Al dhafra: The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), a branch of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has launched an initiative aimed at updating economic licenses that have lapsed for three years or more. This move is designed to streamline the process for investors to update their expired licenses, helping them avoid penalties and continue operations within Abu Dhabi’s robust economy.
According to Emirates News Agency, this initiative stems from ADRA’s diligent market research and consultations with investors and stakeholders to identify the reasons behind license lapses and mitigate their negative impacts on businesses. It aligns with ADRA’s dedication to maintaining precise and transparent business data, which is crucial for enhancing Abu Dhabi’s competitive position and investment climate.
Under current Abu Dhabi regulations, licenses that aren’t renewed are placed in an expired registry, and those that remain expired for three years or more face potential revocation. ADRA is encouraging investors to take advantage of this grace period to renew or update their expired licenses. The first phase of the initiative targets licenses that expired before 2010, allowing eligible holders to renew or update their licenses by November 2025 without incurring late renewal penalties. A timeline for licenses expired after 2010 will be announced in the future.
Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Director-General of ADRA, emphasized ADRA’s commitment to maintaining open communication with the business community to understand their challenges and provide practical solutions in compliance with existing regulations. He noted that this initiative is a step towards enhancing the ease of doing business, allowing investors to regularize expired licenses and capitalize on the opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s dynamic economy.
Al Mansouri further added that by making this initiative available to licenses expired before 2010, ADRA is ensuring equitable access to support initiatives for all businesses. He urged eligible license holders to act within the announced timelines to resolve any outstanding regulatory issues.
The initiative is part of ADRA’s broader effort to maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date business data, improving access to it for informed decision-making. It underscores ADRA’s central role in business registration, regulatory oversight, and ensuring compliance with UAE Federal Government laws and regulations across Abu Dhabi’s mainland and economic non-financial free zones.