A report from the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai, shows that the number of operating businesses in Hatta has reached 791, a 22% growth from 2009 to 2018. The licenses issued according to the activities were: commercial (533), professional (244), industry (11) and tourism (3). The report covers the various business activities in Hatta providing an overview of the opportunities in Hatta.

The total number of investors in the companies operating in Hatta reached 2,723 including 157 women entrepreneurs, about 5.8% of the total. Most of them are UAE nationals, followed by Indians, Pakistanis and Egyptians.

The number of activities carried out by the companies in Hatta reached 1,226 mostly on: “Contracting”; “Ready-made garments”; “Transport, shipment and storage”; “Restaurants and cafes”; “Electronics group”; “Buildings, security and cleaning”; and “Consumer Co-op Group”, while the number of workers in these companies reached 6,128.

“The report comes in line with the comprehensive development plan for Hatta launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighting its potential as an important centre that preserves the UAE’s authentic heritage,” said Walid Abdel Malik, Director of Business Registration Division at BRL sector.

“We work closely with the private sector to promote productivity growth, improve the quality of public services and support a dynamic business environment. DED adopts a developed approach to promote the business environment to ensure that the Emirate’s competitiveness is maintained and that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as a central hub in the global economy by 2021 is achieved,” added Abdel Malik.

The BRL sector offers several initiatives such as ease of start-up procedures, business registration, adoption of new e-services, and value-added services for licensed business owners.