Dubai continues to record increased business activities as trade licences issued during the second quarter of 2012 jumped by 17 per cent over same period last year.

The total number of trade licenses issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Department (DED) during the June quarter of 2012 reached 4,499 compared to 3,859 licenses issued over the same period in 2011. More licenses were issued in the Commercial, Professional, Tourism and Industrial categories reflecting a growing interest in investing and doing business in Dubai.

“The Tourism sector accounted for the largest increase (51 per cent) in business licences during the April-June 2012 period. Professional licences increased by 19 per cent and Commercial licences by 16 per cent during the same period,” said Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, chief executive officer of Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) division at DED. At the same time, Commercial licenses accounted for 73 per cent of the total licenses issued, followed by Professional (25 per cent).

The remaining two per cent was equally split between the Industrial and Tourism sectors. Amended licenses increased 11 per cent in the second quarter.

DED’s total transactions relating to business registration and licensing reached 158,174 during the second quarter of 2012, an increase of 22 per cent year on year. Reserved trade names increased 35 per cent to 17,385 while initial approvals touched 8,068, an increase of 28 per cent. “The Intelaq licenses for home-based businesses and professional activities grew three per cent year-on-year and the increase was up to 60 per cent in the Professional services category,” Al Saadi added. Commercial licenses under Intelaq dropped 17 per cent but this was mainly due to recent rearrangements made in license provisions, wherein Intelaq licenses are handled by Dubai SME.

The total number of commercial activities licensed in the second quarter was 12,236, with General trade leading the list of the top 10 licensed activities (535 licenses) followed by Dyes & paints (433), both showing a four per cent increase. Tiling of floors and walls (414); Carpentry and flooring (408); Sanitary extensions & wares (395); Installation of air conditioning systems, ventilation and air purification (381): Installation of suspended ceilings and light partitions (368) and Readymade garments (314) come next in the list.

The number of professional activities licensed reached 3,133 in the second quarter with residences and building cleaning services leading the list of the top 10 licensed activities with 277 licences — an increase of nine per cent — followed by Restaurants (133), Sewing and Embroidery.