Technology and telecoms
Data, cyber, and whether you are regulated at all.
Federal data protection, the information assurance framework, Dubai's own cyber standards, and a licensing perimeter that catches more software than founders expect.
What makes this sector hard
- Inheriting customers' outsourcing and cloud obligations
- Federal data protection alongside free-zone regimes
- Information assurance and Dubai cyber standards
- A payments perimeter wider than most founders assume
A software company selling into banks inherits its customers' outsourcing obligations. A platform touching payments may be inside the licensing perimeter without ever holding money.
The advisors work out which of those apply before the product ships, which is considerably cheaper than afterwards.
Where it applies
Where to start
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Entering the UAE market
Onshore or a financial free zone — and what each one costs you.
The UAE is not one jurisdiction. Choosing between the mainland and a financial free zone sets your licensing route, your courts, your data rules and your tax position for years.
Learn more Entering the UAE market -
Licensing and authorisation
What you need permission for, and from whom.
Regulated activity in the UAE is defined narrowly and enforced literally. The expensive mistakes are the ones where a firm thought it was outside the perimeter.
Learn more Licensing and authorisation -
Building a compliance programme
Policies that survive an inspection.
AML/CFT, sanctions, data protection and conduct — drafted against the instruments that actually apply to you, not a template from another market.
Learn more Building a compliance programme
Other sectors
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Najem AI produces analysis and drafts for internal use. It is not legal, tax, audit or investment advice and does not create a professional relationship.