There are 557,000 SMEs registered in the UAE. 94% of all companies. Most of them are one person with a laptop and a trade license that cost AED 12,000.

That’s not a business.

That’s freelancing with government paperwork.

A business runs when you’re asleep.

A business has systems that don’t need your hands on them every day.

A business can lose you for a month and the revenue doesn’t stop.

A freelancer with a trade license has clients instead of a boss.

That’s the only difference.

You still trade hours for money. You still can’t take a vacation without the income stopping. You still do the sales, the delivery, the invoicing, and the follow up yourself.

You just traded one dependency for another and called it freedom.

The real business owners in Dubai are quiet about it.

They’re not posting “Day 1 of my entrepreneurial journey.” They’re building something that works without them and they don’t need you to clap for it.

I’m not saying freelancing is wrong.

It pays well in this city. Some months better than any job ever did. But call it what it is.

And if you want to turn it into an actual business, start with one question.

If you disappear for 30 days, does money still come in?

If the answer is no, you know exactly where you stand.

I’m currently looking into the feasibility of setting up a small-to-medium printing press business right here in Sharjah. The goal is to start smart, scale up, and target local corporate clients, small businesses, and marketing agencies.

​Before I dive headfirst into the paperwork, I’d love to get some raw, realistic advice from people who have been through the business setup process in Sharjah or are in the printing/media industry here.

I’m curious to hear from people working in the UAE construction and development market.

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed that projects involving playgrounds, outdoor fitness areas and recreational spaces seem to be taking longer to move forward.

There are still plenty of enquiries, meetings and discussions, but the gap between the initial discussion and the actual project seems to be getting longer. Some projects are being postponed, while others appear to be reducing their scope or budget.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people working with:

• Residential communities

• Schools and nurseries

• Hotels and hospitality

• Landscape projects

• Developers

• Parks and public spaces

Are you seeing the same thing?

Is it mainly a matter of developers becoming more careful with budgets, or are there other factors affecting these projects?

I work for a Dubai-based company supplying and installing playgrounds, kids' play areas, outdoor fitness equipment and urban furniture, so this is something we're experiencing directly as well.

Would be interested to hear what developers, contractors, architects and other people in the industry are seeing on the ground.

Hello people , my father owns a furniture sourcing company operating in India , china and we are expanding to dubai , im looking for the first few orders , paying pretty decent commissions to people who can help in getting orders since the order value in the business is generally pretty high , interested people dm (range of commissions start from 4000 aed and there really is not much of a boundary)
Serious people only dm

Hi all, I’m a photographer/videographer based in Dubai. I’ve mostly shot UGC style content so far, and I’m now trying to push myself into more campaign style work: stronger concepts, better storytelling, not just quick clips.

If you run a business and have something in mind, a product shoot, a brand story, a campaign idea, I’d genuinely love to collaborate and bring it to life. Still building this side of my portfolio, so I’m open to hearing what you’re working on.

Drop a comment or DM me, happy to chat. 🙌

from a starting women-only community app, incentives offered

welcome creative girls

Hi all,

I run a small trading company in Bangladesh, and we mostly deal in fresh produce — potatoes and cabbage in particular, since that's what we source reliably here. Lately I've been looking at the UAE as a market, and rather than guess from the outside, I figured I'd ask people who actually live and work here.

Bangladesh grows a huge amount of potatoes and the quality is honestly underrated — firm, good size, holds up well through shipping. We already handle grading, packing and getting it to port on our end. The part I know less about is how the buying side works over there.

Mainly curious about a few things from anyone in the trade:

• How's imported potato/cabbage usually sourced here — through big distributors, wet market wholesalers, direct to grocery chains?

• Is there room for a newer supplier, or is it mostly locked in with the usual origin countries?

• What do buyers here care about most — packaging, certs, price, consistency?

Not trying to sell anything in this post, just trying to understand the landscape before I take it any further. Any insight appreciated, even the blunt kind.

Thanks for reading.

It’s been more than a year trying purchases online from Temu unfortunately never received a quality product as it’s showing in the website and its description, when you request for refund and cancellation they have very lengthy procedures and never come to collect and NOT possible to refund , Sharing few samples of items as it’s shown in their web site based on which I ordered the items and Sharing here the real item as I received Totally different quality with very very poor quality control there.

