The business activities in Dubai are on the growth track, the Department of Economic Development said on Sunday, announcing four per cent increase in the number of commercial licences which registered at 4.582 licences. In comparison with last year, the number of business licences issued in Dubai increased from the first quarter of 2012 to 4,582 licences in the same period in 2013 and across all business sectors including professional, commercial, travel and tourism. Mohammad Shael Al Sa'adi, chief executive officer of the DED's Business Registration and Licensing Sector, told Gulf News that DED is joining all efforts towards easing the procedures of issuing business licences in Dubai. "Easing licensing issuance is part of our strategic goals to enhance Dubai's capabilities in facilitating economic activity and growth. " While the total number of commercial activities has reported at 11, 461 licences in the first quarter of 2013, general trade was leading the list of the top 10 licensed activities by 619 licences followed by dyes and paints at 301 licenses. In the tourism sector, Inbound tourism was the leader with 39 licences, followed by Travel and tourism agencies, according to DED. Translating this growth, Saeed Matar Al Marri, Deputy CEO of Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in DED, said: "Confidence in Dubai is on an upswing with the emirate emphasising on overall competitiveness and sustained investment in infrastructure.” While existing businesses in Dubai are venturing further out and spreading their wings, a growing number of investors are also sensing the ideal conditions to step forward, he added. From Gulf News