Launching the first digital platform for selling and trading brands in the country

Yesterday, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism launched the “Brands Market”, the first specialized digital platform for selling and trading trademarks, which is the first of its kind in the country and the region, and which was developed by the UAE Government Leadership Programme. The platform aims to create a qualitative shift in the trademark industry and push it to higher levels of growth and prosperity, and enhance the UAE’s attractiveness to international companies and brands.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, said in press statements on the sidelines of an event organized by the Ministry at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi to launch the platform, that the “Trademark Market” platform represents the result of a joint effort between the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the UAE Government Leadership Programme, as it is a unique initiative of its kind at the level of the country and the region, and allows owners of trademarks registered in the country to list and trade their trademarks in a safe and transparent environment, and connects them to investors and entrepreneurs in line with the leadership’s vision of strengthening the economic model. Knowledge, developing new economy sectors, and supporting the competitiveness of the business environment.

He added that the platform will support the expansion of small and medium-sized companies and family businesses by transforming the power of their brands into a usable financial asset, in addition to its contribution to the trading of intangible assets of brands, as it is a strategic economic value that supports innovation, promotes sustainable economic development, and encourages the private sector to increase investment in building brands, research and development, and innovative products. He pointed out that this step aims to create a qualitative shift in the branding sector in the country, and increase the market attractiveness of brands by up to 20% during the first year of operation, in addition to enhancing investment in intangible assets. Tangible.

documentation

Bin Touq explained that with the launch of the new platform yesterday, trademarks have become documented on the ministry’s website, which facilitates the buying and selling of these trademarks, and they also have a specific financial value.

He stated that sales and trading operations through the platform will be limited to national and international trademarks registered in the UAE, in accordance with the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. (36) of 2021 regarding trademarks, ensuring the protection of the rights of trademark owners, and enhancing transparency and security in all transactions carried out on the platform, pointing out that with regard to the buying and selling mechanism, the platform requires login to ensure secure transactions, and reliable verification of the identity of all users, with financial transactions completed via electronic payment in a safe and smooth manner.

growth marks

Bin Touq revealed that the number of national and international trademarks registered in the country, from the beginning of January until the beginning of November 2025, reached 34,234 trademarks, of which 19,957 national and international trademarks were registered during the first half of this year, a growth of 129% compared to the same period last year, and the number of registered national and international trademarks doubled during the year 2024 to reach 31,537 trademarks in comparison. With 16 thousand and 712 marks in 2023.

He pointed to the many steps and procedures that have been taken to support the trademark sector in the Emirates, which has become of great importance in the national economy, stressing that under UAE law, trademarks can now be registered without obtaining a commercial license, while previously registering a trademark required a commercial license.

Ease and innovation

He explained that the strong national economy has two main pillars. The first is the ease of doing business, as the UAE has one of the highest levels in the world in the ease of doing business, especially with regard to opening bank accounts and establishing commercial companies, etc., while the second pillar is innovation, as protecting intellectual property and protecting ideas and inventions is one of the pillars of innovation, which is a major element in the growth of the national economy. He pointed out that a number of laws have been amended, trademark registration fees have been reduced by rates of up to 50%, and intellectual property registration has been made available for under 21 years of age. There are no fees, which constitutes a great support for students, and registration for people of determination is free.

Legal tool

For his part, Hasher bin Dalmouk, a member of the UAE Government Leadership Programme, said that launching a platform represents a major change in the culture of trademarks, as the platform becomes a legal tool to protect trademarks that have become recognized commercial assets that can be traded, sold, and bought. The platform also provides ease of communication with the owner, transferring ownership, and managing various trademarks, as their appropriate value is determined according to the vision of the trademark owner, such as car plates that have become bought and sold in Dubai, and can be viewed as a commercial asset.

He added that what is displayed on the platform are trademarks that their owner has registered and wants to sell, pointing out that there are factors that increase the value of trademarks, such as their spread and strength in the market. The stronger, old, and well-known trademark is, and its name is easy and desirable, the greater its value. The platform also provides the possibility of negotiating with the trademark owner to reach a suitable price.

He pointed out that anyone who wishes to sell any trademark owned by him must submit a request to upload the trademark on the platform for it to be officially traded after that, noting the speedy adoption by the Minister of Economy and Tourism of launching the platform, which officially began operating yesterday.

Abdullah bin Touq:

. The “platform” supports the expansion of small and medium-sized companies and family businesses, by transforming the strength of their brands into a usable financial asset.

. 34.2 thousand national and international trademarks were registered in the country within 10 months.

. The “Brands Market” platform was developed by the UAE Government Leadership Programme.