Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their economic advisory business. There is no requirement to partner with a UAE national sponsor, giving you complete control from day one.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed through Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income, making it a cost-efficient base for financial advisory operations. Combined with full profit repatriation, your earnings can move freely across borders.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
Unlike many financial service activities, economic advisory under code 6619.15 does not require third-party regulatory pre-approval before you begin operations. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to start serving clients.
Clear Regulatory Framework From Day One
The activity operates under oversight from the Securities and Commodities Authority and the Central Bank of the UAE, providing a well-defined compliance structure. This clarity reduces setup uncertainty and supports credibility with institutional and corporate clients.
Strategic Timing Under Dubai's D33 Agenda
The UAE has explicitly identified capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031. This government backing creates sustained demand and a supportive environment for licensed economic advisory businesses.
Fully Digital Licensing Process Saves Time
Meydan Free Zone offers a completely digital licensing process, removing the need for lengthy in-person procedures. This makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective routes into the Dubai financial services market for international firms.
Know Exactly What This Licence Covers
The economic advisory activity code covers core advisory services, regulated delivery, client onboarding, and regional market reach across Dubai and the wider UAE. Activities such as insurance broking or fund management fall under separate codes, so scope is clearly defined from the start.
How to Start a Economic Advisory Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed economic advisory business serves the UAE's financial-auxiliary and capital-markets services market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed economic advisory businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from SCA and Central Bank of the UAE oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of capital-markets infrastructure, cross-border flows, and a growing fund sector is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned capital markets and financial services as strategic pillars under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for auxiliary activities.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Financial-auxiliary service providers | Businesses providing brokerage, advisory, custody, administration, or related services to financial-market participants. |
| Capital-markets and fund operators | Teams running or supporting securities, commodities, derivatives, fund, or wealth-management activities. |
| International financial firms entering MENA | Global financial groups establishing a Dubai entity for regional brokerage, advisory, and auxiliary services. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai financial services market.
6619.15 - Economic Advisory
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed economic advisory business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Economic Advisory core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as activities of insurance agents and brokers; management of funds fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed economic advisory business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
