Doing Business in UAE - Morison Menon

Preface
The fourth edition of ‘Doing Business in the UAE and UAE’s Free Zones’ could not have come at a more
opportune time. The only constant, that is change, is making its presence felt across the Gulf region.
Economies are on high gear – not driven by oil alone.
The market dynamics is reflected in the way the world perceives the region too. There is a renewed interest
in emerging economies like the UAE, which is fast becoming an investment hub for foreign investors.
The well-rounded growth in all sectors of the economy – be it banking, trade and finance,
real estate, commodities, services or media – has translated into a greater need for authentic information.
This is only natural in the face of emerging developments including the sustained enthusiasm in the stock
market and the coming of age of the commodities and financial markets in the UAE. Business is no longer
governed by the simple logic of demand and supply. Entrepreneurship has entered a phase wherein the
right information channel propels the direction of growth of any business venture.
It is in this context that the fourth series of this hand-book comes with a well-delineated two-part structure.
The first profiles three vital segments of the economy – industry, services and trade. The second
deals with the intricacies of doing business in finance, commodities and banking.
Both the sections have been evolved through careful research and extensive background check to ensure
that the right information has been culled and collated for the benefit of any investor who is totally new
to the region.
Old-timers might recall how this handbook has evolved from a simple one-stop information capsule
outlining the elementary business modules of the UAE and its free zones. This edition, in marked contrast,
is a reflection of the changing times as well as the shifting dynamics of the regional economy.
We would like to put on record our appreciation for the wholehearted support all of you have extended
to our editions. Indeed, your feedback has been our prime mover; your response has helped us nurture,
shape and build on this venture.
When we embarked on this, we never imagined the scope of work that would await us in the coming
years. Every year has seen radical changes in the way you could do business in the UAE. But then again,
some things haven’t changed. Those - the investor-friendly environment, the infrastructural support, the
swiftness and efficiency of governmental and Free Zone departments, the hospitality of the people –
form the bedrock of doing business in the UAE. That, indeed, is a solid one, built over many centuries of
trusted trading links fostered far and wide.
Best Regards,
Board of Partners
Raju Menon
Managing Partner
Safiya Haji Akbar Mohammad
Partner
Morison Menon
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