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How to Start a Lifts, Escalators & Spare Parts Trading Business with Meydan Free Zone
The UAE is one of the world's most vertically ambitious built environments. The country has the highest concentration of supertall skyscrapers outside of China — with five supertall towers over 300 metres under construction simultaneously.
The UAE elevator and escalator market generated USD 1,145.6 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,576.5 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.5%.[1] New installations reached 16,153 units in 2024 and are projected to reach 19,137 units by 2030.[2] The installed base is expected to reach 124,000 units by 2030, each requiring ongoing maintenance, parts supply, and eventual modernisation. Major players including KONE, Otis, Mitsubishi Electric, Schindler, and Hyundai Elevator all maintain active UAE operations, and the country's Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan commits to continued urban densification that will sustain elevator and escalator demand for decades.
4773.b3 - Lifts, Escalators & Spare Parts Trading
Activity 4773.b3 covers the trading of lifts, escalators, and spare parts. This encompasses passenger elevators and freight lifts, escalators, moving walkways, platform lifts, dumbwaiters, and all associated spare parts including traction machines, safety components, door systems, control boards, guide rails, ropes, and maintenance parts for vertical transportation equipment.
Activity 4773.b3 covers lifts, escalators, and their spare parts. Installation and maintenance services are provided by separate service contractors.
Construction hoists and material lifts fall under activity 4773.63.
In short: if you are trading lifts, escalators, and associated spare parts, you are in. Lift installation and maintenance services are separate from this trading activity.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| NEW INSTALLATION | Lift & Escalator Equipment Traders Traders supplying elevator car assemblies, escalator components, drive systems, control panels, and lift equipment to building developers, MEP contractors, and specialist lift installation companies. |
| MRO & SPARE PARTS | Lift & Escalator Spare Parts Distributors Distributors supplying elevator spare parts, escalator components, safety devices, traction machines, ropes, and maintenance parts to the UAE's large installed base of over 100,000 elevator and escalator units. |
Activity Details
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Passenger elevator systems & componentsElevator car assemblies, door systems, traction machines, counterweights, and control systems for new passenger and freight elevator installations. | Safety components & devices Safety gears, buffers, overspeed governors, door sensors, interlocks, and safety-critical components for elevator and escalator compliance. |
| Escalator & moving walkway componentsEscalator step assemblies, handrail systems, drive units, combplates, and escalator and moving walkway structural components. | Spare parts & maintenance components Wire ropes, guide shoes, roller guides, lubricants, brushes, and routine maintenance parts for the UAE's large installed elevator base. |
| Lift control systems & electronics | Elevator control boards, drive frequency converters, landing buttons, display panels, and digital control components for lift modernisation. |
Third-Party Approval
This activity does not require third-party approval to obtain a business license from Meydan Free Zone.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ Grand View Research. (2025). UAE Elevators Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2030. grandviewresearch.com
- ² Arizton. (2025). UAE Elevator and Escalator Market Size & Growth Forecast 2025-2030. arizton.com
