United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi Relaxes Branch Setup Requirements

Companies registered in other UAE emirates and their free zones can now establish branches in Abu Dhabi mainland without requiring a physical office for the first year. The new branch registration process applies to 1,200 economic activities across multiple sectors (including management, marketing, and information technology, among others). It is facilitated through the TAMM digital platform (a government services platform), which allows for digital branch setup submissions, approvals, and payments. This new policy seeks to lower initial setup costs and encourage investment across multiple sectors.