Hatta witnessed a 17.2% increase in the number of businesses during the 2012-2016 period and by the end of 2016, a total of 944 businesses were operating in the city, according to a report compiled by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai. Trading companies accounted for 76.8% - or 725 - of the businesses operating in the region while 22.4% were professional firms, says the report issued by the Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in DED. The report points towards improvement in overall competitiveness in Dubai and rising opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors looking to expand commercial, professional and industrial activity across the emirate. The report was compiled in line with the launch of a comprehensive plan by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote cultural, economic and social development in Hatta. The Hatta development plan involves renovation of existing business outlets in Hatta, attracting entrepreneurs and investors to the region, and offering efficient business registration and licensing services. Investors and entrepreneurs can complete varied business registration and licensing procedures including trade name reservation, initial approvals, license amendments and renewals through the DED branch office attached to the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners' Affairs (GDRFA) office in Hatta. Abdul Aziz Bin Hathboor, Director of Customer Relations in BRL, said: "The Business Registration & Licensing team prepared the special report on Hatta to provide investors and businessmen an idea of the size and volume of business activity as well as the opportunities available in the city in addition to the services provided by the DED branch office in line with our commitment to enhancing ease of doing business." Bin Hathboor said Hatta has witnessed remarkable development over the past two decades, most notably in terms of the facilities and services provided to the residents of that region. "Continued investment in infrastructure along with the unique environment in Hatta that makes it a popular destination has opened up investment opportunities in several sectors, particularly in tourism, services, and trade as well as in construction, building materials and industries." Bin Hathboor said DED's focus in on facilitating business and providing investors and businessmen with access to different regions and industry sectors Dubai. "We continue to expand our network to different areas in Dubai to enable businessmen complete their transactions conveniently and we offer innovative and competitive solutions that support business development thereby reinforcing Dubai as a business-friendly destination and also enabling the UAE to move higher up in the Doing Business Report of the World Bank." Omar Al Muhairi, Director of Development and Follow-up Management in BRL said: «Our goal is to enable existing and new business in Hatta to take advantage of our simplified procedures and automated services, particularly in terms of trade name reservation and initial approvals. The branch office in Hatta is capable of meeting existing demand and will achieve improved capabilities in the next three years." Al Muhairi said the Hatta office is well-equipped to respond to customer queries about business activities and licensing procedures, adding that the office would help improve communication with customers and save their time in line with the growth vision of Dubai. — SG
