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Dubai Issues 31,000 Business Licenses, Reports 77% Growth in H1

A general view of Dubai. (WAM)
A general view of Dubai. (WAM)
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Dubai Issues 31,000 Business Licenses, Reports 77% Growth in H1

A general view of Dubai. (WAM)
A general view of Dubai. (WAM)

A total of 31,000 commercial licenses were issued in Dubai during the first six months of 2021, a growth of 77 percent compared to 17,478 licenses issued in the same period in 2020.

The record growth can be attributed largely to measures taken to ensure business continuity and further simplify government procedures for businesses.

Rapid response measures from the government and decisive adaptive changes to confront the COVID-19 pandemic have enabled Dubai to successfully contain the outbreak and maintain its robust economic growth, stated Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan said the government adopted a set of new strategic approaches and amended policies to accelerate economic growth and reduce the cost of doing business, apart from offering stimulus packages to enhance business and investor confidence.

The strong growth of the business sector reflects Dubai’s ability to transform challenges into achievements, in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his conviction that successful crisis management creates opportunities, said the Crown Prince.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision has allowed Dubai to successfully overcome the repercussions of COVID-19, accelerate its recovery and reinforce its status as a global hub and the world’s best place to live and work.

He added: “The records we have achieved inspire us to continue working as one team to further enhance Dubai’s position as an incubator for entrepreneurs and a hub for global companies by identifying new opportunities for investors to accomplish their ambitions and building innovative development pathways to reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in all fields.”

Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of Dubai Economy, said the exceptional business licensing activity witnessed by Dubai during the first half of 2021 is a testament to the resilience and sustainability of the emirate’s economy.

According to Dubai Economy, “Invest in Dubai,” the integrated digital platform for establishing a business in Dubai contributed to 25 percent of new licenses issued during the last five months.

Together, the 25 percent of licenses account for 10,591 investors from 117 different nationalities.

A total of 37 percent of the new investors that came through the platform belonged to the 26-35 age group, while another 35 percent were aged 36-45.

The half-yearly report of Dubai Economy showed a remarkable recovery in many vital activities and sectors during the first half of 2021.

The Restaurants and Cafes category saw 1,153 new licenses, a growth of 92 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Tourism sector welcomed 342 licenses that included 20 new hotels (a growth of 147 percent), in addition to various other activities, such as inbound and outbound trips.

The sector is expected to see increased activity, especially with the rise in tourist numbers expected due to Dubai’s continued popularity as a major global destination and its profile as the venue for Expo this year.

The Gold sector also witnessed a remarkable growth of 102 percent compared to the first half of 2020.

The real estate sector witnessed the highest growth of 186 percent with 487 licenses being issued, compared to 170 licenses for the same period last year. Activities in this sector included brokerage of sale and purchase and real estate rentals.

Transport, Shipping and Warehousing, a prominent sector linked to internal and external trade, saw 872 new licenses in H1 2021, a 105 percent growth from the corresponding period in 2020.

The medical and pharmaceutical sector also witnessed a steep rise in the number of licenses issued (196), growing 120 percent, compared to the first half of 2020.

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Urgent Financial Tasks Await Lebanon’s Emerging Government

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stands between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (dpa)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stands between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (dpa)
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Urgent Financial Tasks Await Lebanon’s Emerging Government

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stands between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (dpa)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stands between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (dpa)

A broad internal consensus, encompassing both political and economic dimensions, is taking shape to adopt the principles outlined in the presidential inauguration address as the foundation of the new government’s program and ministerial statement. This approach aims to sustain Lebanon’s immediate and strong positive momentum, which is reinforced by widespread support on both Arab and international levels.

Economic bodies and professional unions representing business sectors have openly expressed their relief and full support for the strategic directions set by President Joseph Aoun following his election. However, they have made it clear that maintaining this positive momentum depends on the formation of a reform-oriented rescue government, composed of competent, experienced, and honest ministers. This government must also collaborate constructively with the president.

According to a senior financial official, the rescue mission will be challenging due to years of governmental inaction and constitutional voids, which led to a deterioration in public sector operations and the accumulation of economic, financial, and monetary crises over the past five years. These challenges were further compounded by a devastating war, which inflicted severe human and financial losses estimated at approximately $10 billion, thereby worsening the country’s financial gap, now estimated at $72 billion.

Economic and banking circles are looking to the new government to swiftly capitalize on extensive international support by restoring trust and reestablishing financial channels between Lebanon and its regional and international partners. Key to this effort are explicit and transparent commitments to combating illegal economic activities, corruption, smuggling, money laundering, and drug trafficking. In parallel, the government must prioritize strengthening judicial independence and implementing strict controls over land, sea, and air borders.

The national consensus evident in the presidential election, according to Mohammad Choucair, head of Lebanon’s economic associations, paves the way for constructive collaboration among political factions. This collaboration is crucial for addressing challenges, rebuilding the state, and benefiting from renewed international and Arab—particularly Gulf and Saudi—interest in Lebanon. Choucair emphasized the importance of normalizing relations with Gulf nations, supporting Lebanon’s recovery, and providing resources for reconstruction efforts.

One of the urgent tasks for the new government, according to the financial official, is revisiting the draft 2024 state budget, which was previously submitted to parliament. Adjustments are necessary to address fundamental discrepancies in expenditure and revenue projections, taking into account significant changes brought about by the Israeli war.

Ibrahim Kanaan, chairman of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, described the budget as “unrealistic, if not entirely fictitious,” particularly in its revenue estimates. He pointed out that revenue increases were based on income and capital taxes, internal duties, and trade-related fees, all of which have been severely impacted by the war.

Reassuring depositors, both domestic and expatriate, who have suffered massive losses over recent years, is another pressing issue. These losses were exacerbated by the inability of successive governments to implement a comprehensive rescue plan addressing the $72 billion financial gap fairly. The situation was worsened by mismanagement in the electricity sector and the squandering of over $20 billion in central bank reserves following the onset of the financial crisis.

In response to Aoun’s commitment to a fair resolution for depositors, the Association of Banks in Lebanon welcomed his emphasis on safeguarding deposits. It also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the central bank and the government to protect depositors’ rights, citing a recent State Council ruling that prohibits any financial recovery plans from including measures that would erode depositors’ funds.

In its final session, the caretaker government addressed long-standing creditor issues by unanimously agreeing to suspend Lebanon’s right to invoke statutes of limitations on claims by foreign bondholders under New York law. This suspension, effective until March 9, 2028, aims to facilitate future negotiations.

With this decision, the caretaker government tacitly acknowledged Lebanon’s pending debt obligations, including over $10 billion in suspended interest payments on Eurobonds and approximately $30 billion in principal debt. The resolution now awaits direct negotiations under the new administration, which faces the challenge of resolving a nearly five-year-old crisis triggered by the previous government’s uncoordinated decision to halt payments on all Eurobond obligations through 2037.

Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil emphasized that despite the difficult circumstances, “Lebanon remains committed to reaching a fair and consensual resolution regarding the restructuring of Eurobond debt.”