2,000 new commercial licences issued

Abu Dhabi: More than 2,000 new commercial licences were issued in Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of this year, bringing the number of businesses to 105,953, the Department of Economic Development (DED) said in a statement.

The DED issued 768 new licences in January, 708 in February and 685 in March, according to a report issued by the Commercial Affairs Division, bringing the total to 2,161.

Mohammad Moneef Al Mansouri, Acting Executive Director of the Commercial Affairs Division, emphasised the continual rise in commercial activity in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the growing desire for investors and businessmen to pursue opportunities in the emirate. It's not only new ventures which are opening in Abu Dhabi, according to Al Mansouri.

Businesses already in the emirate are also keen to renew and expand.

The number of business licences renewed during the first quarter was 17,866, which reflects the confidence of investors and the ever-improving commercial climate, Al Mansouri said. The DED report also revealed that of the new licences issued, 1,576 were for for individual companies. The category also accounted for 11,855 of the renewals.