The initiative to update expired economic licenses enhances Abu Dhabi’s investment competitiveness
ABU DHABI, 8 November / WAM / The initiative to update economic licenses that have expired for three years or more, launched by the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority, the arm of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, to develop and regulate the business sector, represented an important step to enhance the ease of doing business by updating economic license records, and ensuring the highest levels of compliance and transparency in the business environment in Abu Dhabi.
The continued growth in the number of new economic licenses in Abu Dhabi confirms the emirate’s attractiveness to investors, as active licenses increased by 19% in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024, as this initiative contributes to providing more practical solutions that enhance the ease of doing business during the registration process and in the operational phase of economic establishments.
The initiative comes within the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) to ensure the availability of accurate and updated economic data and enhance access to it and its use in supporting informed decision-making in line with its role as the central authority responsible for the company registration and commercial registry system and the authority concerned with regulatory affairs related to the compliance of economic institutions throughout the emirate and non-financial free economic zones in accordance with the legislation and regulations of the federal government in the UAE.
The initiative embodies Abu Dhabi Registration’s commitment to providing a flexible and supportive business system that contributes to enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness at the global level, through continuous development of policies to create a stimulating environment for business growth.
The initiative provides investors with the opportunity to correct the conditions of licenses, which contributes to the continuity of economic activities and reduces the faltering of establishments. It also includes various segments of investors, regardless of the expiration date of the licenses, which enhances inclusiveness and equal opportunities.
The initiative empowers the private sector and stimulates its active participation in economic and social development. It also enhances confidence in regulatory bodies by providing flexible solutions and easy procedures to correct situations.
The initiative is implemented according to a structured timetable that takes into account the needs of investors while ensuring that information and guidance are delivered through multiple channels and in a transparent manner.
Holders of expired licenses in this stage can renew their licenses or correct their status during the period from 1 to 30 November 2025 as part of the first phase of the initiative to update the register of expired economic licenses, which includes licenses expired before the year 2010.
During this stage, the covered licenses are completely exempted from late renewal fines, in order to ensure that the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority enables investors to rectify their situations easily and without additional financial burdens.
This step reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to providing a flexible business environment that encourages voluntary compliance and supports the continuity of economic activities within the framework of a gradual and organized approach during which a timetable will later be announced to correct the conditions of licenses expiring after 2010.
This initiative also contributes to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness as a regional and global investment destination by facilitating procedures and providing opportunities to correct situations for all investors, which contributes to providing a stimulating environment for growth that supports sustainability and enhances confidence in the emirate’s economic and regulatory system.
His Excellency Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), said in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the initiative is based on studies and discussions conducted by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority with investors and partners to understand the reasons for non-renewal of licenses and the impact of this on license holders and the economic sector.
He added that all economic licenses included in the current stage are exempt from Abu Dhabi Registration Authority fines related to delaying renewal, pointing out that this exemption comes within the framework of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s keenness to provide a flexible and supportive environment for business and encourage investors to correct their legal situations without financial burdens, which supports the continuity of economic activities and reduces the faltering of establishments.
He explained that in this stage, holders of expired licenses can renew their licenses or correct their status during the period from November 1 to 30, 2025, within the first stage, which includes licenses that expired before the year 2010.
He stated that investors benefit from a complete exemption from delay fines for licenses that expire before August 2018, and from a partial exemption for licenses that expire between August 2018 and March 2020, which reflects Abu Dhabi Registration’s keenness to support the business community and provide a flexible environment that encourages voluntary compliance and ensures the ease and continuity of practicing economic activities.
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