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How to Start a Local Sweets Preparing Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
Luqaimat, small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, is widely regarded as the national sweet of the UAE. Kunafa, baklava, basbousa, maamoul, and halawet el jibn are among the most consumed Arabic and Emirati sweets across the seven emirates, prepared and served from specialist sweet shops, traditional cafes, market stalls, and heritage restaurants. Code 5629.96 covers the preparation of local and traditional sweets as a licensed food service activity. The global confectionery market reached USD 912.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.15 trillion by 2029 at a CAGR of 4.3%, according to The Business Research Company¹, with artisanal and culturally distinctive sweet formats among the fastest-growing sub-segments globally.
Arabic sweets are the centrepiece of Ramadan and Eid entertaining in the UAE: qatayef (stuffed pancakes) during Ramadan, maamoul (date and nut cookies) at Eid, luqaimat at heritage festivals, and kunafa as a year-round staple. The 2024 Dubai Chocolate viral trend, pistachio and kataifi, now globally replicated, demonstrated how traditional Arab confectionery ingredients (kataifi shredded wheat, pistachio cream) can generate international commercial momentum when presented in a new format. Named Dubai sweet shop operators include Logma (luqaimat specialist, Dubai Mall), Just Kunafa (Downtown Dubai), Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe (traditional Emirati sweets, Festival City Mall), and Firas Sweets. Code 5629.96 carries a Dubai Municipality post-licence food safety approval requirement.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Emirati and Arabic traditional sweet shop operators | Operators of specialist Emirati and Arabic traditional sweet shops preparing and serving luqaimat, kunafa, baklava, maamoul, basbousa, halawet el jibn, and other regional confections for immediate consumption, takeaway, and gifting. |
| Ramadan and seasonal sweet preparation operators | Operators specialising in seasonal sweet preparations for Ramadan and Eid, including qatayef (stuffed pancakes), kahk (Eid cookies), and other occasion-specific traditional confections, alongside year-round Arabic sweet production. |
| Modern and fusion local sweet concept operators | Operators of modern sweet concepts interpreting traditional local sweet ingredients, date syrup, kataifi, pistachio, saffron, rosewater, cardamom, in contemporary formats, including Dubai Chocolate-style fusions, camel milk desserts, and innovative takes on classic Arabic confections. |
5629.96 - Local Sweets Preparing
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Emirati and Arabic traditional sweets | Emirati and Arabic traditional sweet preparation operations Preparation and service of traditional Emirati and Arabic sweets including luqaimat (fried dough balls in date syrup), kunafa (cheese pastry with sugar syrup), baklava, maamoul (date and nut cookies), basbousa, and halawet el jibn from a specialist local sweets preparing outlet. |
| Ramadan and seasonal occasion sweets | Ramadan, Eid and seasonal traditional sweet preparation Preparation and service of Ramadan and Eid seasonal sweet confections including qatayef (stuffed pancakes), kahk (shortbread Eid cookies), zalabia (syrup-drenched fritters), and other occasion-specific traditional sweets with peak demand during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. |
| Modern and fusion local sweet concepts | Modern and fusion local sweet preparation operations Preparation and service of contemporary sweet concepts using traditional local sweet ingredients, date syrup, kataifi shredded wheat, pistachio, saffron, rosewater, and cardamom, reinterpreted in modern or fusion formats for a contemporary consumer market. |
Code 5629.96 covers the preparation and service of local and traditional sweets for immediate consumption, takeaway, and gifting from a specialist local sweets outlet. It does not cover the industrial manufacture and wholesale of packaged confectionery products for retail resale (ISIC division 10); the retail sale of pre-packaged sweets through supermarkets (ISIC 47); patisserie and Western pastry shop operations (5629.94); or ice cream shop operations (5610.98). It expressly excludes the manufacture and retail sale of perishable food items. DM FoodWatch registration and food safety approval must be obtained before commencing service.
In short: if you prepare and serve local Emirati and Arabic sweets for immediate consumption or gifting from a specialist outlet, DM post-approval applies and you are in. If you manufacture packaged confectionery for wholesale or retail sale, you are not under this code.
Third-Party Approval
This activity requires Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department approval after the Meydan Free Zone licence is issued but before operations commence; operators must register on the DM FoodWatch platform, submit a food safety plan, pass inspection, and obtain a food safety certificate before serving customers.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This activity is not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under UAE anti-money laundering legislation, and operators are not subject to AML registration or reporting obligations specific to this licence category.
References
- ¹ The Business Research Company, Bakery and Confectionery Global Market Report 2025 - https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5781417/bakery-and-confectionary-global-market-report
- ² Dubai’s Best, The Best Arabic Sweets in Dubai 2025 - https://www.dubaisbest.com/best-arabic-sweets-dubai/
- ³ HiDubai / Focus, The Ultimate Guide to the Yummiest Arabic Sweets in Dubai - https://focus.hidubai.com/famous-arabic-sweets-in-dubai/
- ⁴ Grand Bake, Top 10 Traditional Arabic Sweets in Dubai: Order Online - https://www.grandbake.com/blogs/updates/traditional-arabic-sweets-in-dubai
- ⁵ MyBayut, Popular Arabic Sweets and Desserts: Kunafa, Baklawa and More - https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/popular-arabic-sweets-desserts/
