Dubai
Dubai is one of the best city in the middle east. Situated on the Persian Gulf, next to the Gulf of Oman, the city of Dubai is a renowned global city whose importance to the global economy is almost unparalleled. Dubai has grown to an advanced country with in span of few years, Because of its strategic position, actively-diversifying economy, and excellent trade relations and prestige, Dubai is an excellent location for any businesses looking to expand or invest, especially into Middle Eastern, North African, and Central and South Asian markets, or anyone looking to do business in the Middle East region. Dubai attract a huge customers from all over the world. If you want to start a business in Dubai, there are a few things to be aware before proceeding. First, as a result of ownership laws in the UAE, foreigners cannot hold majority ownership of any businesses in Dubai and must have an Emirati partner who holds at least 51% ownership of the venture. Notable exceptions to this ownership rule are Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, in which non-nationals can own 100% of a business. Secondly, the process to start a business can be daunting for someone who does not know how to navigate the tricky business registration process, so it would be best to have someone who has gone through the process before as a guide. Thirdly, Dubai is tax-free, but does not hold a free trade agreement with the US, so tariffs can still be raised when engaging in trade between the two nations.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu dhabi is one of the most popular city in united arab emirates. Abu dhabi has its own importance in the middle east history. Located a mere 147 kilometers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi is another great choice for potential locations to do business in the Middle East. As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is the seat of the Emirati government and is home to the President of UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The emirate independently has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world and is currently the richest emirate in the country. Abu Dhabi is also a city of great economic importance. Currently, there is over one trillion dollars globally invested in the city, making it a hotspot for investors seeking new markets and entrepreneurs from all over the globe. Abu Dhabi is a tax-free and duty-free city, making it optimal for extensive trade, especially because the Emirate of Abu Dhabi repatriates all of the profits from a foreign venture to the owners without holding any of the revenue. This makes Abu Dhabi extremely competitive option when picking a new place to do business. The process for starting a business and restrictions on businesses are the same throughout all of UAE, so, as a non-national, you will need to have an Emirati partner to own the majority of the business (51% or more). There are a huge chance of international business expansion here too.
Doha, Qatar
Doha, the capital of state of Qatar, This is another place to do business in Qatar. It currently has the third largest GDP per capita in the whole world with 1.8 million citizens as of 2013, 1.3 million of which live in Doha. All of Qatar’s top trade partners are Asian nations (Japan, South Korea, and India), making Doha a prime location for business targeting Asian markets.The economic wealth of Doha and Qatar, as a whole, is due entirely to the discovery of oil in 1940. Petroleum and natural gas production accounts for the majority of the country and city’s revenue, but the government is seeking to move away from oil dependence and expanding its income source. Doha, in particular, has been expanding in the real estate industry and in construction, particularly in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will be hosted in Qatar. The extensive construction in Doha could be seen as a positive sign of growth and expansion. In order to start a business in Qatar, you must first go through a lengthy registration process at the Ministry of Trade and Business. Knowing Arabic or having a business partner who knows Arabic is imperative, as part of the registration process is submitting articles of association which must be prepared and written in Arabic before being accepted. As in UAE, foreigners are not allowed to have majority ownership of enterprises in Qatar, so you must also find a business partner who is a national to own at least 51% of your company. The partner is not legally obliged to contribute financially to the enterprise or to assist in the daily operation of the company and, as majority owner, can terminate operations at any time. The partner must either be an individual Qatari or a local company which is 100% owned by Qataris. Qatar is also a member of the World Trade Organization.
