< Previous50 Vol. 24/04, April 2023 STARTING A RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN DUBAI Ramy Hachem, founder of multi- dimensional business solution provider RAYVEN, on why the f&b industry in the emirate is set for another year of growth State-of-the-art infrastructure Ease of acquiring trading licenses Ease in setting up a business Rising number of residents/tourists Dubai’s booming food industry Dubai has a thriving food industry, with a diverse range of cuisine options available, from traditional Emirati dishes to international cuisines. According to a report by the Department of Economic Development (DED), the number of restaurants in Dubai increased by 9.7 percent last year, with a whopping 11,813 restaurants doing business at the start of the year. Dubai now is home for 85 percent of the best restaurants worldwide, which clearly demonstrates the potential that this young city has. In Dubai, there is no need for you to worry about the infrastructural requirements as it is at par with the global standards in infrastructure, modern amenities, and architecture. During Covid, Dubai proved that restaurant businesses were able to survive, unlike most of the big cities. Pre-Covid, international brands used to consider their presence in Dubai as a “good luxury presence” and not necessarily to generate good income. Post-pandemic, being present in Dubai is a necessity and as a city, provides a basis for good and progressive business structures that can support profi ts and incomes. The government of the UAE is always on the lookout for new strategies to attract new investors by continuously improving the ease of business formation and operation through various of channels.Being a cosmopolitan city, with more than 190 nationalities living in harmony, and the strategic geographic positioning of the UAE on the world map, made food trading (export and import) in the UAE a notable business. This refl ects the ease of fi nding all types of foodstuff, raw materials, and food supply needed for almost any type of restaurant that wishes to operate in the UAE. Starting a business in the UAE is hassle- free and quick if the right procedures are followed, particularly in Dubai. It is highly suggested to hire a local consultant so that you can focus on your fledgling business while the consultant takes care of the rest. For instance, investors can form a company in minutes now, online; hiring credible consultants and operators can connect you hassle-free with the right players and suppliers, as well as guide you through the laws and regulations related to food safety, labour laws, municipality approvals, civil defence approvals and all the related prerequisites needed to operate a restaurant in Dubai successfully. Dubai has always been the financial and commercial hub of the UAE. Due to this, there has been a massive infl ux of people who want to work or set up a business in Dubai. The Dubai Food Festival, for example, which is held annually, attracts thousands of visitors and showcases the city’s culinary offerings, and is a fantastic space for new and established restaurants. We believe that Dubai created and still creating what world residents are looking for - safety in the fi rst place - hence, it is widely agreed that the UAE population will keep on growing by attracting people looking for safety, stability, opportunities and a tech-forward city..Tuesday 6 th June 2023 Voco Riyadh, KSA NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN connect.arabianbusiness.com Recognizing the change makers and achievers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia For commercial and event enquiries: Saraswati Agarwal GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Tel: +971 4 444 3352 GSM: +971 52 895 2214 E-mail: saraswati.agarwal@itp.com Daniel Fewtrell DIRECTOR OF AWARDS & MARKETING Tel: 971 4 444 3684 E-mail: daniel.fewtrell@itp.com SCAN TO VISIT THE WEBSITEwww.ftnft.comNext >