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In a move that has significant implications for businesses operating within UAE’s free zones, the implementation of the Corporate Tax Law through Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 issued on 1st June 2023 has ushered in a new era of taxation. This landmark legislation follows the global commitments that UAE has made to ensure tax transparency and enhanced regulatory oversight. Adhering to global standards enhances UAE’s reputation as a responsible global financial hub

The United Kingdom has long promised to be the best country in the world to do business, and I am proud to say we are delivering on that. Recent months have seen our economy receive two significant votes of confidence: a landmark Free Trade Agreement with India—the fastest growing economy in the G20 — and becoming the first country to secure an economic deal with the Trump administration. These achievements underscore the UK’s position as the most open, stable, and connected economy in the world. But what truly sets us apart is our approach to growth — one that we are building not just for you, but with you.  

My initial appointment to the United Arab Emirates, as Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates in 2012, afforded me a profound appreciation of the intertwined historical relationship between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. It is a rare privilege in diplomatic service to return to a nation in a more senior capacity, and I am honoured to now serve as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE.   

Today’s UK and UAE relationship reaches back more than two hundred years. Those original agreements to secure vital trade routes have flourished into a thriving partnership which is about far more than the exchange of goods and services.    

The ever growing, British community in the UAE is proud of its contribution to the UAE’s story, and personal and cultural ties are critical to this across numerous sectors, nowhere more so than in the field of financial services.  

Valuing a Tech Company in the Middle East

Imagine you have built a successful tech company in the Middle East, offering technology solutions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Years of hard work have paid off, and now a big client, a multinational corporation, wants to buy your business.

But how do you decide the value of what you have achieved? This is the dilemma for the owners of this private tech company as they plan to sell the business they have built from scratch.

The Valuation Challenge

Valuing a private company in an emerging market is not easy. Without stock prices or market consensus, it’s a mix of growth potential, regional factors, and market competition. To navigate this dilemma, the owners enlisted KMEC, a trusted advisor for advisory services, to guide them through two contrasting valuation methods: the forward-looking Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) approach, which looks at the company’s future cash potential, and the EBITDA multiple method, which builds on current earnings strength.

With these valuations, the owners must negotiate with a savvy multinational buyer aiming to enhance its capabilities. Should they go with the optimistic DCF, the realistic EBITDA, or a mix of both? The multinational will examine every detail, but the tech company’s strategic advantage might influence the final price.

This case study explores valuation and negotiation in an emerging market, where ambition meets opportunity, and every decision impacts the outcome—a story of strategy, risk, and seeking fair value in a fast-changing tech world

Background

The technology company provided enterprise solutions focused on emerging sectors in the region. It had established a solid presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, benefiting from the region’s increasing demand for technology solutions. The firm served a diverse client base, including several large multinational companies.

One of these clients, a multinational corporation, had been a significant customer for years. Impressed by the technology company’s solutions and regional expertise, the multinational expressed interest in acquiring it to expand and build its own in-house capabilities. The owners considered this as a good opportunity to exit the business. However, they needed to establish a fair valuation of the business for negotiations.

The Challenge

Valuing a privately held technology company operating in an emerging market is complex. Unlike public companies with market-driven stock prices, these firms lack a clear benchmark. The valuation had to also take into account the organization’s growth potential in a region undergoing digital transformation, while also factoring the risks of a competitive and fast-changing industry.

To address this, the owners approached KMEC, a business consulting firm specializing in business valuations for companies in the Middle East. The firm was engaged to provide a range of valuations to support the owners in the negotiations it could have with the potential buyer.

Picture this: You are sitting at your desk, sipping your morning coffee, when an urgent email notification pops up in your inbox. Your customer’s data is on sale, along with sensitive contracts and financial records. Customer information is exposed, and regulators step in asking accountability, while the cost of fixing this mess is increasing by the minute. This is the kind of scenario that keeps CFOs up at night-and in today’s world, it’s not just an impossibility. It happens more often than expected, and is a real threat that can materialize anytime.

As a CFO, you are no stranger to handling risk. But cybersecurity? That often feels like a different ballgame-technical, complex, and frankly, a bit overwhleming. You are not alone. Many CFOs struggle to wrap their heads around the digital risks tied to technology, not knowing whether they are meeting regulatory demands, adequately protecting customer data, or ensuring that their suppliers and operations are secure. The stakes are high: one misstep can lead to fines, loss of trust, and inflating costs.

But here is the good news: cybersecurity does not have to be a black box. In fact, it can be one of your most powerful tools for driving efficiency, cutting costs, and gaining a competitive edge as a business. This article will walk you through the common challenges, look at some myths, and give you a clear, actionable plan to make cybersecurity work for you-not against you.

In a landmark reform aimed at enhancing the business ecosystem and reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global investment hub, Dubai Executive Council has passed a resolution permitting Free Zone companies to do business in the Dubai mainland. This change has the potential to open new markets, bring in new business synergies and facilitate more foreign direct investment into the Emirate.

Let us do a deep dive into what the new resolution entails and how it could benefit businesses.

The Resolution No. (11) of 2025: A definite Step Forward

Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 permitting Dubai Free Zone entities to expand their business activities to mainland Dubai through the issuance of onshore licenses and activity permits.

The companies registered in Free Zones were restricted from engaging in commercial activities in the mainland which many considered to be regulatory and financial divide that restrained businesses in an increasingly interconnected environment.

The new resolution aims to bridge that gap. Free Zone companies can now engage with the mainland market directly, subject to compliance with Dubai’s regulatory framework, licensing requirements, and sector-specific approvals. This initiative complements with D33 Agenda – the economic vision of Dubai which aims to double the size of economy, which will position Dubai as one of the three global cities for business and innovation.

The Mechanism

Free Zone entities who are looking to take advantage of the new resolution which will be integrating Free Zones and Mainland, may apply for one of the three new types of licenses/permits: