Abu Dhabi to issue licences to food trucks

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has announced it will give licences to food trucks, subject to an existing restaurant or foodstuff catering licence.

The department also said in a statement that the business will have to be either 100% owned by Emiratis or with an Emirati partner, and there will be mandate specifications on truck design.

A number of other regulations must be complied with, such as not producing noise or loud music, and not operating on public roads.

“The ADDED’s Directorate of Commercial Protection will be mandated to decide on the locations where vehicles or trucks can practise this activity, and to stop such a permit if it detects any violation by the licensee,” the statement said.

Business owners can apply at any of ADDED’s branches, which will then send the applications to ADDED’s headquarters for initial approval while applicants complete the rest of the requirements.

If applications are approved, they will then be referred to the Permits and Advertisements Section, which has the to power to give a permit pending approvals it will seek from external bodies.

ADDED Directorate of Commercial Protection acting director Ahmad Al Qubaisi said the department is developing software that covers all the procedures for issuing a permit for mobile restaurant activity, as part of the e-services package provided to clients.