Get your Virtual Licence now

Apply online for your Abu Dhabi licence today

Abu Dhabi’s Virtual Licence enables non-resident foreign investors to easily obtain an economic licence to do business in Abu Dhabi.

Investors can apply for the Virtual Licence without meeting any residency requirements and regardless of current location.

The Virtual Licence covers a range of economic activities under 13 sectors, including: agriculture, manufacturing, repair, contracting, maintenance and installations, retail trade, transport, services, leasing services, health and entertainment events, wholesale trade, and import and export. Foreign investors can apply for a licence permitting 100% ownership for either of two approved legal forms: Limited Liability Company and Sole Proprietorship L.L.C.

To apply for your Virtual Licence, visit Abu Dhabi Business Centre’s website and select “Abu Dhabi Virtual Licence”.

Abu Dhabi’s Virtual Licence enables non-resident foreign investors to easily obtain an economic licence to do business in Abu Dhabi.

Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?

Discover a range of new online tools that can accelerate your growth in Abu Dhabi.

Investors seeking new investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi can access the Investor Journey portal, an all-in-one business creation platform that facilitates new business ideation, execution and support.

The portal aims to transform economic activities licensing services into fully integrated digital services, making it easier than ever for investors to do business in Abu Dhabi.

The Investor Journey features many investor-friendly tools like ‘Licence Finder’, which guides the investors through a smart questionnaire helping them to identify a suitable legal form and licence type. Investors seeking information can use the ‘Simulate Your Business Setup’ tool. The Investor Journey also features tools that enable contracts to be processed and signed digitally, allowing investors to apply for a trade name and a licence online within six minutes.

As part of the tools, investors can better understand the complete process involved in setting up a new venture in the emirate with the Business Simulator.

Access the full range of investor tools and services on TAMM.

Investors seeking new investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi can access the Investor Journey portal, an all-in-one business creation platform that facilitates new business ideation, execution and support.

Access government land with Musataha
Apply online for plots within ADIO’s land bank

Government land in Abu Dhabi is available to private investors via Musataha partnerships, which grant investors Musataha rights to develop a particular plot of land for a defined time period.

Investors can apply for land within a comprehensive land bank managed by ADIO. ADIO facilitates Musataha partnerships in collaboration with other Abu Dhabi government entities to stimulate investments and fast-track approvals.

Apply in two steps.

Step 1:

• Investor submits the Land Request Form including a preliminary Business Case
• ADIO studies the request and finds a suitable land matching the investor’s requirements
• If the investor accepts the proposed plot, an initial acceptance is issued within two working days

Step 2:

• Within three working weeks of the initial acceptance, investor submits a detailed Business Plan including Design, Market Assessment, Financial Model; Financial Statements; Licence and Proof of Funding
• If approved, ADIO issues the Award and Musataha Contract within five working days

Government land in Abu Dhabi is available to private investors via Musataha partnerships, which grant investors Musataha rights to develop a particular plot of land for a defined time period.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the Department of Municipal and Transport (DMT), has pre-qualified nine companies for Phase 2 of its Road Lighting LED public-private partnership (PPP) project tender.

The project, which forms part of the Abu Dhabi Road Lighting Programme, includes the finance, supply, installation, operation and maintenance of 135,742 LED energy-efficient luminaires in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will result in significant electricity savings of almost 2,400 million kWh, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 76 percent in power consumption, over the 12-year concession period.

The project is being procured in accordance with the PPP Law, ADIO’s Partnership Projects Guidebook and its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy.

ADIO has now concluded its bid evaluation process as part of the Request for Qualification (RfQ) phase and has pre-qualified the following companies: CRCCI (China Railway Construction Corporation International); Dussman Gulf; DUTCO Construction; EDF (Electricite de France); EESL/Hansa Energy Solutions; Orascom; Saif Bin Darwish; Shikun and Binui; and ST Engineering.

The companies hail from eight countries, including the UAE, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Israel and Singapore.

Pre-qualified bidders will be invited to participate in the next stage of the procurement process and submit detailed proposals in response to a Request for Proposal (RfP).

ADIO is the central Abu Dhabi government hub managing the facilitation, development and procurement of all infrastructure projects delivered through a PPP framework in Abu Dhabi, in line with its mandate to support private sector investment in the emirate. Find out more about ADIO’s infrastructure projects here: https://www.investinabudhabi.gov.ae/en/Infrastructure-Partnerships

DMT aims to encourage investment in Abu Dhabi through partnerships with the private sector. It facilitates projects related to its expertise in cooperation with strategic partners to ensure integration and knowledge exchange.In collaboration with Department of Municipal and Transport, ADIO has pre-qualified nine companies for Phase 2 of Road Lighting LED PPP project tender.

