Open an Abu Dhabi Company in Masdar City

Masdar City endeavours to make sure it delivers a timely, efficient and straightforward registration and licensing process. To that end, it has produced a transparent and streamlined procedure. However, to benefit fully from this, kindly examine this aid carefully and be thorough and precise when finishing forms and preparing all documentation.

In addition, we recommend that in advance of registering your new entity, you need to take the time to do the following:

• Consult a local attorney who can give you valuable information on your rights & obligations once you have registered an organization with us
• Contact a local bank that you pick to enquire about their requirements for opening a company account.

Our team can answer any inquiries and can help you review all the legal documentation and your registration form to ensure that you submit a successful application.

Areas of focus

Masdar City has been produced to provide a supportive atmosphere for six areas of concentration inside the renewable energy and sustainable technology areas (Research and Development, Light Industry, Finance, Retail, Business, Education).

Businesses and organisations seeking to set up in Masdar City should operate within one of the following areas:

• Renewable Energy
• Energy Production
• Energy Storage
• Energy Transmission and Distribution
• Energy Efficiency Equipments
• Air and Environment
• Water and Waste Water
• Recycling and Solid Waste
• Transportation
• Green Building
• Organic Products
• Non-Profit Organisation

• System Applications
• Network and Infrastructure
• IT Service

• Advertising and Communications
• Marketing Services
• Media Support Services
• Event Management
• Event Support Services
• Media Consultancy
• New Media
• Business Information
• Human Resources Development
• Training and Development
• Content Development

General

• Service Providers
• Consultancy
• Regional Headquarters

Types of Masdar City Operating Licences

Incorporation, which is essential for partner companies, is possible as one of three types of companies:

• A branch of a foreign company or UAE-based company (which includes companies incorporated in other UAE exclusive economic zones)
• A special economic zone limited liability company with corporate shareholders
• A special economic zone limited liability company with individual shareholders.

Registering a Branch Office in Masdar City

The registration procedure generally requires five working days to complete. The documents necessary for the registration of a branch office are listed

Step 1: Handover of Legal Documents the Business Development Associate handling your account will converse with you to guide you through the submission of legal documentation necessary for registering your branch office. Jointly you will review the documents against the checklist so as to ensure they are complete.

Step 2: Review of Legal Documents Your legal documentation will be reviewed by our Registration team so as to ensure that the necessary information pertaining to the parent company and the planned branch office are in order. This review process takes up to three working days.  It is at this point that your file is either accepted or returned for additional information.

Step 3: Issuance of Branch Office Licence & Lease Agreement Once   your legal file has been accepted by the Registration team, your Branch   office licence will be delivered within two working days. The Business   Development Associate handling your account will contact you to fix an   appointment to sign your lease and collect a duplicate of your licence.

Step 4: Collection of Licence With a copy of your licence you will be able to open up a corporate account with a local bank. Once the account is created you will need to issue post-dated cheques to cover the remainder of your first-year lease. Upon the receipt of your cheques Masdar City will release all legal documents.

Please note that at this stage in the process you will need to make a down payment towards:

• Leased Office premises (equal to 50% of the annual rent);
• Registration Fee (one-time fee);
• Annual Licence Fee (subject to the number of segments and activities listed on the licence)
• Rent Deposit (equivalent to two months’ rent)

Completing the following steps will ensure your application is expeditiously processed, although in certain instances, Masdar City may retain the right to ask for additional documentation / authentication as deemed necessary.