The cabinet of UAE released a resolution under cabinet resolution No. 16 by March 2020 which determines a Positive List of the economic sectors and economic activities. A total of 122 categories are given full ownership in the UAE mainland under the law FDI – Foreign Direct Investment. This positive list of activities and economic sectors would permit almost all Foreign Direct Investment and they can own 100%, a full ownership.

Foregoing 2018, foreign investments can own up to 49% only in UAE Mainland under Law no. 19 of Federal decree law. This fell under the structure foreign investors can hold up to 100% shares but provided a big negative list of activities. So that, taking full ownership was a complete impossibility.

Moving towards the year 2019, the UAE has passed a law in which foreign investors can hold 100% ownership in the positive list of sectors in mainland entities outside free zones. This law by committee FDI persisted some unsatisfied criteria too. Manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, transport & storage, food services, science and technology, information and communications, education, construction, healthcare and arts are the positive list covered areas in 2019.

With reference to UAE cabinet resolution No. 16, taken recently in 2020 gives 100% ownership to foreign companies which come under three main sectors

–           Service sector | 52 activities

–           Agriculture | 19 activities

–           Manufacturing | 51 activities

These sectors have taken place in the positive list and are fully eligible to hold complete ownership with some conditions. This resolution has set some requirements and conditions for these companies to meet. They are contributions to research and technology, modern technologies, employee headcounts and other activities for the approval of license

Some interesting activities in the new positive list are manufacturing sports goods, toys, consulting services, electrical equipment, photography, building constructions, education, health care, music bands and advertising agency.

UAE’s new cabinet resolutions provide more flexibility, more choices in share hold dealings and greater texture for ownership. FDI committee requires every emirate based firm to streamline licensing and its implementation structures.

Raju Menon, the chairman of Kreston Menon noted that, Even though manufacturing makes the backbone of any country, it didn’t take front row due to legal ownership restrictions and capital intensive project’s nature. Setting up a manufacturing unit and operating it is quite a difficult process. He also added, running up a unit in free zones can permit us 100% ownership but operating costs in free zones are expensive.

Managing partner of Chartered House Tax Consultancy – Mr. Anurag Chaturvedi commented, this full ownership system creates positive effects in job creation, productivity enhancement which results in less importation as goods are being produced in domestic economies. He also added, FDI will do compensation in Covid- 19 decrease in domestic investments and helps in kick starting the economy upliftments.

Due to the present economic effects by covid-19, the release of resolution no.16 of 2020 emerges as an initial welcome move for existing as well new investors and makes the UAE – A investment hub.

Agriculture sector

 ISIC4Business activityMinimum CapitalConditions and controls for foreign direct investment
1     01111Grain cultivation (wheat, corn, barley, etc.) – use of modern technology- achievement of high added value- contribution in the research and development field- satisfaction of the requirements of the licensing entities in the state
2     01112Cultivation of bean crops 
3     0113Cultivation of vegetables, melons, roots and tubers 
4     0114Cultivation of sugar cane 
5     0116Cultivation of fiber crops 
6     0119001Flowers and Flower Buds Cultivation 
7     0121Growing of grapes 
8     0123001Fruits and Citrus Cultivation 
9     0124Growing of pome fruits and stone fruits 
10 0125Growing of other tree and bush fruits and nuts 
11 0126Growing of oleaginous fruits 
12 0127Growing of beverage crops 
13 01289Growing of aromatic, drug and pharmaceutical crops 
14 0161Support activities for crop production10
15 0162Support activities for animal production 
16 0163Post-harvest crop activities 
17 0164Seed processing for propagation 
18 0210Silviculture and other forestry activities 
19 0240Support services to forestry 

Manufacturing sector

 ISIC4Business activityMinimum CapitalConditions and controls for foreign direct investment
20 10Manufacture of food products (except):1071- Manufacture of bakery products105 – Manufacture of diary products108 – Manufacture of prepared animal feeds 15– use of modern technology- achievement of high added value- contribution in the research and development field- satisfaction of the requirements of the licensing entities in the state
21 10Manufacture of beverages (except):1101 -Distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits1102 -Manufacture of wines1103- Manufacture of malt liquors and malt15
22 14Manufacture of wearing apparel (except):14109 – Tailoring and Sewing of Wearing Apparel1410122 – Military Garments Manufacturing15
23 15Manufacture of leather and related products15
24 16Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials15
25 2012002Straight or Complex Fertilizers Manufacturing15
26 2013Manufacture of plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms15
27 2021Manufacture of pesticides and other agrochemical products15
28 2022Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, printing ink and mastics15
29 2023Manufacture of soap and detergents, cleaning and polishing preparations, perfumes and toilet preparations15
30 2029006Glues and Prepared Adhesives Manufacturing15
31 2029008Manufacture of dyestuffs and pigments15
32 2029009Textiles and Leather Finishing Used Chemical Materials Manufacturing15
33 2029013Manufacture of photographic plates, films15
34 2029019Gelatine and Its Derivatives Manufacturing15– use of modern technology- achievement of high added value- contribution in the research and development field- satisfaction of the requirements of the licensing entities in the state
35 2029021Essential Oils Manufacturing (Essence)15
36 2029022Extracted Natural Aromatic Products Manufacturing15
37 2029023Aromatic Distilled Waters Manufacturing15
38 2029024Matches Manufacturing15
39 2029025Welding Powders and Pastes Manufacturing15
40 2030Manufacture of man-made fibres15
41 2100Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products15
42 22Manufacture of rubber and plastics products15
43 23Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products15
44 24Manufacture of basic metals (except):242 Manufacture of basic precious and other non-ferrous metals2432 Casting of non-ferrous metals20
45 25Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (except)2529 Manufacture of weapons and ammunition15
46 26Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products15
47 27Manufacture of electrical equipment20
48 28Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. (except)28259 Tobacco Processing Machinery Manufacturing100
49 29Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers100
50 3011101Building of Commercial Vessels100
51 3011103Ships and Floating Structures Sections Manufacturing100
52 3011905Construction of Drilling Platforms, Floating or Submersible100
53 3011906Construction of Floating Structures100
54 3011907Building of Hovercraft100
55 3012Building of pleasure and sporting boats15
56 3020Manufacture of railway locomotives and rolling stock20
57 3030Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery (except):3030006 Military Ballistic and Guided Missiles Manufacturing100
58 3090Manufacture of transport equipment n.e.c.20
59 31Manufacture of furniture15
60 3220Manufacture of musical instruments2
61 3230Manufacture of sports goods3
62 3240Manufacture of games and toys3
63 3250Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies20
64 3290Other manufacturing n.e.c.3
65 3312001Repair and maintenance of train engines15
66 3312002Repair and maintenance of engines ship15
67 3315001Repair and maintenance of ships15
68 3315004Repair and maintenance of trains and railway equipment15
69 3315005Maintenance and Repair of Aircrafts Engines15
70 3315006Repair and maintenance of aircraft15

