The maximum number of foreign investors in the first half of 2006 came from India, with 1,152 investors. Iranian investors claimed second place with 578 investors. The GCC countries came in third with a total of 364 investors. Saudi Arabia topped the list with 191 investors. British investors came in fourth place with 319 investors.

A total of 6,243 licences were issued in the commercial sector. Other sectors varied according to interests of businessmen. Around 1,780 licences were issued for the professional sector, 229 for the industry and 66 for Intelaq.

Ali Ebrahim, deputy director-general for Executive Affairs of DED, told Gulf News that the number of new licences issued alone, is not an indication of actual new business ventures in Dubai.

"Several factors including the macro-economic environment, the expected amendment of federal regulations and Dubai's competitive edge determine the growth of the business ventures," said Ebrahim.

The licences are divided into four categories including commercial, Professional, industrial, and intelaq (home based licenses for UAE nationals wishing to manage small individual businesses from home).

DED's division registers the licence according to the activity, type of entity, and the nationality of partners. According to the UAE regulations, every business should be fully registered by a UAE local or partner.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has more than 76,000 members. DCCI membership is compulsory of all licenced companies registered outside the free zones. Dubai's free zone hosts more than 8,000 companies, including 5,000 registered at the Jebel Ali Free Zone.