Merger Control in the United Arab Emirates: What You Need to Know

With its strategic location, business-friendly environment, and openness to foreign investment, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a key market for companies looking to expand their operations in the Middle East. However, businesses considering mergers and acquisitions services in Dubai need to be aware of the country’s merger control legislation and approval requirements.

For companies pursuing M&A opportunities in the UAE, here are some tips:

• Assess at an early stage whether the 40% threshold will be exceeded to determine if notification is required.
• Engage advisors to evaluate if a substantive competition assessment may be warranted even below the thresholds.
• Be mindful of potential shareholding and foreign ownership restrictions in the relevant industry.
• Involve advisors to coordinate regulatory approvals and navigate discretionary powers of government authorities.
• Develop a timeline for the transaction that accounts for mandatory notification and approval periods.
• Be prepared for limited precedents and possible lack of clarity on merger control review processes.

With support from experienced advisors like IMC Group, companies can effectively navigate UAE’s merger control regime. IMC offers comprehensive due diligence services in Dubai to help investors evaluate opportunities, risks and approval requirements for successful M&A execution in the UAE.