The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, has unveiled a new guidebook to help family-owned enterprises in the emirate operate more effectively and plan for long-term success. The announcement was made during the launch of the Centre’s first Knowledge Series session at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters, bringing together key voices to explore the evolving landscape of family businesses.
A Practical Resource for Business Families
The newly launched publication, titled Family Businesses in the Emirate of Dubai: A Guidebook, offers a detailed reference to help business families manage modern challenges, adopt strong governance practices, and safeguard generational wealth. It has been developed as part of broader efforts to empower one of Dubai’s most influential economic segments.
“Family businesses are a cornerstone of Dubai’s economic evolution and will be instrumental in achieving the D33 Agenda,”
stated Sahia Ahmad, CEO of Regulatory Policy and Governance at DET.
“This guidebook is part of our broader strategy to enable long-term business resilience and economic diversification.”
Highlights from the Guidebook
Launched under the theme “Building a Lasting Legacy: The Future of Family Businesses in Dubai”, the guidebook includes practical insights across several critical domains. These focus areas are intended to support both daily operations and future planning:
- Frameworks for building customized corporate governance systems
- Tools for effective leadership succession and continuity
- Wealth planning and family office management options
- Legal procedures for registration as a family business
- Tax considerations and real estate asset structuring
- Technology integration and modernization pathways
- Conflict management mechanisms and dispute resolution strategies
- The importance of philanthropy and social responsibility
The event also featured expert panel discussions on the importance of legal clarity, innovation, and alignment with the UAE Family Business Law. Attendees explored how structured legal and administrative systems can contribute to the resilience of family-run enterprises in an increasingly complex business environment.
“Our goal is to equip family businesses with the governance and administrative tools needed for generational continuity,”
said Khalid AlJarwan, Vice President of Commercial and Corporate Services at Dubai Chambers.
“This guide sets the foundation for more resilient and agile family-owned businesses in Dubai.”
Established in May 2023, the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses operates under Dubai Chambers and serves as a key platform for policy development and education. Through this guidebook and other future initiatives, the Centre aims to elevate the capabilities of family-owned companies and align them with Dubai’s long-term economic goals.
The launch of this guide represents a significant move toward shaping a more secure and forward-thinking ecosystem for family enterprises—companies that remain vital to Dubai’s growth, job creation, and investment landscape. As part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which targets doubling the economy by 2033, the focus on family businesses is set to remain a strategic priority.