Pure Salmon, a global land-based salmon aquaculture company, will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s agriculture technology (AgTech) ecosystem with the establishment of its headquarters in the emirate. A partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Pure Salmon will see the company receive financial and non-financial incentives to expand local food sustainability efforts with its proven salmon farming technology. The partnership is part of ADIO’s AED 2 billion Innovation Programme to help innovation-driven companies achieve long-term global success from Abu Dhabi.

ADIO is casting a wide net in its support for aquaculture and promoting innovation that addresses global food security challenges. Pure Salmon joins other AgTech companies, including FreshToHome, that have partnered with ADIO under the same programme to bring aquaculture expertise to advance food sustainability from Abu Dhabi.

H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO, said: “Over the last year, Abu Dhabi’s AgTech sector has experienced exponential growth, led by rapid technological developments that are enabling sustainable agriculture and farming practices to take root in arid and desert climates. The introduction of Pure Salmon’s pioneering technology and knowledge to Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem will enhance the emirate’s aquaculture capabilities and create a hub from which new agriculture solutions can proliferate. ADIO is committed to supporting businesses aligned with our mission of advancing regional and global innovation.”

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), said: “The aquaculture sector has been identified as a priority sector for development by the Government of Abu Dhabi. In alignment with government commitment, EAD launched the sustainable aquaculture policy of Abu Dhabi Emirate in 2019 in collaboration with relevant federal and local entities. One of the key initiatives seeks to encourage economic investment in the sector, thereby reducing pressure on the UAE’s severely overexploited fisheries, providing meaningful employment and generating wealth for citizens by producing safe, wholesome and high-quality seafood products. We are excited to welcome Pure Salmon to Abu Dhabi and look forward to celebrating its sustainable impact on the aquaculture ecosystem.”

The wave of aquaculture development in Abu Dhabi is spearheaded by EAD, which aims to accelerate the growth of a competitive local aquaculture industry that contributes to food security and economic growth. Abu Dhabi’s aquaculture sector seeks to satisfy market demand using sustainable technologies that preserve biodiversity and ensure the protection of healthy, productive and resilient ecosystems.

Pure Salmon is a portfolio company of private equity funds managed by 8F Asset Management. It uses Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology to sustainably farm clean, fresh, traceable and healthy Atlantic salmon in close proximity to end consumers, which considerably reduces transport and carbon footprint, minimises the negative impact on the oceans’ ecosystems, and significantly lowers resource consumption.

The company’s Abu Dhabi headquarters will manage global production facilities in Poland, Japan, USA and France. ADIO’s partnership enables Pure Salmon to hire world-class talent and expand its operations as it makes headway towards becoming the largest global sustainable salmon producer with its target production of 260,000 tonnes per year. In addition, Pure Salmon will establish academic collaborations based on the proprietary Pure Salmon Academy knowledge base to share its aquaculture know-how and capabilities within the Abu Dhabi ecosystem.

Stephane Farouze, Chairman and Founder of 8F Asset Management and Board Director of Pure Salmon, said, “We are proud and grateful to have ADIO as a strategic partner in the development of Pure Salmon. Setting up Pure Salmon’s global headquarters in Abu Dhabi will enable the growth of a local team that will advance sustainable economic solutions and establish the UAE as an industry leader. With ADIO’s support, Pure Salmon will advance towards its goal of supplying the world with nutritious, healthy and locally produced protein.”Pure Salmon, a global land-based salmon aquaculture company, will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s agriculture technology (AgTech) ecosystem with the establishment of its headquarters in the emirate. A partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Pure Salmon will see the company receive financial and non-financial incentives to expand local food sustainability efforts with its proven salmon farming technology. The partnership is part of ADIO’s AED 2 billion Innovation Programme to help innovation-driven companies achieve long-term global success from Abu Dhabi.

Even though it was officially introduced to global business dictionaries in a 2006 United Nations report, the history of environmental social governance (ESG) dates back to the 18th century, picking up pace in the United States in the 1960s.

With the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971, the first 50 years of Abu Dhabi’s development have been interwoven with the fabric of well-directed sustainability and socially responsible governance.
 
