The total number of new commercial licences issued in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and registered at the Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) affiliated to the Department of Economic Development (DED), reached 4,538 during the first half of 2017.

This includes 2,330 licences issued during the first quarter and 2,208 in the second quarter, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

The half annual report of the ADBC stated that the total number of commercial, industrial and tourist licences reached 111,039, out of which 71,696 were issued in Abu Dhabi, 30,605 in the eastern region, and 8,738 in Al Dhafra.

Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, under-secretary of the DED, stated that the movement of regular commercial licences reflects the extent of the rising economic activity in the emirate despite the global market crises and impact. It shows the great interest of the business community as well as that of national and foreign investors in availing opportunities. This is possible due to the existing administrative and legislative systems in the emirate that are in observation of the best international standards and practices.

The DED, Al Mansouri added, seeks, according to its Strategy 2016-2020, to develop the system of commercial activity at the local level by implementing the best practices in a way that helps meet the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

Mohamed Munif Al Mansouri, the acting executive director of the ABDC, said that the Centre recently launched a number of initiatives including the activation of electronic services on the website and an application to cover all licencing transactions. The ADBC completed the electronic connection process with 36 local and federal entities in the first half of the year reaching 96 percent of the total number.

The ADBC report stated that the total number of trade licence transactions implemented there during the first half of the year reached 100,174, including 50,480 in the first quarter and 49,694 in the second quarter. These covered issuance, renewal, cancellation, electronic services, adjustment, notices, permits, violations, issuance of a new name and other activities.

According to the half annual report, individual enterprise activity is still at the head of the list with 3,097 licences, while limited liability companies came second with almost 845 followed by subsidiary or branch companies or establishments with 361. Sole companies or corporations received 218 licences, followed by public joint stock companies with 10.