The Department of Economic Development (DED), in Dubai in co-operation with the UAE Ministry of Food Security, has introduced 14 new business activities in the field of agricultural production and aquaculture in view of the growing interest in these activities and the importance being given to food security in the country. The move is part of DED’s strategy to enable business owners engage in activities that respond to market needs while successfully competing and growing in the local market. With the latest addition the total number of business activities licensed by DED has gone beyond 2,200.

The new business activities added are as follows: Advanced Growing of Vegetables, Melons, Roots & Tubers; Advanced  Growing of Other Non- Perennial crops; Advanced  Growing of Citrus Fruits; Advanced  Growing of Palms & Fruits; Advanced  Growing of Beverage Crops; Advanced  Growing of Spices; Advanced  Growing of Grains, Leguminous Crop & Oilseeds; Post-Harvest Crop Services; Agricultural Crops Trading; Sea Based Aquaculture; Land Based Aquaculture; Operations of Aquaculture Hatcheries; Aquaculture Post-Harvest Services; Local Aquaculture Products Trading.

His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, said: “The introduction of the new activities comes within the framework of enhancing coordination and integration of government work at both the federal and local levels, realising the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, activating initiatives that facilitate business related to agricultural production, and achieving sustainable development. It will improve local agricultural production, encourage the consumption of fresh local produce and particularly meet the growing demand for fish locally.”

The joint initiative also reflects the Government’s keenness in developing key sectors in the UAE and enhancing the country’s global standing as a pioneer in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the national strategy to develop a comprehensive framework to enable food production and ensure quality food for future generations.

Information about the business practices permitted in the emirate of Dubai are available in the Economic Activities Guide of DED. The guide provides a unified reference for economic classifications and clarifies the various economic activities in the emirate. The Guide contains all information about licenses, registration, process of establishing companies for different commercial activities, legal forms, as well as licensing procedures. Hundreds of frequently asked questions of interest to businesses in Dubai and potential investors are also answered in the Guide.

The Advanced Growing of Vegetables, Melons, Roots & Tubers activity covers agricultural firms specialized in advanced growing of leafy vegetables, fruit trees, melons, roots, tuberous vegetables., as well as cultivation of mushrooms and other vegetable for commercial purpose. The Advanced  Growing of Other Non- Perennial crops Includes agricultural firms specialized in advanced growing of non-perennial crops not classified with other activities, such as fodder, maize and alfalfa, fodder seeds, flowers and seeds to produce ornamental flowers and flower buds for commercial purposes.

The activities covered under Advanced  Growing of Palms & Fruits includes agricultural firms specialised in advanced growing of  date palms, using hydroponics,  vertical farming and greenhouses  or other non- traditional methods as well as same techniques applied in growing tropical and subtropical fruits, such as,  avocados,  bananas,  mangoes,  papayas,  and pineapples. The Post-Harvest Crop Services activity covers agricultural firms engaged in preparing crops for primary markets, including cleaning, trimming, grading, disinfecting, waxing of fruits and sun-drying of fruit and vegetables with the exception of industrial drying.

Aquaculture activities to be permitted include commercial farms specialised in the cultivation of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, algae, other aquatic animals and plants on the coast or offshore, as well as commercial cultivation of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals in ponds, in addition to specialized aquaculture facilities.

Post-harvest Aquaculture Services added to the activities list cover firms providing services that are required following harvesting of aquaculture, such as, preparation and temporary refrigeration of the aquaculture products for sale, excluding any conversion processes. Firms specialized in the production of broodstock, eggs, larva, juvenile fish and other aquatic organisms to support commercial aquaculture fall under the Aquaculture Hatchery Operation activity, while wholesale or retail trading of aquatic animals and plants from local farms are also included in the new list.

DED continues to develop strategies, initiatives and solutions that are in line with the Government’s vision to develop diverse economic sectors and create a competitive business environment. The BRL sector accordingly streamlines business activities to ensure sustainable business development and growth of the business sector along with creating more jobs in Dubai.