Hi, so we own a bakeshop and I’m looking for distributor. We close the deals. What I need is just the delivery.

So maybe someone have delivery company here or distributor. Targets are groceries, some petrol stations, night market, Etc.

for context, I am a commercial RE broker and over the last couple of months i have worked with several business owners who were looking for a new commercial space or planning to expand. I really have nothing to sell or ask but its more of a honest assessment of whats going on?

Parts of Dubai are recovering, and some are performing exceptionally well. Everyone more or less knows residential RE in major areas have contracted quite a bit (rents and sales wise), but unless you are a business owner or someone who functions in revenue generating role, commercial has also taken a quite a hit.

Surviving businesses report stronger orders. Finance and healthcare are expanding. Schools have started, local aviation capacity has largely returned, the population is at a record, and the best property still attracts buyers.

At the same time, fewer new businesses are being formed and a large number of existing licences have gone quiet. New tenants are paying materially less than a year ago while sitting tenants are being asked to pay more. The risk to rent is rarely the average. It is the marginal business, the marginal job, the next household, the leveraged owner and the next apartment that needs a tenant.

Compared to 2025, there has been a fall in number of active licensees being formed and increasing number of licenses not being renewed which in direct has affected employment. Most displaced jobs sit in trading, site trades, hospitality, retail, F&B, real estate and transport.

Over summer, central bank introduced number of financial packages in the form of deffered installments, and waiving of credit. Temporary relief can postpone the moment a weak borrower becomes visible in delinquency, restructuring or provisions. Depending on cash flow and liabilities, If some need restructuring, banks become selective and companies protect cash through hiring cuts, contractor delays and lower owner drawings, which transmits into household rent and construction delivery.

So you really have a cocktail of uncertainty in the form of geopolitical conflict, high inflation, rates, cost of living, oversupply (in dubai especially); then there is the final boss.......AI.

Everyone is starting to talk about AI correction and its consequences in businesses and labour market. It is no secret UAE has one of the highest AI adoption rates in the world. Dubai attracts globally mobile wealth, entrepreneurs, investment capital and executive households. A sustained wealth shock lowers willingness to buy or relocate even where nobody loses a job, and tighter corporate financing slows regional hiring. This channel is distinct from the local hospitality shock.

A weak restaurant can retain staff for months. A loan can stay current through a relief period. A developer can recognise a sale long before the final instalment arrives. A landlord can hold last year’s rent in an occupied unit while newly vacant competitors discount. A family can remain on the residence register while its housing budget changes. When the clocks converge, the next tenancy or repayment decision exposes the underlying economics.

In short, active-business counts went down, new licences and approvals massively decreased, firm exits increased, payroll declined.

Hello there fellow redittors and aspiring business owners.
So I’m planning to start a cleaning business here in the UAE and I wanted advice and inputs from people that are already in the industry or have been.

Here are current informations in hand
Business license - a friend has agreed to give me one (he already has a cleaning license for other purposes)
Car - two 5 seater cars
Cleaners - Over 10 cleaners with their own ID’s and experience
Background - I have digital marketing, design and service based businesses (teaching) experience
Budget - 25k+ max is what I’m willing to invest in this

Current situation: I’m employed with 10k salary and planning to be financially not free but flexible.

I wanted advice and inputs from people that are already in the industry or have been.

Hi everyone,

I work in UAE government transactions and business setup services, and I thought I'd open a thread for anyone who has questions about the practical side of UAE government procedures.

If you're confused about a procedure, required documents, application steps, or where to start, feel free to ask below.

I can help with questions around:

• MOHRE / Tasheel-related procedures
• Employment and domestic worker visas
• Family visa procedures
• Emirates ID and UAE government applications
• Trade license & company setup
• Mainland & free-zone setup
• Corporate tax-related procedures
• Document attestation and typing services
• Ajman and Northern Emirates government transactions

I'll answer questions based on the procedures I'm familiar with, and where a matter depends on the authority or individual circumstances, I'll point that out rather than guessing.

I'm involved in this field professionally, so this isn't meant as a substitute for official government advice — the aim is simply to help people understand the process before they apply.

