Blog & Articles

To launch a product in Dubai, you need more than just a great idea. This guide explains 9 crucial steps including market research, compliance, business setup, branding, distribution, marketing, and VAT planning. At COFTT, we have helped launch cosmetics, apparel, food, and car products in Dubai with full compliance and market success.

Structural engineering and quantity surveying are vital to Dubai’s fast-growing construction industry. In this guide, we explain how to start a structural engineering consultancy or quantity surveying business, the licenses available from DED, the full setup process, and post-formation requirements.

Dubai’s demand for architectural services continues to grow, creating strong opportunities for design consultancies. In this article, we explain how to start an architectural design company, the licenses available from DED such as architectural design consultancy, prospective drawings services, and landscape architecture, and the full business setup process.

Acoustic and vibration consultancy is a growing business in Dubai, with demand from construction, transport, hospitality, and industrial sectors. In this guide, we explain the market opportunities, the Noise Control, Vibration & Acoustics Consultancy license, and the full business setup process.

The UAE Green Visa is designed for skilled professionals who want more flexibility and independence in Dubai. Unlike traditional work visas, it offers five years of validity, self-sponsorship, and the ability to sponsor family members. In this guide, we explain the eligibility criteria, application process, costs, and key benefits so you can decide if the Green Visa is the right choice for your long-term plans in the UAE.

Environmental consultancy is a growing business in Dubai, driven by the city’s focus on sustainability and compliance. In this article, we explain how to set up your consultancy, the license options available such as Environmental Engineering Services and Environmental Consultants & Studies, estimated costs, and required approvals. Whether you plan to operate with a mainland or free zone license, COFTT will guide you through every step to ensure a smooth and compliant setup.

Geotechnical investigation and soil testing consultancies are vital in Dubai’s construction sector, as no project can begin without certified soil reports. In this guide, we explain the market demand, license options including soil analysis services, setup costs, external approvals, and post-formation steps such as VAT, MoHRE, and bank account registration.

Urban planning consultancy is a high-demand sector in Dubai, serving developers, government authorities, and major investors. In this guide, we explain how to start your consultancy, the licenses available, setup costs in both mainland and free zones, external approvals, and post-formation requirements.

Valet parking and parking management services are in high demand across malls, hotels, residential communities, and events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In this article, we explain the market opportunity, the license options available, the cost of registration, and the external approvals you will need.

In this article, we break down the risks and vulnerabilities of using nominee shareholders and directors in Dubai. You’ll learn how nominee structures can hide true ownership, create compliance challenges, and even expose companies to legal and financial risks. We also explain how businesses can stay transparent and compliant while protecting their interests.

In this article, we explain how Indian manufacturers facing high US tariffs can export to the USA from India through Dubai. You will learn why simple re-routing does not work, how to obtain a UAE Certificate of Origin, and the step by step process of setting up a Free Zone or Mainland establishment in Dubai.

In this article, we explain how foreign investors can start a solar panels business in Dubai. You will learn about the booming market, opportunities in import, export, and manufacturing, and the step by step process to set up. Whether you are an established company in Europe or the United States or a new entrepreneur, Dubai offers the perfect base to grow across the Middle East and beyond.

In this article, we explain what a nominee director is and why many businesses in Dubai appoint one. You will learn how nominee directors work, why they are used for privacy or regulatory reasons, and how ownership remains protected through legal agreements. With simple examples, this guide makes the concept easy to understand for entrepreneurs planning to set up a company in Dubai.

In this article, we explain how to start a furniture trading business in Dubai, including license options, costs, and required approvals. You will also learn why importing furniture from countries like India and China is a smart strategy and how choosing the right niche, whether luxury, affordable, or office furniture, is the key to success in the UAE market.

In this article, we explain how VAT applies to property management companies in Dubai, especially those handling short-term rentals like Airbnb, holiday homes, and hotel apartments. You’ll learn the general VAT rules, how commissions and service fees are taxed, the difference between acting as an agent or a principal, and practical examples of VAT calculation. For tailored guidance, COFTT’s business and tax consultants can review your model and help you stay fully compliant.

In this article, we explain why more Indian exporters are moving operations to Dubai after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods. You’ll learn about the impact of tariffs, the benefits of setting up in Dubai, industries leading the shift, Free Zone opportunities, business setup steps, and the long-term growth potential of using Dubai as a global hub.

In this article, you will discover how influencers can operate legally in Dubai while doing brand collaborations. We explain the NMC e-Media license, freelance and trade license options, the rules every influencer must follow, and the real costs involved.

In this article, we explained how to start a cargo business in Dubai, the opportunities available, different types of cargo services like sea freight, air freight, courier delivery, and country-specific cargo, the regions you can target, and the approvals and licenses you need. We also discussed the difference between mainland and Free Zone licenses, the step-by-step registration process, required external approvals, and post-registration formalities.