Laws Regulating The Practice Of
 Economic Activity In Abu Dhabi

Article (230 of Federal Law No. (18) Of 1993 concerning Commercial Dealings provided that:

1.It shall not be permissible for non-UAE nationals to run businesses unless upon joining a partner or partners holding the UAE nationality in accordance with the terms and within the limits specified in the Commercial Company Law.
 
With reference to the above said Federal Law No. (8) Of 1984 and the amending laws thereof, Article (22) provided as follows:
2.Observing that commercial activities are con- fined to nationals as provided in this law or in any other law, every company incorporated in the State must have one or more national partner whose share in the company capital must not be less than 51% of the company capital".
 
Article (5) of the said law:
3.Defined seven types of companies which are (General Partnership, Simple Limited Partnership, Joint Participation ' Venture" Public Joint Stock, Private Joint Stock, Limited Liability Company, Partnership Limited with shares). 
 
Article (314) of the UAE Commercial Company law:
4.Also granted foreign companies the right of establishing branches or offices in the country providing that such a branch or office must have a national services agent. If the agent is a company, it must be a national company in which all partners should be nationals. The agent's obligations towards the company should, however be confined to rendering necessary services to the company in respect of getting required licenses without sharing in the capital or management or bearing any losses or obligations. 
 
Article (92) of the UAE Civil Code: 
5.Defined legal entities in such a way that included all associations and enterprises incorporated according to the provisions of the law.

Trade License Law No. (9) Of 1996 and the amending laws thereof 
6.Also provided that except those exempted by the Ruler, it shall not be permissible for any person to practice any business activity unless upon acquiring the required license as it is determined.

Article (31) of Law No. (6) Of 1976 amended by law No. (1) of 1984 concerning Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry provided that those national or foreign individuals:
7.Companies or enterprises practicing business; industrial; financial or contracting activities within the Emirate, or those having branches or offices to practice permanent or temporary activity shall have to join the Chamber. It is understood from the sense of all these provisions that it is a must for any natural or legal person whether he is a national or foreign investor to acquire a license allowing him to practice requested economic activity.