type to Set Up Business in Dubai Free Zones

Trading & Commercial

Professional services

Industrial Services

E-commerce

Logistics

Free Lance Permit

Major 3 initiatives taken by the UAE government in 2014 to

enhance the business environment in Dubai

To sustain government efficiency with regard to account payable procedures

To reinforce the e-commerce infrastructure and online shopping environment

To enhance the efficiency of ‘Starting and Doing Business’

Economic Growth 30% GDP is Petroleum Most investments are into areas of

capital improvement, infrastructure, social services, job creation

2015 GDP: $115.8 Billion Total non- oil imports: 149 million

(Dirham) Imports: $60.15 billion Exports: $103.1 billion Oil Exports: 2.5 million bbl/day No foreign exchange controls, trade

barriers or quotas Exchange rate is 3.675 (DH)= 1 USD Following the success of the Jebel Ali

Free Zone, Dubai Internet City was developed.

Business Environment Massive imports on low-wage workers Labor force of 2.8 million Construction Unions Departments such as Tourism and

Commerce assist companies entering the markets - Economic Dept, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jebel Ali Free Zone

No corporate tax except on oil producing companies and branches of foreign banks.

Member of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/ WTO

Expatriates cannon own land; At least 51% must be owned by native UAE resident

Government and Business Relations

2007 federal budget established a staggering Dh 28.4 billion meanwhile maintaining a zero deficit.

The most notable federal government investment in the works for 2007 is that of a state-of-the-art e-government project.

Social Security system has expanded its aid by more than 75%, thus making it best in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Currently the federal government of UAE is partnering with Assist America, the worlds largest emergency service insurance, to provide a low cost insurance to all of its citizens

Expo 2020 is a Universal scale Registered Exposition time slot sanctioned by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Paris on 27 November 2013. Dubai in the United Arab Emirates won the right to hold Expo 2020

Multinationals & Joint Ventures

• Cessna Aircraft

• Caterpillar • Chase Manhattan • Cisco Computer

Systems• Delta Airlines • Hilton Hotels

• McDonalds International

• Raytheon Aircraft Company

• Al Habtoor Group• Lucent

Technology’s• Northrop

Grumman

MC Donalds In DUBAI

Source: https://www.mcdelivery.ae/ae/

First Branch1994

Al Diyafah

Dubai has The Asian, The Arabian, The Mexican, The Spanish for Limited Edition. And they had the Chicken Fillet, the Spicy Chicken Fillet, McWings. They also have Grand Chicken Classic, Grand Chicken Deluxe, Grand Chicken Special. McDonald's in UAE is certified halal.

IT`s What I Eat & What I Do..

Under the theme ‘Educate a Child, Support Another’, McDonald’s UAE held a memorable celebration for the children of Beit Al Kheir Society where a donation of AED 200,000 was made for their benefit. McDonald’s UAE generated part of the donation funds from the sales of the special books, which helped educate children in the Emirates about useful important topics including sports, balanced diets, respecting the elders and preserving the environment.

Souce: https://www.mcdelivery.ae/ae/

Arabia CSR AwardMcDonald’s UAE is a founding member of the Arabia CSR Award, an award aimed at honoring organizations in the Arab world that demonstrate clear vision, concise strategy and effective implementation of CSR

http://www.dubai.ae/en/Pagesdefault.aspx

As part of its continuous efforts to promote an active lifestyle across the Emirates, McDonald’s UAE is involved in various sports events that promote an active lifestyle including the Olympic Day Run – the annual race which attracts thousands of runners every year in partnership with the UAE Athletic Federation, the UAE Ministry of Education, the National Olympic Committee and the Interschool Association.