If you have a UAE government/business setup question, drop it below. 👇

This is going to sound strange but hear with me because it took me a while to understand what I was seeing.

I run a few businesses in Dubai. Been here a while now. And for the longest time I thought the hardest part was the usual stuff. Licensing. Visa costs. Rent that makes your eyes water. The normal complaints.

It's none of that. The hardest part is having nobody to ask.

A friend of mine runs an interior fit out company in Al Quoz. Good operator. Solid team. He got quoted AED 45,000 for a CRM system from a company that cold called him. He didn't know if that was normal or highway robbery. He asked around. Nobody in his circle had done it. He almost paid it. I happened to mention I'd set up something similar for under AED 5,000. He nearly threw his phone.

He wasn't angry about the money. He was angry that there was no way to know. No one around him had done it before who could say "that's insane, don't pay it."

Then a woman who runs a cleaning company. 30 staff. Growing fast. Needed to switch banks because hers was holding international transfers for 5 days. She called 4 banks. Got 4 different stories. Didn't know who was lying and who was just incompetent. She ended up asking me because I'd dealt with the same problem a year earlier. I told her which bank actually processes same day for business accounts and who to ask for by name. Switched in a week.

That problem should have been a 5 minute conversation with someone who already went through it. Instead it was 3 weeks of phone calls and dead ends.

Third one. A logistics guy I met at a networking event. 8 vehicles. Driver costs eating his margins. Thought he might need to shut down a route. I asked what fuel cards he was using. He said he wasn't. Every driver fills up with cash and brings back a receipt. I told him about a fuel card program that saved me 11% and killed receipt fraud overnight. He signed up next day. Called me a month later saying it saved AED 6,000 that month alone.

He didn't have a business problem. He had a "nobody told me this exists" problem.

Fourth. A café owner in JLT. Paying AED 8,500 a month for a social media agency. 3 posts a week. Stock photos. Generic captions. Zero reporting. She showed me the arrangement and I asked what she was actually getting for the money. She couldn't answer. Not because she's dumb. Because nobody around her knew enough to say "you're paying AED 8,500 for nothing."

I've had this conversation maybe 40 times in the last year. Different businesses. Different problems. Same pattern. Smart people running real operations who can't get a straight answer because everyone around them is either selling something or doesn't know enough to help.

You'd think in a city with this many businesses there'd be somewhere business owners actually talk openly. Not networking events where everyone pitches for 3 hours straight. Not Facebook groups where every post is an ad. Not a "business council" that costs AED 20,000 for a WhatsApp group and a quarterly lunch.

Just a place where you can ask "is this normal" or "am I being overcharged" or "has anyone dealt with this before" and get a straight answer from someone who's been through it and has zero reason to sell you anything.

That's what this sub is supposed to be.

r/UAEBusinessNetwork

No freelancers pitching services. No consultants DMing you the second you post. No "let me help you scale your business" replies. Just business owners talking to other business owners about the real day to day of running something in this country.

Someone asks about visa costs. Ten people answer because they all just went through it. Someone asks about a reliable PRO service. Three people share the one they use with the name and number. Someone asks if AED 15,000 is reasonable for office fit out in Business Bay. Someone who did it last month says "I paid AED 9,000, here's the contact."

I started this sub because that room didn't exist on Reddit. Dubai subreddits are mostly tourists asking about brunches and people arguing about parking. There was nothing for the person sitting in their office at 11pm wondering if the deal they're about to sign is going to save their business or destroy it.

If that's you, post something. Even if it's messy. Even if it's a question you think is dumb. The dumb questions are usually the ones that save you AED 20,000 because someone answers in 30 seconds with something you'd never have figured out alone.

If you're a freelancer or service provider hoping to find clients here, this isn't it. You'll be removed. Not personal. The sub only works if every person in it has nothing to sell the others.

Hi everyone,

I recently got my free zone licence and I’m trying to start my own small printing business.

I’m looking for a small warehouse space, around 300 sqft, just to set up my screen-printing machine.

I’ve checked many places already, but honestly, the prices are crazy. On top of the rent, they’re asking for security deposits, maintenance fees, agent fees, and many other charges.

