Are you looking to start a business in Ajman or expand in the emirate? To do so, you will need an economic license issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED). The number of new licenses issued in Ajman increased by 5 percent during the first half of 2024, totaling 3,000 new licenses. The sectors that saw the most licenses issued were ready-made women’s clothing, restaurants, and building maintenance.
To apply for an Ajman trade license, you can do so through the DED website, smart application, or by visiting a service centre. The required documents include a trade name reservation certificate, license application, passport and ID card copy for the owner or partners, and security clearances for residents. For existing businesses, a copy of the valid passport and ID card of all partners must be presented.
To apply for the license, you need to visit the Ajman – DED website, click on ‘issue trade license’ in the service directory, and follow the steps to fill in the required information and pay the fees. A memorandum of association must be created for companies, and the lease contract must be authenticated from the Municipality and Planning department. Foreign nationals may require approval from the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship and additional government entities for certain high-risk economic activities.
The fees for obtaining an economic license in Ajman include Dh600 for license issuance, Dh50 for administrative application services, and various other fees for registration and certificates. A trade name reservation certificate is also required, and the fees for this process include Dh100 for initial approval and Dh200 for trade name reservation. The service duration for both license issuance and trade name reservation is 24 minutes each.
Ajman has seen significant business growth, with 37,755 active licenses in the first half of 2024 representing a 15 percent growth rate compared to the previous year. More than 15,000 licenses were renewed, showing a 9 percent growth rate. The Director-General of Ajman DED, Abdullah Ahmed Al Hamrani, emphasized the improvement in the business environment in Ajman, making it a preferred investment destination for both local and international investors.
