Media ININ Economy We Trust
Media IN Duai 10th-07-2019
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has introduced new licencing categories with reduced fees to attract more firms to do business in the centre. Four new licensing categories have been inaugurated including short-term and restricted licenses, commercial permissions and dual licenses.
Under the short-term licensing category, retail businesses and other non-financials will be able to operate their businesses from DIFC with flexible rates over shorter timeframes.
This includes a registration fee of $100 and license fee ranging from $300 to $5,100 depending on the duration. The new restricted licenses category is designed for firms interested in developing or testing new products and services in the DIFC.
Individuals /companies obtaining this license will have a reduced registration fee of $100, and with annual license fees ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, allowing testing and access to the DIFC ecosystem which includes incubator and accelerator programmes.
The third categor, commercial permissions will allow both DIFC and non-DIFC entities such as event companies, retail outlets, training providers or educational services to conduct their main business activities within the centre for a fee.
The amount will range from $100 to $2,000, depending on the nature of activity and duration. For the meantime the dual licensing category enables DED licensed non-financial and non-retail firms with an affiliate in the DIFC to operate from the centre.
This includes law firms, audit firms, consultancy firms, family businesses, holding companies and corporate service providers. They will need to pay an annual fee of $1,000. The new licences have been introduced in response to “market needs”, a statement said.
Senior vice president and registrar of companies at DIFC Authority Khalid Al Zarouni, said: “We continue to develop and adapt our business ecosystem with world-class legislative framework to make DIFC a more attractive place for business.
“The new licenses and fees are a first of its kind in the region and will enable DIFC businesses to grow, whilst also encouraging a more diversified portfolio of businesses to establish in the financial centre.”
Last month, the centre enacted a new insolvency law, aimed at attracting more investors.
