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How to Start a Sweets and Candies Preparing Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
Code 5630.95 occupies a distinctive position within the beverage serving class: the preparation and serving of sweets and candies as the primary food product from a beverage-adjacent sweets and candy counter or parlour. In the UAE, this format spans the full spectrum from traditional Arabic sweet stalls preparing luqaimat and kunafa on-premises to artisan candy shops, specialist halva bars, premium chocolate counters, and confectionery parlours. The global confectionery market reached USD 912.34 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% to USD 1.15 trillion by 2029, according to The Business Research Company¹. The UAE’s multicultural population of 200-plus nationalities creates demand for confectionery traditions spanning Emirati, Arabic, South Asian, East Asian, and Western formats from a single consumer base.
The 2024 Dubai Chocolate viral trend, pistachio cream and kataifi shredded wheat, originated in Dubai and was adopted globally in 2025, demonstrating how traditional Arabic confectionery ingredients can generate international commercial momentum. Luqaimat, deep-fried dough balls in date syrup, is the UAE’s national sweet and is prepared live at market stalls, heritage festivals, and traditional sweet shops. Ramadan and Eid generate the highest seasonal demand for on-premises sweet preparation, with qatayef, maamoul, and kunafa prepared fresh and served to order. Code 5630.95 carries a Dubai Municipality post-licence food safety approval requirement as food preparation for immediate consumption falls within DM’s food safety framework.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Traditional Arabic and Emirati sweet parlour operators | Operators of traditional Arabic and Emirati sweet shops and stalls preparing and serving luqaimat, kunafa, baklava, maamoul, basbousa, and regional confectionery for immediate on-premises consumption, takeaway, and gifting. |
| Artisan candy and chocolate counter operators | Operators of artisan candy shops, premium chocolate counters, halva bars, and specialty confectionery parlours preparing and serving freshly made candies, chocolates, and artisan sweets for immediate consumption or gifting. |
| Cultural and festive sweet stall operators | Operators of traditional sweet stalls and live sweet preparation counters at markets, heritage festivals, Ramadan and Eid food events, and cultural occasions, preparing sweets fresh to order in the traditional manner. |
5630.95 - Sweets and Candies Preparing
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Traditional Arabic and Emirati sweets | Traditional Arabic and Emirati sweet preparation and serving operations On-premises preparation and serving of traditional Emirati and Arabic sweets including luqaimat, kunafa, baklava, maamoul, basbousa, and halawet el jibn for immediate consumption. |
| Artisan candies and premium confectionery | Artisan candy shop and premium confectionery counter operations On-premises preparation and serving of artisan candies, premium hand-made chocolates, halva, and specialty confections for immediate consumption or gifting. UAE context: 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 Company. |
| Mobile sweet stalls and festive sweet preparation | Mobile sweet stall and festive occasion sweet preparation operations On-premises preparation and live serving of traditional sweets at market stalls, heritage festival points, Ramadan iftar events, and cultural occasion counters. |
Code 5630.95 covers the on-premises preparation and serving of sweets and candies for immediate consumption from a specialist outlet. It expressly excludes the manufacture and retail sale of packaged confectionery for resale through supermarkets or groceries (ISIC divisions 10–11 and 47); patisserie and Western baked pastry operations (5629.94); and ice cream shop operations (5610.98). All operators must obtain DM food safety approval through FoodWatch before commencing service.
In short: if you prepare and serve sweets and candies for immediate on-premises consumption from a dedicated sweet preparing outlet, DM post-approval applies and you are in. If you manufacture packaged confectionery for retail resale, 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 DM FoodWatch, 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 / Research and Markets, 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/
