Tuesday, October 27, 2020

DDA Facilitates Business Parks and Free Zones in Dubai

Dubai is one of the travel destination hubs in the world that offers world-class amenities such as high-end resorts, beaches, luxury shopping malls, and fascinating parks promoting different qualities and features that captivates residents and tourists. From the simplest to the most enthralling parks around Dubai needs a governing entity that will maintain and furnish future developments in all aspects. Dubai Development Authority or DDA, formerly known as DCCA holds the responsibility of ratifying innovation and business developments in various parks and Free Zones in Dubai. The Dubai government assures to provide world-class structures, services, leisure, and amusement offered by the business parks under the regulations of DDA Approval

Dubai Development Authority also provides services required to set up and manage a business in several Free Zones in Dubai, from company registration and licensing to employee and administrative services, even with the initial and completion approvals and permits required for the building and construction process. DDA Approval standards are precisely established to effectively mandate and contribute to the future growth of Dubai’s economy that will set the world-class merit for urbanization and the business sector. DDA is committed to its obligation to foster economic excellence by establishing the foundation of business-friendly environments for companies, investors, stakeholders, real estate developers, and every contributor to economic progress. 

The Dubai Development Authority focuses on the following highlights that elevate the services and guidelines of DDA Approval to lead and be competitive in the global standards of cutting-edge transformation and merit.

Real estate planning and development control

Governing the regulations, standards, licensing, and approval services for all strategic projects and industries within DDA’s jurisdiction

Industry development or industrialization


Several free zones and business parks specializing in different industries create individual cluster environments under DDA Approval. The efficient interaction and collaboration generates synergy within the business environment, which results in economic progress. DDA effectively facilitates business parks and free zones in Dubai to provide opportunities for investors and also job seekers who are seeking success in the country. These great opportunities lead to higher economic growth that sets Dubai as a globally competitive city for the leisure, engineering, and business sectors.


Dubai Municipality Approval

Dubai Approvals

Engineering Consultants in Dubai

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Licenses and Permits for Food & Beverage Business in Dubai

 UAE has been a destination hub for different kinds of people such as job seekers, travel and food enthusiasts, and investors from all around the world with the vision to seek, discover, and even set up businesses in the country. The food sector in Dubai offers a fusion of cuisine and a variety of food and beverage products to the multicultural population of the country. To assure that the products and services under the food & beverage sector pass the business and food safety standards of the country, Dubai established various government authorities who are responsible for imposing rules and regulations for various kinds of businesses and projects including the food and beverage business in Dubai.

Whether you decide to open a food and beverage business or a restaurant in the Dubai mainland or a free zone there are several authorities in charge of the area of the business that provides approvals, licensing, and permits needed prior to the setup of businesses in Dubai namely, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing or DTCM, Dubai Economic Development or DED, Dubai Municipality or DM, and other relevant authorities. The Food Control Department Dubai is one of the main authorities to get food and beverage business approvals ensuring to follow the Food Code under the Food Safety Standards. The Food Code ensures safety at all costs from the initial phase of food production to the final phase of food consumption and guides the business owners and staffs about food safety standards in the food sector.

The Food Code initiative under the Food Control Department Dubai is applicable to the following category of business setup in Dubai.

Restaurants, hotels, cafeteria, and cafes.

Bakeries, Departmental stores, Supermarkets, and Grocery.

Food catering services, supplies to the cruise ship, desert camps, events, kiosks, and canteens.

Foodservice operation institutions in schools and hospitals.

Food factories, Food packing material manufacturers and supplies, and Warehouses.

Food events (temporary and permanent), Mobile vending operations, and Butcheries.


Food & Beverage Licenses and Permits

Trade license

Either the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing for DTCM permit, the Department of Economic Development or DED for the mainland, or the independent authority for a particular free zone are responsible for providing trade licenses for business setup in Dubai. A selection of the appropriate food establishment category is important will be specified in the trade license.

The construction and drawing plans must be submitted and approved by the Food Control Department Dubai after acquiring the trade license.

Food license

Food license is provided by the Food Control Department Dubai or the Food Safety Department in Dubai with the following documents listed below that must be produced and submitted to the Food Control Department Dubai to obtain the business license or for any food & beverage business setup in Dubai.

Copy of the trade license or primary approval from DTCM

Interior design layout of the project including a blueprint showing the following:

Entry and exit passages

Food processing area

Food storage area

Windows and ventilation system

Location of food processing equipment 

Washing machines, dishwashers, and other supportive equipment

Planning department approval is required if the business project is located outside the shopping center.

Application for NOC on foodstuff establishment trade license from the Food Safety Department or the Food Control Department Dubai is needed to complete the issuance of trade license relevant to the food business from DED or DTCM.


Other Licenses and Permits

Food transportation vehicle permit

Food truck license

Pork permit

Food Consignment Release license 

Liquor license


Food Safety Measures

Proper appointment of qualified personnel, who will be responsible for the operations and food processing will be appointed by a person with specialized training.

It is necessary to obtain a NOC from the Dubai Municipality-Public Health Department before the commencement of the business. All of these requirements for licenses and permits according to the Food Control Department Dubai needs to be followed to avoid any problems before and after the business setup process and especially during the business operation. You may look for engineering companies in Dubai that offer services for Dubai Approvals, especially from the Food Control Department Dubai and other relevant authority approval for the food sector.

DM Approval - Building and Construction License and Permits

There is no doubt that Dubai is ahead of progression because of the business opportunities that shoots its economy to the top. The engineering industry also strives to be one of the remarkable reasons for economic progress, giving world-class building settings for top-notch businesses wanting to be successful in the new land of innovation and opportunities. Thus, Dubai Municipality or DM, as one of the authorities for the city’s urbanization, regulates standards for approval, licensing, and permits. 


Over the decades, Dubai Municipality has excelled in managing and leading to make Dubai one of the most innovative and sustainable global cities. DM effectively synchronized its rules and regulations with the side by side building and construction projects within its jurisdiction. The said authority sets feasible standards before a contractor, consultant, or anyone can start a building and construction project in the city, which is called Dubai Municipality approval or DM approval. It is used to easily establish the standards set by the government prior to the initiation of the building and construction process. Dubai Municipality Approval provides official approvals, licenses, or permissions, which are required for the building or engineering contractor before it can initiate the project. 

Here are important things to know about Building and Construction Licensing and permits under DM Approval.

There are various of Dubai approval authorities with different sectors or jurisdiction within Dubai, however, Licences and Permits under DM Approval generally requires the following.

First in hand, all contractors working in Dubai should acquire a Contractor Classification Licence, which will allow them to work as a contractor.

Civil works permit including works prior to any foundations.

Building Permit which includes the submission design drawings of the proposed building by the contractor.

Environmental Permit or Licence

Access Road and Internal Road network Permit from the Roads and Transport Authority or RTA Permit

Approved Disposal of Hazardous Waste Plan

Approved DEWA Permit and Telecommunications Permit

No-objection certificates or NOC from Dubai Civil Defense, or from other related government entities

Building Completion Certificate


Building and construction projects must follow the standards and requirements of DM approval or with other Dubai Approval standards to obtain necessary licenses and permits and to avoid any problem restraining the progress and completion of the projects. There are several Engineering consultants in Dubai that offer services in acquiring Dubai Municipality approval and other needed Dubai approvals from other authorities. They extend services to make every approval process easy for clients and to start up their business setup process in no time.