Dubai Economy records 132% increase in DED Trader licences

The DED Trader licence, launched by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector of Dubai Economy (DED) to license freelancers at their place of residence in Dubai and enable start-ups to conduct business activities online and across social networking accounts, has seen overwhelming response with 9,949 licences issued since its launch in 2017 till end of 2020. Of these, 57 per cent have been issued to women (5,704).

This reflects Dubai Economy’s focus on promoting e-commerce and the competitiveness of Dubai’s economy, as well as its commitment to realising the vision of the government to drive digital transformation and build awareness about e-platforms that facilitate commercial activities.

The report issued by the BRL sector showed that ‘Marketing Services Via Social Media’ topped the list of activities of licences until the end of 2020 followed by ‘Perfumes & Cosmetics Trading’; ‘Portal’; ‘Sweets & Candies Preparing’; ‘Cafeteria’; ‘Marketing Management’; ‘Social Media Applications Development & Management’; ‘Readymade Garments Trading’ and ‘Ladies’ Garments Trading’. The total number of DED Trader licence groups is 86.

The total number of DED Trader licences issued during 2020 reached 5,799, an increase of 132 per cent compared to 2019, when 2,500 licences were issued. The numbers show that ‘DED Trader’ has proactively supported the growth of e-Commerce in the UAE and encouraged a growing number of consumers to shop online.

Through DED Trader licence, Dubai Economy seeks to regulate and enhance the ease of doing business electronically, find a platform that supports and develops trade as well as connect customers with traders. The licensee cannot open a shop/store but can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100 per cent Emirati and legal liability falls under the licence holder.

The DED Trader licence is issued electronically by visiting dedtrader.ae and following simple steps; create username and password; enter address details, and social media accounts for the project/business; select the activity and trade name and finally pay and receive the licence electronically.

Dubai Economy focuses on providing support to the ‘DED Trader’ licence holders by signing partnerships with government and private sectors, providing facilities for their business growth as well as opening new channels by enhancing cooperation with major sales outlets.

During 2020, Dubai Economy partnered with noon.com, the region’s leading homegrown digital marketplace, to connect local startups with customers across the region through its Mahali digital store. Mahali by noon.com is a programme designed to offer Emirati startups with digital business support and expertise, enabling them to grow their businesses online.

Dubai Economy has also partnered with MyFatoorah to facilitate e-payments for DED Trader Licence holder transactions; talabat to display and sell food items through its platform, and with “Akshaak” to display and sell products of DED Trader licence holders online for free.

The benefits of getting a DED Trader licence include getting Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities, benefitting from bank facilities; getting Customs Client Code, which facilitates import and export via dubaitrade.ae; temporary employment services; participation in exhibitions & conferences and training workshop; displaying of products in consumer points of sale and providing work space.

Last year, the BRL sector organised several virtual awareness workshops on how to conduct businesses and other related subjects, to a great number of freelancers and startups.

Dubai Economy (Department of Economic Development - Government of Dubai) is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE. Dubai Economy supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Dubai Economy and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.

Dubai Economy and Commercial Bank of Dubai join hands to provide easy banking services for DED Trader licence holders with the DED Trader smart banking solutions.

Dubai Economy and Zoho, a global technology company, join hands to assist Dubai businesses in their digital transformation.

Local businesses registered with Dubai Economy can gain access to Zoho One, a unified cloud-based suite of over 45 applications, which seamlessly connects diverse functions of a business, for free for one year.

Businesses can also run their sales, marketing, productivity, collaboration, HR management, finance and other functions on a single platform with Zoho One.