An effective business plan for registering a company in the UAE

To successfully register a company in the United Arab Emirates, special attention needs to be given to the business plan. It details the strategy and operational plan of the enterprise or project, outlining goals, tasks, and forecasts related to launching and managing the business. This will help better understand local laws and regulations, as well as anticipate and manage risks, significantly increasing the chances of success for your venture in the country. Let's explore how to prepare an effective business plan for registering a company in the UAE.

Advantages and disadvantages of the UAE jurisdiction for opening a business

The UAE is a thriving and constantly developing region that offers great prospects for business establishment. The main advantages for entrepreneurs include:

• Economic stability: According to the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, in the first quarter of 2023, the economic growth reached 3.8%. The country's GDP increased to 113.9 billion USD. The indicators continue to grow due to a developed tourism sector, high levels of foreign investment, and economic diversification – the UAE is no longer solely dependent on oil and gas extraction.
• Low import duties: One of the most advantageous factors for starting a trading business in this country.
• Favorable tax conditions: As of June 1, 2023, a corporate tax of 9% is introduced, applicable to profits exceeding 375,000 dirhams, to be paid at the end of the financial year. Exception: companies registered in free zones and earning qualified income. In such cases, the activity will not be subject to corporate tax.
• Free zones: These are special administrative and economic zones offering tax incentives. They are designed to attract foreign investment and stimulate business.
• Simplified registration procedure for foreign citizens and entrepreneurs. This also applies in free economic zones.
• Developed infrastructure: One of the most modern in the world, covering transportation, airports, real estate, and the application of new technologies in infrastructure projects.

These are the main points, and the list is not exhaustive. Favorable strategic location, developed logistics and transportation infrastructure, availability of key resources, and minimal tax burden create optimal conditions for starting a business.

Despite the numerous advantages, there are disadvantages and pitfalls to be aware of in advance to anticipate all possible risks:

• High level of competition: A downside directly stemming from the advantages. The UAE is a promising country for business development, attracting entrepreneurs from around the world.
• Restrictions in free economic zones: For example, each zone is limited to the type of activity it specializes in – manufacturing, tourism, real estate.
• Limitations on types of business activities: Some types of activities are restricted or even prohibited: casinos, betting shops, and related enterprises are strictly prohibited. Any business activity related to gambling is considered illegal.
• Requirement for a local partner: For certain entrepreneurial activities such as interior design, recruitment agency, tax consultancy, auditing, a local partner is required, holding a controlling stake – i.e., 51%. The local partner must be a UAE citizen. This can be clarified by experts from The Level Consulting.

These drawbacks do not outweigh the advantages. Business in the UAE remains a profitable financial investment. The only requirement is to comply with legislation and respect the requirements of the local government. Then there should be no problems.

Choosing the type of company is the next important step. Each type meets different business requirements and has its own characteristics.

Local Company

A local company is the most popular option suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. Sometimes, a local partner is required who will own 51% of the shares. This type of organization is versatile and suitable for most available types of business activities.

Free Zone Establishment

The main advantage of a free zone establishment is 100% ownership of the company. There is no need for a local sponsor, unlike other types.

The distinguishing feature is the choice of a specific industry in which the business will specialize. There are more than 50 free zones in the UAE, most of which are located in Dubai – about 30. Owners may also be exempt from corporate tax if all business conduct rules are followed in the free zone.

Offshore Business

Offshore companies are not allowed to conduct business and direct commercial activities in the UAE. More often, such organizations act as shareholders of any other company, meaning they can be owned without a physical presence in the country. Entry into the United Arab Emirates market occurs through subsidiary companies.

Preparing a Business Plan in Dubai

To correctly determine which type of company is needed and which type of business activity to focus on, it is necessary to carefully plan and prepare a well-thought-out business plan. This will be the basis for all subsequent actions and the enterprise as a whole.

Initially, you can outline a draft business plan informally. A comprehensive document will be needed for potential investors and sponsors who will want to study the company and assess whether it is worth investing in.

Creating a business plan is a complex and labor-intensive process, but it will pay off. It helps clearly define goals, strategies, and directions for development, determining how the company plans to achieve success and structure its activities around specific objectives.

Ignoring the preparation of a business plan and starting entrepreneurial activities randomly can lead to numerous risks: financial, personnel, managerial, and marketing.

Preparing and creating an effective business plan involves several main stages. Each requires careful and serious attention.

Step-by-step preparation guide:

1. Market and Competitor Analysis: Conduct research to understand if there is demand for your products or services and what competitors are already operating in this area.
2. Formulate Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Determine what advantages your offering has compared to competitors.
3. Establish Goals and Strategies: Based on the data obtained, establish goals and strategies, such as increasing revenue, expanding into new markets, or achieving a certain market share.
4. Determine the Business Model: Decide which products or services will be offered and how the production process or service provision will be organized.
5. Analyze Potential Risks: This will help investors understand that the company is realistically assessing opportunities and prospects and is prepared for problems.
6. Develop a Plan to Manage and Mitigate These Risks.
7. Gather Necessary Information to Support Decisions and Proposals: This includes statistical data, market research, competitor business plans, and other sources of information.
8. Prepare Financial Data: Start-up capital, ongoing expenses and revenues, balance sheet, income and expenditure forecasts.
9. Decide Who the Business Plan Is For: This could be investors, banks, potential partners, or your own team. Typically, it is easier to prepare one document for everyone.

Contents of a Business Plan in the UAE:

Proper content will help structure the business plan and avoid confusion. Each section should be sequential and logical.

Sample content:

1. Title Page, Table of Contents, Introduction: This may include a logo, contact information, a list of sections for quick reference, and a brief description of the main goals.
2. Company Description: Type, legal form, founders, key employees, global mission, and idea.
3. Market Analysis: Description and definition of the target audience, competitors, trends, and development forecasts.
4. Description of Products and Services, USP.
5. Marketing Plan and Promotion Strategies.
6. Operational Plan.
7. Financial Plan.
8. Risk Assessment and Mitigation.
9. Conclusion.

Adjustments can always be made to meet specific requirements. The key is to ensure that investors have no questions and a complete understanding of the company.

Business Plan Preparation Service in Dubai:

If you are planning to launch your own project but do not want to make mistakes in preparing a business plan, you can use a specialized service. Delegating this labor-intensive task allows you to focus on more important issues that require solutions.

The Level Consulting:

The Level Consulting specializes in business organization and company registration in the UAE. We can assist you with document preparation, including business plans, licenses, and work visas. We will create a comprehensive business plan that leaves no questions for your investors and becomes a valuable tool for successful planning.

We will select banks and banking products specifically for your type of company and provide legal support. We handle all types of transactions.