Abu Dhabi Enhances Tajer Licence With 12 New Economic Activities For Entrepreneurs

The Abu Dhabi Business Centre at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has introduced 12 new economic activities to the Tajer Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Trader) licence. This initiative allows investors to obtain an economic licence without needing a physical location or paying rent for commercial space for three years.

ADDED's goal is to empower entrepreneurs by making it easier to establish and run businesses in Abu Dhabi. The new activities cover various sectors, including maritime consultancy services, tourism and recreation consultants, accountancy and auditing system analysis, logistics consultancy, statistical services consultancies, network consultancies, agricultural extension services, textiles and wearing apparel silk-screen printing, and design and artwork services.

Since its inception in 2017, the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence has seen a significant increase in the number of economic activities it covers. Initially starting with 30 activities, it now includes 1,200 different activities. These represent 30 percent of the total economic activities licenced and regulated by ADDED, which amounted to 3,982 activities by the end of last year (2023).

The Tajer Abu Dhabi licence enables UAE Nationals and residents to operate their businesses without needing a physical headquarters for three years after launching their business. This provision helps reduce the costs associated with starting a business. Licence holders must comply with rules regulating their businesses and obtain necessary approvals within this period.

Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Business Centre, stated, "The addition of new activities to the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence reflects Abu Dhabi’s vibrant economy, which is witnessing an expansion of specialised activities. To meet the needs of entrepreneurs and investors in various sectors and to facilitate setting up and doing businesses, we listened to the needs of stakeholders to understand their requirements. We have added activities that enable business owners to obtain the necessary licences to launch projects that contribute positively to commercial activity and economic development in Abu Dhabi. This step confirms ADDED’s commitment to entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises, a main pillar of economic diversification and job creation."

Meeting Entrepreneurial Needs

The demand for the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence has grown significantly since its launch in 2017. Last year alone saw 5,989 new licences issued under this category. These accounted for over 23 percent of all new economic licences issued in the emirate. This growth highlights how well this category meets entrepreneurs' needs.

The introduction of these new activities aims to support entrepreneurs by providing them with more opportunities within Abu Dhabi’s economy. By simplifying business establishment processes, ADDED ensures that entrepreneurs can focus on growing their ventures without worrying about initial overhead costs.

This initiative underscores ADDED's dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are crucial for economic diversification and job creation in Abu Dhabi.

The expansion of licenced activities under Tajer Abu Dhabi demonstrates ADDED's responsiveness to market demands. By continuously updating available licences based on stakeholder feedback, ADDED ensures that its offerings remain relevant and beneficial for business owners.

This strategic move aligns with broader efforts to enhance Abu Dhabi's business environment. It provides a conducive atmosphere for innovation and growth across various sectors.

Overall, these developments reflect a proactive approach towards nurturing a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. They highlight the emirate's commitment to supporting diverse business activities while promoting sustainable economic development.

With inputs from WAM