DUBAI: Dubai issued 18,013 e-Trader licenses between March 2017 and March 31, 2022, said a government report.

A statement issued by the government of Dubai said that the growth in the number of e-Trader license issuances reflects the emergence of e-commerce as an important economic activity in the emirate.

Of the total licenses issued, 13,671 are professional, while 4,342 are commercial licenses.

In the first quarter of 2022, Dubai issued 1,605 e-Trader licenses.

In Dubai, an e-Trader license allows freelancers and startups to conduct business activities online and across social networking accounts.

With an e-Trader license, the licensee cannot open a shop/store but can avail of three visas if the ownership is 100 percent Emirati and legal liability falls under the license holder.