The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) issued 1,369 licences for various types of businesses in Dubai in May this year, a 63 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2009.

Most of the licences were issued in the commercial sector (1,024) followed by the professional sector (310) and industry (27).

“The number of licences issued is an indicator of the robust economic performance of Dubai. The licensed activities cover all aspects of the economy highlighting the focus of DED to work towards strengthening all key economic sectors. The figures also highlight the further growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are regarded as a key pillar of the economy,” stated Ali Ibrahim, deputy director general for Economic Sector Development at DED.

‘Ready made garments’ led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in the commercial category with 170 licences issued followed by ‘Perfumes and cosmetics’ with 138 and ‘General trade’ with 130. ‘Restaurants’ led the list of the top 10 licensed activities in the professional category with 46 licences issued in May 2010 followed by ‘Residences and building cleaning services’ with 36; and ‘Cafés’, ‘Selling snacks’, and ‘Men’s barber’ with 25 each.

In industrial activities, three licences each were issued for ‘Metal construction parts’, ‘Blacksmithing and welding workshops’ followed by ‘Packaging materials’, ‘Mirrors and glass work’, and ‘Exhibition fixtures’ with two each.

The Intlaq scheme, an initiative by the DED to encourage more UAE nationals to set up businesses from their homes, recorded a strong performance with 206 licences issued in May 2010, a 57 per cent increase over last year same period. The largest growth was recorded in the professional category, with 82 per cent of the total licences issued, followed by trade licences growing by 54 per cent.

The total number of transactions during May 2010 reached 32,822 compared to 28,102 in May 2009, a 17 per cent increase. The number of cancelled licences was 933, with the most licences in the industrial sector, followed by commercial and professional.

The total number of licences renewed during May 2010 reached 7584 and the number of amended licences was 4479.

The total number of field inspection visits by the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection coordinators were 4540 an increase of 54 per cent compared to the same period in 2009. Constant follow-up procedures and intensified coverage account for the increase.

The visits included control procedures such as checking the physical presence of companies and institutions and their compliance with laws, professional obligations, and participation in promotional campaigns.

The number of commercial protection cases increased to 362 and these included complaints about trademark infringement, commercial fraud, concerns on commercial agencies, and consumer protection issues.

The total number of commercial permits reached 4106, a 19 per cent increase compared to May 2009. The number of trade exhibitions permits was 16, an increase of 129 per cent; permits for promotional campaigns were 341, a growth of 28 per cent, and permits for sales, discounts and clearances numbered 387, an increase of 10 per cent over the same period last year.-TradeArabia News Service