Service sector

 ISIC4Business activityMinimum CapitalConditions and controls for foreign direct investment
71                  6910002Legal Consultancy OfficesAs per the applicable regulations–          Not to advocate before the UAE courts.-          Not to carry out any judicial procedure before courts, arbitral tribunals, and judicial and administrative committees.-          Not to carry out attestation activities-          To obtain the approval of the relevant entities in charge of licensing such activities in the State-          To be a natural or legal person known for its excellence in this field
72                  692Accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancyAs per the applicable regulationsOnly permissible for tax planning for businesses and consultancies, preparing and reviewing taxes on businesses
73                  711Architectural and engineering activities and related technical consultancyAs per the applicable regulationsTo be a natural or legal person known for its excellence in this field
74                  862Medical and dental practice activities
75                  75Veterinary activities
76                  620Computer programming, consultancy and related activitiesAs per the applicable regulationsTo provide a technical team of no less than 5 specialized programmers by the end of the first year of the company
77                  72Scientific research and developmentAs per the applicable regulationsAs per the applicable regulations
78                  7730-77300Renting and leasing of other machinery, equipment and tangible goods
79                  471Retail l sale in non-specialized stores (except Cooperative Societies 4711001)
80                  731Advertising
81                  732Market research and public opinion polling
82                  702Management consultancy activities
83                  712Technical testing and analysis
84                  331Repair of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment (except ships or aircrafts and other transport equipment)
85                  8121-81210General cleaning of buildings
86                  742Photographic activities
87                  8292-82920Packaging activities
88                  823Organization of conventions and trade shows
89                  741Specialized design activities
90                  7490005Legal Translation Services
91                  7490006Translation services, movies and television programs
92                  7490012Translation Publications Services
93                  8299002Translation Services
94                  41Construction of buildingsAs per the applicable regulationsOnly permissible for large-scale infrastructure projects such as airports, highway roads, sport facilities and projects whose value exceed AED 450,000,000
95                  42Civil engineering
96                  432Electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities
97                  433Building completion and finishing
98                  431Demolition and site preparation
99                  439Other specialized construction activities
100               7730009Construction and Building or Demolition Machines and Equipment Renting
101               851Pre-primary and primary educationAs per the applicable regulationsPublic education excluded.To obtain the approval from the entities in charge of education to license such activities and to comply with such standards and controls as may be determined by them.To comply with the conditions and standards of school facilities and to ensure a high level of education quality
102               852Secondary education
103               853Higher education
104               854Other education
105               370SewerageAs per the applicable regulationsAs per the applicable regulations in this regard
106               382Waste treatment and disposal
107               3900001Pollution Consequences Treatment and Environment Protection
108               861Hospital activities100Subject to the approval of the relevant authorities in light of the economic need taking into account the number of hospitals, medical and health centers in a specific area.Dubai Healthcare City is excluded from the above condition.
109               869Other human health activities70As per the applicable regulations
110               8211001Hotel ManagementAs per the applicable regulations
111               8211004Restaurants Management
112               90009Creative activities and presentation of arts drama (theater)Permissible only for theater activities and live bandsAs per the applicable regulations
113               9000104Music Band
114               9000110Circus
115               8130002landscape and gardening services
116               9103-91030Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activitiesPermissible only for public garden services and specialized garden services.
117               5012-50120Sea and coastal freight water transportAs per the applicable regulations
118               5022001Internal Water Transportation of Goods
119               7730016Commercial Ships Rental
120               5222002Ship Piloting and Towing
121               5222007Marine towing of boats and jet sk
122               NewActivities of holding companies in intellectual property

As everyone hopes this will be a better investment structure.

Originally posted 2021-09-29 09:26:11.

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