In the first half of 2024, the number of active licenses in the United Arab Emirates increased by 12%, reaching a total of 896,000 companies. This growth was led by limited liability companies, which saw a 7.6% increase, with 269,100 companies/licenses accounting for 30% of the total. Sole proprietorships increased by 3%, while one-person companies grew by 21%.
Local company branches experienced a significant increase of 67%, with a total of 10,733 companies, and branches of companies from another emirate grew by 14.7%. The number of private joint-stock companies also rose by 14%, reaching a total of 5,268 companies. Free zone establishments reached a total of 3,455 companies, and local establishments’ branches reached a total of 2,318 licenses. Professional business companies increased by an impressive 18% to reach a total of 1,886 companies. Branches of foreign companies also grew significantly to reach a total of
