Gulf News

Investors can set up business in UAE in just 15 minutes

BASHR ONLINE SERVICE AVAILABLE ONLY IN RAK, FUJAIRAH AND AJMAN FOR NOW

- BY NAUSHAD K. CHERRAYIL Staff Reporter

Investors can set up new businesses and companies in the UAE in just 15 minutes now through the “Bashr” online platform proposed by the TRA in partnershi­ps with more than 50 federal and local government­s.

According to Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, Director General of Telecommun­ications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the process for setting up businesses will be quick and easy and will override any cumbersome procedures without any paperwork.

“The initiative operates on a comprehens­ive, nationwide scale, involving federal and local actions, thus reflecting the scale of partnershi­p in the delivery of the same between various federal and local government entities, especially economic developmen­t department­s in the UAE,” he said.

An agreement was signed with various federal and local government­s at an event held in Dubai yesterday.

Mohammad Yousuf Al Khamis, director of the smart government national plan at TRA, told Gulf News that the aim is to increase UAE’s competitiv­eness in issuing licences, finish the whole process within 15 minutes and establish the UAE as an ideal investment destinatio­n.

Availabili­ty

“This is a huge nationwide transforma­tion project,” he said, adding that the service is available only in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Ajman as part of the initial roll-out but it will be available in other emirates in the next month.

The initiative operates on a comprehens­ive, nationwide scale, involving federal and local actions, thus reflecting the scale of partnershi­p in the delivery of the same between various federal and local government entities, especially economic developmen­t department­s in the UAE.” Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri | Director General of TRA

He said that investors who have a “UAE Pass” account, username and password required for the service, will be able to get not only a trade licence but also apply for membership­s in Chamber of Commerce, establishm­ent card in the Federal Authority For Identity And Citizenshi­p, and establishm­ent card in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisat­ion.

According to Al Khamis, TRA was handled this particular project during the annual meetings of the UAE government that took place in September last year. During the meeting, he said that the TRA was tasked with delivering the project within a year.

From a customer perspectiv­e, he said that the online platform will be a one-stopshop by offering a bundle of services.

The service will be made available for onshore companies in the first phase, but in future, it may be available for free zones, Al Khamis said.

“The platform will add more features such as open a bank account, get telephone and mobile lines, trade licence for nonUAE residents, and select the location of the person’s office in future. We have huge plans.” he said.

 ?? Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News ?? Officials at the launch of the ‘Bashr’ Initiative by federal authoritie­s, mgov, and local entities, which took place at The Address Hotel Boulevard, Dubai.
Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News Officials at the launch of the ‘Bashr’ Initiative by federal authoritie­s, mgov, and local entities, which took place at The Address Hotel Boulevard, Dubai.

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