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DED issues 1,393 licences last month

DUBAI - The Dubai Department of Economic Development, or DED, noted significant growth in Dubai’s economic activities in April as it issued 1,393 licences for several types of businesses in the emirate, reflecting an increase of 61 per cent compared to corresponding month in 2009.

The economic activities in the emirate continued to surge despite difficult times in the wake of global financial crisis, highlighting the investors’ trust in the economic opportunities available in the emirate.

The department, a government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, issued majority of the licences last month in the commercial sector (1,060) followed by the professional sector (305) and industry (21).

“The increased number of licences issued and the growth recorded are a testament to the robust performance of the economy, and highlights the success of Dubai government’s policies to boost investment and drive the growth of various business sectors,” DED Director General Sami Al Qamzi.

Ready-made garments led the list of the top 10 licenced activities in the commercial category with 172 licences issued followed by general trade with 155 and perfumes and cosmetics with 125.

Restaurants led the list of the top 10 licenced activities in the professional category with 47 licences issued in April 2010 followed by residences and building cleaning services with 44 (six per cent) each; cafés with 23 and men’s barber with 22 (three per cent).

In industrial activities, commercial printing, mirrors and glass work, metal construction parts, blacksmithing and welding workshops, and ships and boats repair accounted for five per cent of the licences.

The Intlaq scheme, an initiative by the Department of Economic Development to encourage more UAE nationals to set up businesses from home, recorded strong performance with 209 licences issued in April 2010, a 69 per cent increase from April 2009.

The largest growth was recorded in the trade category, with 75 per cent of the total licences issued followed by professional category with 25 per cent.

The total number of transactions during April 2010 reached 32,604 compared to 29,174 in April 2009, a 12 per cent increase. The number of cancelled licences was 616.

The department, in line with a strong performance in 2009, issued 3,584 licences in the first quarter of 2010, showing an increase of 30 per cent compared to same quarter last year. It issued 11,635 licences for various businesses in 2009.

muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com