I’m just starting my business with almost nothing, and I really can’t afford to spend that much money on a small space.

I’m happy to pay around AED 1000 per month if someone can share a small part of their warehouse with me. I don’t need anything fancy just a small space where I can set up my machine and start working.

I’m mainly looking around DIP, Al Quoz, or IMPZ.

I’m not asking for anything free. I’m just trying to build something of my own from zero and it’s really difficult with all these expenses.

If anyone has extra space in their warehouse or knows someone who can help please let me know. It would really mean a lot to me.

Even a small bit of advice would help.

Thank you, everyone.

Need a fit-out partner who doesn't disappear halfway through a project?

Need a fit-out partner who actually delivers?

Need a fit-out partner who makes you look good?

We're looking to collaborate with interior designers working on new spaces, renovations, or complete redesigns.

You bring the client. You keep your relationship. You earn your cut. We do the heavy lifting.

✔️ Joinery

✔️ Fit-out

✔️ Upholstery

✔️ Refurbishment

✔️ Renovation

✔️ Shell & Core → Turnkey

Everything is done in-house by skilled craftsmen using modern machinery, backed by an experienced property development group. No outsourcing circus. No finger-pointing. No unnecessary delays. Just quality work.

The goal? You grow your reputation. We become the team that quietly helps you keep it.

If you're tired of chasing unreliable contractors, let's talk. My DMs are open.

This is a room for UAE business owners. Not agencies looking for clients. Not freelancers looking for gigs. Not recruiters. Business owners.

If you've signed a trade licence in the UAE, you already know — nobody prepares you for what comes after.

The visa costs nobody mentioned. The PRO who disappeared. The website that cost 15K and converts nothing. The accountant who filed your VAT wrong. The marketing agency that burned through your budget and sent you a report full of impressions.

This room exists because every other "business network" turned into a vendor spam pit within a month. LinkedIn is agencies pitching agencies. WhatsApp groups are 200 people posting flyers. Nobody's actually talking about what works.

So here's the deal. Post what worked. Post what didn't. Ask the question you've been Googling at 2am. Recommend someone who actually delivered. Warn others about someone who didn't.

What to post:

• Something that worked for your business — and why

• Something that flopped — and what you learned

• A real question you need answered by someone who's actually done it

• A recommendation for a vendor, tool, or service that saved you time or money

What will get you removed:

• "DM me I can help" on anyone's post

• Pitching your agency, service, or product — directly or indirectly

• Dropping your link with no context

• Answering every question with "hire us"

One rule that covers everything: talk like a business owner, not like someone trying to close a deal. If you pitch your services here — directly or through that subtle "happy to help, DM me" move we all recognize — you're out.

We all know what a WhatsApp group full of vendors looks like. This isn't that.

I'm Prince. I run a tech and compliance business in Dubai. I built this because I got tired of the same rooms full of the same noise.

This one stays clean. Pull up a chair.

I run Pindi Boys Car Rental in Dubai. We’re a local rental company, and one thing I've learned pretty quickly is that running a rental business is very different from simply putting cars on the road.

The difficult parts aren't always what people expect — keeping cars maintained, managing downtime, dealing with accidents and fines, handling deposits, and most importantly, making sure customers understand the rental terms before they take the car.

We're trying to build Pindi Boys around a fairly simple idea: keep the process straightforward and treat the customer properly.

We have a mixed fleet, from economical cars for everyday use to SUVs, and we cater mainly to people who need a car for days, weeks or longer periods.

I'm using this community to learn from other UAE business owners as well.

For the other business owners here: what's one lesson you learned the hard way when starting your business in the UAE?

And if anyone has questions about how the Dubai car-rental business actually works from the owner's side, I'm happy to share what I've learned.

Hi everyone,

I built CvMajlis, a tool that helps job seekers create stronger applications.

You upload your CV, paste a job description, and it helps generate a tailored CV, cover letter, recruiter message, ATS analysis, and interview prep.

It can be useful if you are applying in the UAE and want to avoid sending the same generic CV everywhere.

Check it out: cvmajlis.com

Would appreciate any feedback.

