How would a foreigner find a local business partner?

agahi said:

Hello everybody.

I understand that a non-citizen of UAE needs a local partner to start a business there. How would somebody find such partner? Is there an establishment that introduces potential citizens who are willing to be partners?

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Hi,
Not required if you open a company in one of the numerous Freezones.
Cheers
Steve

Stevesolar said:

Hi,
Not required if you open a company in one of the numerous Freezones.
Cheers
Steve

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Thanks Steve

My intention is to run a restaurant or coffeeshop preferably franchise. I am assuming that free zones are more suitable for factories and offices and not for a small/medium food franchise like Subway. Am I wrong?

Most franchises are held by huge companie here, you can't just buy a McDs/Nandos/Subway franchise and set it up, the country franchise has already been taken.

agahi said:

Thanks Steve

My intention is to run a restaurant or coffeeshop preferably franchise. I am assuming that free zones are more suitable for factories and offices and not for a small/medium food franchise like Subway. Am I wrong?

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a. not all freezones are factory/industrial areas, many of them are bustling business districts with gleaming office towers, and a lot of f & b outlets.. and by a lot i mean a lot... dmcc/jlt probably has more subway stores than the rest of dubai combined...

b. yes there are "services" that introduce you to local sponsors for a fee... they advertise in all the local papers under "business opportunities" or such... have a look through... khaleej times or gulf news classifieds... i believe they are also online...