Photos: Gulf News seminar for UAE startups unveiled

Ismail Al Naqi, Director General, Free Zone Authority of Ajman, during the keynote address. Speaking to Gulf News at the sidelines of the 'Doing Business in the UAE' seminar on Tuesday, Al Naqi outlined the growth forecast, indicating a strategic alignment with the country's direction to attract companies engaged in agri-tech, new technology, digital assets, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI). He said, "There is rising interest in these trends within the market."

Guests during the exclusive seminar, Doing Business in the UAE, to help attendees unlock the numerous benefits the nation offers for their business success.

Abdul Hamid Ahmad, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, Ismail Al Naqi, Director General of Free Zone Authority of Ajman and Hamdan AlShamsi, Founder & Senior Partner, Hamdan AlShamsi during the event.

Hamdan AlShamsi, Founder & Senior Partner, Hamdan AlShamsi, Ismail Al Naqi, Director General, Free Zone Authority of Ajman and Sanjay Gagarani, Partner, Premier Brains Global during a panel discussion Invest in the UAE: A gateway to global markets at the Gulf News Doing Business in the UAE seminar.

Nirav Shah, Director, Fame Advisory; Girish Chand, Senior Partner, MCA; Gopu Rama Naidu, Managing Partner, KGRN Auditing; Vikas Panchal, Business Head Mena, Tally Solutions and Manali Chopra, Director, AKW Consultants during a panel discussion "Leverage corporate taxation for business growth".

Ahmed Elsayed, Senior Associate, BSA Legal; Hamdan AlShamsi, Founder and Senior Partner, Hamdan AlShamsi, Alexander Kukuev, Managing Partner, Upper Case; Shiraz Khan, Head of Tax, Al Tamimi & Company and Natasja Pollemans, Partner, Horizon & Co during a panel discussion at the Gulf News Doing Business in the UAE seminar.

Designed with a focus on start-ups, SMEs, and multinational enterprises, the full-day event held at DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences guides companies of all sizes and sectors, providing crucial insights into the initiation and operation of businesses in the UAE.

The seminar featured an array of panel discussions and knowledge sessions, strategically planned to guide entrepreneurs through the intricacies of the business landscape.

Michael Wharton, Director of AKW speaking at the Gulf News Doing Business in the UAE seminar.

Covering topics such as strategic advantages of incorporating in the UAE; tax planning; transfer pricing; consequences of missing tax return deadlines; financial management; and legal adherence; the sessions are meticulously planned to help companies foster efficiency across every facet of their operation.

Bringing together over 15 industry experts, the seminar attracted 150 entrepreneurs, business owners, and company executives seeking professional guidance on effectively managing businesses in the UAE.

“Gulf News seminar is an excellent opportunity for us to provide entrepreneurs with all the essential information they need to successfully navigate the process of setting up and running a business in the UAE,” says Nirav Shah, Director, Fame Advisory, the diamond sponsor of the event.

David George, Publisher, Gulf News delivering welcome address.