Set Up a Company in Abu Dhabi

Investors choose to set up a company in Abu Dhabi to tap the opportunities of this oil-rich emirate. That said, the process to set up a company in Abu Dhabi is expensive and often difficult. The following information will help you determine whether or not to set up a company in Abu Dhabi.
Advantages to Set Up a Company in Abu Dhabi
1.	Many entrepreneurs who wish to set up a company in Abu Dhabi choose a limited liability company (LLC), which is legally tax-exempt.
2.	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.
3.	Through an Abu Dhabi branch company, one can wholly own the entity and not be subject to an annual audit. For more information visit our Abu Dhabi Branch Company page.
4.	An Abu Dhabi Branch company is not required to appoint a UAE national as 51% shareholder.
5.	An Abu Dhabi company is not perceived as an offshore company in a tax haven. Abu Dhabi is a reputable and regulated trading jurisdiction.
Disadvantages to Set Up a Company in Abu Dhabi
1.	The government levies high fees to set up a company in Abu Dhabi.
2.	UAE company law is inconsistent and complex.
3.	The challenge to set up a company in Abu Dhabi is exacerbated by inefficient bureaucracy.
4.	For an LLC, 100% foreign ownership is only available to investors who set up a company in Abu Dhabi in the oil and gas-related products and services sector. Otherwise, to set up a company in Abu Dhabi, an LLC is required to appoint a UAE national as a 51% shareholder.
5.	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.
6.	Investors who set up a company in Abu Dhabi through an LLC are required to lodge a minimum capital of US$41,000.
7.	Having set up a company in Abu Dhabi, a register of shareholders and directors is available for public viewing.
8.	UAE company formation is both difficult and expensive because of high government fees ii) inconsistent and complex Dubai company law and iii) inefficient bureaucracy. According to the World Bank's Doing Business 2008 Survey, the UAE is the world's 68th easiest place to do business. The survey measures factors including business start up procedures, time, cost and minimum capital required to start a business.
9.	Having set up a company in Abu Dhabi, annual audited financial statements need to be submitted to the Abu Dhabi government.
10.	An Abu Dhabi Branch company cannot obtain a UAE trade license from the government.
Contact Us
For more information on how to set up a company in Abu Dhabi, please email email@healyconsultants.com or telephone us at (+65) 6735 0120.
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