Dubai recorded a 63 per cent surge in the number of e-commerce business licences issued in the first half of the year, as the pandemic-induced consumer demand for online shopping continues to grow.
Dubai Economy issued 3,243 DED Trader licences during the first six months of 2021, up from 1,989 licences in the same period a year ago, it said on Saturday.
IT topped the list of licensed activities, followed by ready-made garments, ladies tailoring and design, handicraft workshops, gents tailoring and design, food preparation, commercial brokerage, exhibitions and other professional services.
Male entrepreneurs accounted for the highest share, 63 per cent, of the total DED Trader licences issued during the first half of the year, the government body said.
This type of licence was first issued by the emirate’s Department of Economic Development's Business Registration and Licensing section in 2017, allowing business activities online and across social networking accounts.
The licence aims to promote e-commerce and economic competitiveness, drive digital transformation and facilitate commercial activities digitally.
The DED Trader licence can be obtained electronically on the invest.dubai.ae portal.
“Through DED Trader, Dubai Economy seeks to regulate and enhance the ease of doing business electronically, while also offering a platform that supports and develops trade as well as connects customers with traders,” the government body said. “The licensee cannot open a shop/store but can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100 per cent Emirati and legal liability falls on the licence holder.”
Dubai Economy is providing support to the DED Trader licence holders by signing partnerships with government and private sectors, providing facilities for their business growth as well as opening new channels by enhancing co-operation with major sales outlets.
It partnered with noon.com, the Dubai homegrown digital marketplace, to connect local start-ups with customers across the region through its Mahali digital store. Mahali by noon.com is a programme designed to offer Emirati start-ups with digital business support and expertise to grow their businesses online.
Dubai Economy has also partnered with MyFatoorah to facilitate e-payments for transactions related to DED Trader licences; Talabat to display and sell food items through its platform and with Akshaak marketplace to display and sell products of DED Trader licence holders online for free.
Opting for a DED Trader licence provides benefits such as Dubai Chamber membership, bank facilities, temporary employment services, participation in exhibitions and conferences, access to training workshops and the provision of workspace, the department said.
Online retailers are expanding their product ranges to attract customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The value of the UAE’s retail e-commerce market rose 53 per cent to a record $3.9 billion in 2020, largely driven by the digital shift in consumer shopping habits amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a June report by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. E-commerce accounted for 8 per cent of the UAE’s overall retail market last year, the report added.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
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The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
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