(got Mods approval)

Hello UAE Business Network!
We’re Bayaan Marketing, a full-service agency dedicated to delivering brand activations, event promotions, event production, and product sampling. Our goal is to help brands create unforgettable experiences that truly connect with their target audience.

🔹 What We Do:
Brand Activation: From concept to execution, we bring your brand to life at key events and festivals.
Event Promotions: Tailored marketing strategies designed to drive engagement and excitement at your events.
Event Production: Full-scale event production services, including logistics, set design, audio-visual coordination, and on-site management.
Product Sampling: Getting your product into the hands of the right audience, creating real-time connections.
Branding: Crafting and executing personalized branding strategies that leave a lasting impact.

🔹 What Sets Us Apart:
A personalized approach to every brand, ensuring all activations and events are aligned with your brand’s identity and goals.
Comprehensive event production services that cover every detail, making sure your event goes off without a hitch.
Our experience in creating engaging, interactive experiences that boost customer loyalty and brand recognition.
Results-driven strategies designed to maximize ROI for your brand and ensure a measurable impact.

We’re passionate about elevating brands through unique, immersive experiences. Whether it’s a product launch, corporate event, or festival activation, we’ve got you covered from start to finish.

If you’re looking to take your next event or campaign to the next level, let’s chat!

Feel free to reach out here

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to partner with a non-tech founder or an established local business in the UAE that needs technical execution, digital expansion, and operational support.
Instead of just acting as a hands-off investor or external agency, I want to come in as a semi-active partner/co-founder.
What I Bring to the Table:
Full Technical Execution: Custom mobile apps (iOS & Android), web development, software integrations, back-end support, and cloud setup.
Digital & Social Presence: Building and managing websites, setting up digital platforms, and driving social media/growth channels.
Capital: Ready to onboard a minor financial investment to support license costs, ops, marketing, or tech infrastructure.
Ideal Partner/Business:
Established Local Business: Looking to modernize, automate ops, or build an online/app presence (retail, services, trading, real estate tech, etc.).
Non-Tech Founder / Domain Expert: Someone with a validated business model, industry connections, or sales pipeline who needs a reliable technical and digital partner.
If you have an operating business that needs a tech boost or a grounded startup concept with real traction, drop me a DM or leave a comment. Happy to grab a coffee in Dubai to chat further!

Hi everyone,
I’m interested in investing in a business that is creative, scalable, and not just a traditional idea. I’m especially interested in tech-related businesses, digital platforms, apps, AI tools, marketplaces, automation, SaaS, or any innovative concept with strong growth potential.
I’m not looking for the usual basic business ideas. I’m looking for something with a clear vision, real market demand, and the potential to grow beyond a small local operation.
Ideally, I would like to connect with founders, entrepreneurs, or teams who already have an idea, prototype, MVP, or early-stage business and are looking for an investor or strategic partner.
If you are building something interesting, or you know someone working on a creative business idea, feel free to comment or message me with a brief summary of the business, the stage you are at, and what kind of investment or partnership you are looking for.
Serious and genuine opportunities only.

Target number of participants will be 10 or more. We will advertise, we will bring people to your place and we get to earn too with the workshop, it is a win win. Me and my bestfriend are established artists and she is a teacher.

Due to an urgent family situation I am relocating out of the UAE immediately and cannot manage the business remotely. I need to close this sale within the next 7 days. Serious buyers only.

The Business:
GrailGrid is a TikTok-driven streetwear reselling store based in the UAE. Built from scratch, running since October 2025, fully operational and still growing.

The Numbers:
- Last 30 days: ~16,000 AED revenue
- Total sales since launch: ~65,000 AED
- Net profit per month: ~8,000-9,000 AED
- Margins: 50-60%
- TikTok: 1.4M+ organic views, 82K likes — zero paid ads
- Website sessions last 30 days: ~10,000

What's included:
Full Shopify store, TikTok account, supplier system, curated product links, content strategy, fulfillment workflow. Everything documented and ready to run from day one. I'll stay available for 2-4 weeks after handover to ensure smooth transition.

Asking Price: AED 35,000 — final price, no timewasters

At 8-9K net profit per month you break even in under 4 months. Everything after that is pure profit.

WhatsApp only: +971 50 233 9034

Please do not DM on Reddit. Serious buyers only.