Incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity

Investors incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity do so to tap the opportunities of this oil-rich emirate. That said, incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity is expensive and difficult. The following information will help you determine whether incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity is the optimum strategy for your business needs.
Advantages to Incorporating an Abu Dhabi Entity
1.	Many entrepreneurs incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity choose a limited liability company (LLC), which is legally tax-exempt.
2.	An Abu Dhabi company is not perceived as an offshore company in a tax haven. Abu Dhabi is a reputable and regulated trading jurisdiction.
3.	Healy Consultants can open global corporate bank accounts to support Abu Dhabi company formation. Healy Consultants works with internationally recognised banks such as HSBC, Standard Chartered and Citibank to provide corporate bank account services.
4.	An Abu Dhabi Branch company is not required to appoint a UAE national as 51% shareholder.
5.	The UAE ranks a positive 39th on the United Nations Human Development Index, which rates a country on its overall life expectancy, literacy, education and living standards.
Disadvantages to Incorporating an Abu Dhabi Entity
1.	The government levies high fees for incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity.
2.	UAE company law is inconsistent and complex.
3.	The challenge of incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity is exacerbated by inefficient bureaucracy.
4.	For an LLC, 100% foreign ownership is only available to investors incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity in the oil and gas-related products and services sector. Otherwise, when incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity, an LLC is required to appoint a UAE national as a 51% shareholder.
5.	Investors incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity through an LLC are required to lodge a minimum capital of US$41,000.
6.	After incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity, a register of shareholders and directors is available for public viewing.
7.	After incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity, annual audited financial statements need to be submitted to the Abu Dhabi government.
8.	The UAE is negatively ranked as the world's 63rd freest economy in the Heritage Organisation's 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, a measure of freedom enjoyed in business, trade, monetary, financial, investment and labour markets.
9.	An Abu Dhabi Branch company cannot obtain a UAE trade license from the government.
Contact Us
For more information on incorporating an Abu Dhabi entity, email email@healyconsultants.com or telephone us at (+65) 6735 0120.
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