The emirate’s journey in its first half a century demonstrates the value of strategic, government-directed policies in paving the way for a variety of fields, with the private sector working alongside the government to raise the bar higher.
 
Today, Abu Dhabi is one of the first cities in the world to incorporate ESG requirements in its governance and business models.
 
This comes with a deep understanding that integrating ESG considerations helps companies in the emirate identify a broader range of opportunities and risks, drives performance gains and increases competitiveness both locally and globally.
 
The first 50 years of transformation
 
The UAE’s 50th anniversary not only commemorates the country’s progression but also speaks to the care that was put into paving the road for the next fifty years.
 
From its early days, Abu Dhabi has built its outlook on progression through sustainability, care for nature, future-oriented innovation and deep respect for humanity.
 
The Abu Dhabi government has incorporated long-term impact into its strategic vision, forging a futuristic business ecosystem and an environmentally conscious society.
 
Responsible investment in technology-led companies, infrastructure and associated procurement have had a positive impact on Abu Dhabi’s progression.
 
Today, ESG is embedded in the socio-economic fabric of the emirate and the country.
 
Across Abu Dhabi, various government entities are following up with initiatives that translate overarching policies into corporate action. Its addition to the emirate’s journey has been formalised with the creation of the UAE Vision 2021, the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority Master Plan for Sustainable Markets, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration and ADIOs ESG policy.  
 
Under the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the emirate has deployed extensive efforts towards advancing sustainability in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
 
- ADGM’s Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration calls for collective action to create a thriving sustainable finance industry, backed by 40 financial institutions.
- ADX has published a disclosure guidance to support the voluntary disclosure of ESG information by listed companies.
- In 2020, Etihad Airways issued a AED 2.2 billion ‘green’ sukuk focused on carbon neutrality, with the funds allowing the UAE’s flag carrier to make great strides towards its sustainability targets.
 
ESG as ADIO’s business blueprint
 
At ADIO, we are providing a boost to companies that have embedded sustainability principles, and inspiring others that have yet to set ESG standards. We aim to foster opportunities for local and international companies with sustainability at the heart of their work.
 
ADIO recently launched a policy for partners to integrate ESG standards into business decision-making under the new PPP framework and Innovation Programme.
 
ADIO encourages applicants to its programmes to focus on the potential for innovation, disruption, and value creation posed by ESG activities in the marketplace, such as:
 
- Technologies that accelerate the sharing economy
- Infrastructure in cities to support increasing levels of urbanisation
- Solutions for a low carbon world including energy storage, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation
- Access to education, affordable housing and financial services to decrease inequality
- Health and well-being, including healthy food consumption, activity services and healthy lifestyle choices

In 2020, ADIO’s Innovation Programme supported seven leading agriculture technology companies pursuing cutting-edge projects to solve global food security challenges. We committed AED 1b to leading AgTech companies, including Madar Farms, Responsive Drip Irrigation (RDI), AeroFarms, FreshtoHome and PureHarvest.

This was followed by ADIO’s further efforts in ‘greening the desert’. By partnering with Nanoracks – the world’s largest provider of commercial access to space stations, we added a realm of new capabilities to Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem across land, sea and space. 
 
These investments are focussed on the future of food and agriculture and aim to turn the desert green while creating a sustainable platform for food production on a local, regional and global level.

Conclusion

Responsible investment in technology-led companies, infrastructure and associated procurement is an opportunity to create a positive impact on the economy, the environment and society. 

Looking ahead at the next 50 years, I am confident that Abu Dhabi’s ESG vision will propel regional development across the entire value chain with more companies joining the movement that will result in increased ESG dividends that benefit the people and environment of Abu Dhabi and beyond. 


Sources:
ADIO’s ESG value proposition paper (June 2020)
Jamie Levy’s op-ed on ESG
https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2020/03/02/top-10-esg-trends-for-the-new-decade/
https://www.gbm.hsbc.com/solutions/sustainable-financing?pid=HBEU:BW:BPFP21:CAM:XAW:CAM:0121:001:INSIGHT:
https://www.gbm.hsbc.com/solutions/sustainable-financing/sfi-survey-middle-east
https://www.investopedia.com/news/history-impact-investing/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/betsyatkins/2020/06/08/demystifying-esgits-history--current-status/?sh=2e33a4282cdd
http://www.gsi-alliance.org/trends-report-2018/

The first 50 years of Abu Dhabi development have been interwoven with the fabric of well-directed sustainability and socially responsible governance.