The DED Trader license, launched by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector of Dubai Economy (DED) to license start-ups at their place of residence in Dubai, has seen response with 9,949 licenses issued since its launch in 2017 till end of 2020.

The report issued by the BRL sector showed that “Marketing Services Via Social Media” topped the list of activities of licenses, followed by “Perfumes & Cosmetics Trading”; “Portal”; “Sweets & Candies Preparing”; “Cafeteria”; “Marketing Management”; “Social Media Applications Development & Management”; “Readymade Garments Trading” and “Ladies’ Garments Trading”. Of these, 57% have been issued to women (5,704).

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E-commerce has been accelerated in the Middle East and around the world since the outbreak of the epidemic. The unprecedented shift in consumer behavior to the digital space is driving much of this trend. The total number of DED Trader licenses issued during 2020 reached 5,799, an increase of 132% compared to 2019, when 2,500 licenses were issued. This license enables start-ups to conduct business activities online and across social networking accounts, which is mainly aimed at entrepreneurs with limited assets as it differs most from a trading license in that it does not require a physical office or shop.

The increase in DED Trader license issued by Dubai Economy demonstrates its continued support for the e-commerce sector and highlights the competitiveness of the local economy.

This reflects Dubai Economy’s focus on promoting e-commerce and the competitiveness of Dubai’s economy, as well as its commitment to realizing the vision of the government to drive digital transformation and build awareness about e-platforms that facilitate commercial activities. The numbers show that ‘DED Trader’ has proactively supported the growth of e-Commerce in the UAE and encouraged a growing number of consumers to shop online.

In the midst of COVID-19, e-commerce has been accelerated in the Middle East and around the world.

Since the first quarter of 2020, participants in the industry, including major retailers that sustain e-commerce, have reported significant growth in consumers’ demand’ for e-commerce.

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Facilities offered by the Dubai Economy in 2020 with its partners include the participation of merchant permit holders to showcase their products in a “close enough” manner. The licensee can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100 % Emirati and legal liability falls under the licence holder. According to a memorandum of cooperation between the Dubai Economy and the Dubai Public Prosecution, the Dubai Public Prosecution is required to display and promote the products and services of Dubai Economy during 2020 and 2021, providing them with permanent space in the building of the Public Prosecution Authority in order to reach the largest group of the public.

During 2020, Dubai Economy partnered with noon.com, the region’s leading homegrown digital marketplace, to support young Emirati entrepreneurs to showcase their products on Noon Local, which is owned by Noon, to attract the largest number of customers. It also teamed up with Talabat, providing opportunities to display and sell food through the Talabat app; In collaboration with My Fatoorah to facilitate the electronic sale of Merchant License Holders’ products; And it worked with “kiosks” so that merchants could display their products and merchandise free of charge through the kiosk website.