A foreign company can supply goods or services from abroad in Dubai through a licensed importer on a supply-of-goods basis or through a commercial agent/distributor. The commercial agent is entitled to statutory exclusive rights to distribute and market products and goods within a certain territory; they receive a commission for services. The agent must register this agency agreement with the Ministry of Economy (MOE).

Prerequisites

• Agent must be a UAE national or a wholly-owned UAE entity incorporated in the UAE.
• Agent must be listed on the Ministry of Economy’s Commercial Register.
• A commercial agent agreement must include: name, nationality and address of agent.
• If a commercial company, agreement must include company’s name and description.
• If commercial company, include head office, branch addresses and capital amount.
• List of products, commodities and services covered by company.
• Territory that the agreement covers.
• Date on which the agreement comes into effect.
• Duration of the agency and provisions in event of default.

• Agent’s trade licence and MOE Commercial Register certificate (original and copy).
• Authenticated commercial agent agreement (original and copy).
• Registration fee (varies)
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) (one certified/one normal).
• Passport of each partner (copy).
• Certificate proving commercial agent/company is owned by UAE nationals (original and copy).

Procedure

• Ministry of Economy (MOE)
• Notarise the commercial agent agreement in Dubai, or in country of principal draft.
• If notarised in the country of principal draft, agreement must be attested by the UAE Embassy.
• If notarised in Dubai, it must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Register the agreement with the Ministry of Economy’s Commercial Registration department.
• Submit application form and all documents to MOE.
• Pay fees (varies)
• MOE will reply within 15 days
• If accepted, agent will receive authenticated certificate confirming registration.
• Details of the commercial agent agreement will be published in the MOE’s Commercial Bulletin.
• If declined, MOE must provide reasons for dismissal.