Every newspaper in a hotel lobby, every catalogue in a luxury mall, every stamp on a government document, it all passes through the press. Despite the digital shift, physical print remains embedded in how businesses operate across the UAE. IMARC Group¹ values the UAE advertising market at USD 3.38 billion in 2024, projected to hit USD 5.74 billion by 2033. Statista² forecasts total UAE ad spending to reach USD 2.16 billion by 2030.
Who is this for?
From a hotel welcome pack to a government-issued cheque book, from an exhibition catalogue to a postage stamp, this activity covers the printed materials that institutions and businesses depend on daily.
1811.01 — Printing Of Newspapers, Magazines And Other Periodicals, Books And Brochures, Music And Music Manuscripts, Maps, Atlases, Posters, Advertising Catalogues, Prospectuses And Other Printed Advertising, Postage Stamps, Taxation Stamps, Documents Of Title, Cheques And Other Security Papers
Under this activity, you are in the business of printing published, promotional, and security materials; the traditional core of the printing industry.
This covers the printing of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books and brochures, music and music manuscripts, maps and atlases, posters, advertising catalogues, prospectuses and other printed advertising, postage stamps, taxation stamps, documents of title, cheques and other security papers, as well as diaries, calendars, business forms, and personal stationery.
Printing can be done by letterpress, offset, photogravure, flexographic, or other presses, as well as duplication machines, computer printers, and embossers, including quick printing. The material printed is typically copyrighted.
But remember, this activity does not cover silk-screen printing on textiles and wearing apparel, manufacture of paper articles such as binders and folders, publishing of printed matter, or photocopying of documents.
In practice: if you're printing the newspaper but not publishing it, producing the catalogue but not the brand behind it, or pressing the stamps but not issuing them, you're in scope.
Third-Party Approval:
Third-party approval is required from the UAE Media Council (UAEMC) before your trade license is issued.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:
Reference
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
¹ IMARC Group — UAE Advertising Market Size & Forecast 2033 — https://www.imarcgroup.com/uae-advertising-market
² Statista — Total Ad Spending in the UAE 2019–2030 — https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1451022/uae-total-ad-spending
³ Gulf News — Dubai Tourism Hits Record as 19.59M International Visitors Arrive in 2025 — https://gulfnews.com/business/tourism/dubai-tourism-hits-record-as-1959m-international-visitors-arrive-in-2025-1.500437381
⁴ PwC Middle East Media Outlook (via Digital Space Dive) — https://digitalspacedive.com/outdoor-advertising-uae-dubai-trends/
