Abu Dhabi marks Emirati Women’s Day with special exemptions

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has now excluded women from the Emirates from paying the Mubdiah licensing and renewal fees.    

The decision follows the Civil Defense Directorate’s call to promote entrepreneurship among the nation’s women.

Mubdiah, a business project initiated by the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council aims to enable Emirati women to run business from home.

Civil Defense partnered with ADDED and the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC) in making this decision.

ADDED joined the entire country in celebrating the Emirati Women’s Day 2020 with this decision. This year’s celebration is based on the theme ‘Preparing for the next 50 years: Women are the support for the nation.’

The exemption aims to encourage women to embark on projects across vital sectors, especially in the services industry by reducing the cost of doing business in Abu Dhabi

“ADDED has always extended its support to Emirati women, ensuring that they have access to opportunities that will help them succeed and excel as well as allow them to take on leadership roles with confidence. This is in line with the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to empower women and reinforce their pivotal role in the socio-economic growth of the country.”

Al Balooshi clarified that ADBWC will be responsible to review and assess the applications submitted by women entrepreneurs for the ‘Mubdiah’ license and to issue preliminary approval.

The new ‘Freelancer’ license for UAE nationals has recently been introduced by ADDED to entice them to go into business.

The license covers 52 commercial activities and is given to local freelancers who, even without an official business location or organizational structure, can carry out business activities.

Al Balooshi pointed out that ADDED is keen to open up more such freelance businesses.

As of 2005, ADDED has issued a total of 1,632 ‘Mubdiah’ licenses, 884 of which were in Abu Dhabi city, 625 in Al Ain city and 123 in Al Dhafra area, according to Al Balooshi.

The ‘Mubdiah’ license covers various business operations, including animal ghee preparation and sale, textile and fabric printing, interior design, women’s clothing sewing and tailoring, production and sale of bread and its related goods and coffee retail sales.

It is also given to women entrepreneurs interested in producing graphic designs and selling the following items: dates, agar, pickles, herbs, fabrics and textiles, mattresses and sponge covers, ornaments and inexpensive accessories, shoes, bags and leather goods, perfumes and cosmetics and fragrances, oud and incense.