The Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) unit of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has issued 16,409 e-Trader licenses since its launch in March of 2017 till end of 2021.
The BRL sector also reported that the total number of e-Trader licenses issued in 2021 reached 6,217, a six percent increase compared 2020 as the total number of licenses reached 5,848 licenses.
According to the BRL’s report, 79 percent of the e-Trader licenses issued in 2021 were professional, and 21% were commercial. Information Technology, Ready-made garments, Women’s tailoring and design, Handicrafts, Men’s tailoring and design, Publishing and printing services, Facility management, Marketing services, and Preparation of Food, topped the list of activities of the licenses issued in 2021.
Through e-Trader license, DET seeks to regulate and enhance 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 percent Emirati and legal liability falls under the license holder.
The BRL sector focuses on providing support to e-Trader license 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.
The benefits of getting the e-Trader license 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 and conferences and training workshop, displaying of products in consumer points of sale and providing work space.