Dubai Launches Next-Gen Digital Platform for Business & Government

Dubai has unveiled a major upgrade to its Invest in Dubai platform, introducing a new 360 Services feature that integrates essential government services into a single AI-powered digital interface. This development represents a significant step forward in the emirate’s digital transformation, aligning with directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create a unified digital platform that simplifies the entire business setup process.

The launch follows resolutions issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, endorsing principles to streamline the investor journey and initiating the Shared Digital Channels Initiative. This initiative is a cornerstone of Dubai’s strategy to build the world’s most efficient digital economy.

The newly introduced 360 Services feature brings together critical government services into one cohesive, AI-enhanced digital portal. This marks a transformative improvement for Dubai’s digital government offerings, optimizing the investor experience while supporting the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to boost economic productivity by 50 percent through digital solutions and innovation.

With this upgrade, the IID platform enables investors and businesses to handle the entire licensing process digitally, covering corporate structures, legal forms, and branch licenses, all while cutting down on paperwork and eliminating redundant steps. The 360 Services feature consolidates permits and approvals from several key government bodies into one streamlined interface, including the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Community Development Authority, and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. More agencies are expected to join, further enhancing the integration of government services.

His Excellency Ahmad Khalifa AlQaizi AlFalasi, CEO of the Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), commented, “Dubai is setting a new global benchmark for digital government services by enhancing the Invest in Dubai platform with 360 Services. This reflects our leadership’s vision to provide the world’s most seamless investor journey through strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. Launching 360 Services as part of the AI-powered IID platform underscores our commitment to transparency, efficiency, and innovation, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to strengthen Dubai’s status as a top global destination for business and tourism.”

The announcement comes as the IID platform continues to experience rapid growth. Since its introduction in 2021, the platform has become central to Dubai’s economic activity, attracting more than 500,000 unique users, processing 676,780 paid transactions, facilitating 1.3 million total transactions, and enabling the establishment of 280,916 new businesses. Business license issuance through IID has increased nearly six times, from 16,584 in 2021 to 95,543 in 2024, while transaction volumes grew from 31,383 to over 258,000 in the same period. These figures highlight the platform’s vital role in supporting Dubai’s business environment. Processing times for licenses and related services have been dramatically reduced, from 14 days in 2022 to just one day in 2025, contributing to an investor satisfaction rate of 99 percent in the first quarter of this year. With a current service adoption rate of 65 percent, the platform is projected to reach 75 percent by year-end, demonstrating both rapid trust and scalability.

Artificial intelligence is now deeply embedded in the IID platform, featuring an AI chatbot, AI-driven business name reservation, and automated permit approvals. These are supported by omni-channel assistance options, such as a video contact center, CRM integration, and a digital knowledge base, that provide secure, personalized support across multiple touchpoints, delivering the transparency and speed required by businesses of every size.

As part of the Shared Digital Channels Initiative, IID connects with public and private organizations to offer a unified digital window for licensing, registration, post-license support, ‘Instant Licence’ issuance for immediate business launches, and comprehensive information to guide investors in Dubai. By bringing regulatory processes together in one user-friendly digital gateway, the platform not only makes business setup easier but also promotes a cooperative ecosystem between government and private sectors, attracting entrepreneurs worldwide to Dubai’s dynamic business landscape.

DBLC will present the upgraded IID platform and 360 Services at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 within the Digital Dubai Authority Pavilion, Hall 17, Stand H17-B10. Live demonstrations will showcase AI-driven business name reservations, automated permit approvals, and omni-channel investor support, along with joint announcements from government partners. These sessions will illustrate how the platform’s innovations meet regulatory needs, build investor trust, and present Dubai as a leading model of business-friendly governance for international audiences, from small and medium enterprises to multinational corporations.

His Excellency Rashid Hassan Al Saadi, assistant undersecretary for the Labor Market Services Sector (acting) at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, stated, “The sustainable development of work packages in the country, including the ‘Invest in Dubai’ package, confirms the commitment and integration of all federal and local entities to launch proactive services that improve customer experience. This initiative operates within the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, promoting leadership in government services. It aligns with pioneering innovation to enhance and redefine services, establishing a new, customer-focused approach that responds to changing aspirations and priorities.”

His Excellency Al Saadi added, “The UAE’s leadership in government services and the success of its Zero Government Bureaucracy programme have reinforced its global reputation as the premier destination for living and investment. This has significantly increased investment and led to the creation of new companies, fostering an environment that provides an inspiring experience for investors and all customer segments.”

For his part, His Excellency Rashed Nathar Mohammed Rahmah, director of the Consular Services Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to strengthening integration among government entities, a key strategy that improves the efficiency of service systems and unifies efforts toward delivering a seamless and pioneering government experience.

He noted that the digital integration with the Invest in Dubai platform for commercial document attestation supports the objectives of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Program by simplifying consular procedures, reducing time, effort, and cost, and making it easier for investors to conduct business in Dubai and across the UAE.

He also mentioned that this initiative supports the national campaign “UAE: Startup Capital of the World,” which aims to strengthen the country’s position as a leading global hub for business establishment and investment attraction.

His Excellency Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, CEO of the Community Regulations and Services Sector at the Community Development Authority, stated, “The participation of the Community Development Authority in the Invest in Dubai platform reflects Dubai’s comprehensive vision for digital transformation, where technology is used to serve people and improve their quality of life. Digital transformation in Dubai is not just about technology; it is a human-centered journey that places individuals at the core of government experiences, offering a safe and conscious digital environment that encourages responsible interaction and supports individual wellbeing.”

Through this collaboration, the Authority reaffirms its commitment to integrating social and human considerations into Dubai’s digital ecosystem, ensuring technology remains a tool for welfare, stability, and happiness, positioning Dubai as a global example of harmony between innovation and social wellbeing.

His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Kankazar, executive director of the Air Transport and International Affairs Sector at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, stated, “The launch of the enhanced Invest in Dubai platform reflects Dubai’s forward-thinking leadership in accelerating digital transformation and improving the efficiency of government services, helping to reinforce the emirate’s status as a global hub for business and investment.”

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority plays an active role in enabling the digital ecosystem and issuing permits for aviation-related activities instantly under a unified digital framework. This helps facilitate investors’ journeys and enhances Dubai’s competitiveness and leadership across various sectors, with aviation at the forefront.

Kankazar further noted that this initiative is part of Dubai’s strategy to improve the business environment and streamline procedures that support growth and investment in the aviation sector, stressing the importance of ongoing digital development to maintain leadership and innovation in all fields.

Salwa Al Adidi, director of Data Management at DBLC, added, “The enhanced IID platform is more than a digital upgrade. It is a complete reimagining of how investors interact with the government. By integrating services from multiple authorities, embedding AI into core processes, and offering omni-channel support, we are making it simpler, faster, and more cost-effective to do business in Dubai. This is giving entrepreneurs, SMEs, startups, and global corporations alike the confidence to invest and expand in Dubai with absolute clarity.”

As part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s broader effort to build a competitive and transparent business ecosystem, these latest developments highlight Dubai’s steadfast commitment to digital excellence and set the stage for a fully digital economy, inviting global stakeholders, regulators, investors, and innovators, to join Dubai in shaping the future of business.

(Source: Economy Middle East)