The Dubai Department of Economic Development and Tourism has unveiled impressive outcomes from its strategic partnership with Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, since the bank’s involvement in the Dubai Unified License initiative.
Emirates NBD was among the earliest banks to officially join the Dubai Unified License program, serving as a reliable and government-approved partner to expedite the registration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to provide exceptional banking services to the business community. The bank successfully reduced the time required to open accounts for these companies by 35% by gaining direct access to the commercial license database and investors from the Dubai Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Over the past two months alone, over 4,000 client records in the business sector were updated automatically, eliminating the need for any manual intervention from clients or employees.
Since the launch of the Dubai Unified License program, the bank has provided support to small and medium enterprises and investors.
Introduced in 2023, the Dubai Unified License offers a centralized digital identity for both existing and new economic entities operating in Dubai and its free zones. Its goal is to simplify business operations within the emirate. Furthermore, the license platform reduces redundancy, accelerates service delivery, and enhances compliance among government and private entities by compiling accurate and updated licensing data. It allows businesses to access their reliable data securely and immediately, facilitating their interactions with regulatory authorities, financial institutions, and service providers.
Ahmed Al-Falasi, Executive Director of the Dubai Department of Economic Development and Licensing, stated: “Our partnership with Emirates NBD reflects the effectiveness of the Dubai Unified License in enhancing business efficiency and the city’s ambitious efforts to establish a more attractive investment environment. The platform enables quicker account opening, real-time licensing processes, and access to available financial services, aligning with the D33 economic agenda aimed at building a leading, competitive digital economy. Guided by our leadership’s directives, we are committed to forging more partnerships that attract investments, foster innovation, and position the emirate as a global leader in trade and business.”
Marwan Hadi, Head of Personal Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, remarked: “Dubai continues to attract global companies and investors thanks to its resilient economy and continuous efforts to bolster strategic economic initiatives that create an ideal business environment. This is evidenced by the city’s ongoing achievements, with nominal GDP reaching AED 119.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 4% increase from the same period in 2024.”