Our world has become smaller thanks to technology. With just a click of a mouse, we can sell or buy anything we want anywhere in the world and have it delivered within minutes, hours, days or at its worse, weeks. That’s how fast buying and selling has been transformed in today’s digital world.

But more importantly, the digital world is giving all of us with entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to realize our dream business at our own pace and time, within the comforts of our own home, at different time zones, via various global online platforms or even through our own store in the cloud.

With minimal capital but lots of creativity and love, you’re on your way to success. Sounds easy? Yes, it is. All you have to do is make noise about your products and services and assert how they are different from the rest. Value for money, if you will.

The great thing about online selling is the world is within your reach. Talk about Amazon’s huge success if you will.

In the United Arab Emirates, this opportunity becomes even more easier with the launch of eTrade license across all emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain—under the directives of the Department of Economic Development.

So what’s the scope of an eTrade license in the UAE? It covers any products and services sold online, specifically through social media or a personal website.

Say for example you’re a stay-at-home mom and you would like to sell handmade products like soap bars, shampoos or processed food, or perhaps, offer your service as a make-up artist or photographer, among others, you would need an eTrade license to legally do that in the UAE.

Suppose you have a regular job but you would like to sell souvenir items or other products online, you would also need an eTrade license from the DED of the emirate where you are doing business to be able to do that legally.

Bottom-line is that the eTrade license is ideal for home-based businesses because you’re not required to have a physical office space or warehouse.

In Dubai, the eTrade license is available for UAE and GCC nationals as well as expats from certain countries. The eTrade license can be registered under the name of a single owner only. The eTrader cannot open a shop or issue visas and in case of a legal dispute, the licensee alone will be held responsible.

There are, however, dedicated free zones in Dubai supporting eCommerce market in the region such as Dubai CommerCity (DCC) which helps businesses to set-up their online business easily with access to onsite ecosystem service providers such as payment gateways, marketing services agencies, call centres, web developers and others.

With Dubai hosting this year’s biggest global event in the post-pandemic era, Expo 2020 Dubai, an eTrade license offers possibilities and opportunities for the entrepreneurs in us.

It all boils down to creativity and the right formula to provide products and services to the millions of tourists expected to participate in the six-month event that will kick-off on 01 October 2021.

How? Well, with your eTrade license, you have the legal right to promote your products and services through various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc., your personal website or even on online platform sellers like Amazon.ae or noon.com.  You also have the legal rights to participate and reach out to customers at exhibitions and conferences promoting products and services that you're legally allowed to offer

The key to making your online business venture a success, however, hinges greatly on how reliable your internet service provider is. Remember, you're building a brand online, your portfolio, your customer base and relations, your business reputation and so on. All of that rely on great connectivity and related products.

That's when you should consider having Etisalat as your preferred business telecom partner. It's fast, reliable and 5G ready. It has its own competitive advantages to help you succeed digitally. Just saying.

Keep in mind that an eTrade license gives you all the legal advantages to promote your products and services and helps you grow as an entrepreneur. Honesty is always the best policy as they say.