Hatta

The town

Hatta Heritage Village dates back to the third century BC, according to the Dubai Media Office, with rebuilt stone houses, old wells, watchtowers and a majlis. Hatta Fort was built in 1896 as a residence and stronghold, with an 11-metre watchtower, and was restored in 1995.²

Visitors kayak on the lake behind Hatta Dam. The dam's outer wall carries a mosaic of 1.2 million pieces of natural marble over 2,200 square metres, showing Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.^1,2

The development plan

By December 2024, 41 of the 65 initiatives in the Hatta Master Development Plan had been completed. Projects then under way included a 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric plant with 1,500 MWh of storage, a 5.4 km cable car from Hatta Dam to Um Al Nesoor peak, a 53,000-square-metre beach development and 200 homes for Emirati citizens.¹

Retail and food outlets at the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls are offered free of charge to Emirati citizens. Hatta Winter, a programme of five festivals including the Hatta Honey Festival, is used to promote private businesses and entrepreneurs based in Hatta.¹

Setting up

Source: UAE Government Portal: Steps to start a business on the mainland; UAE Government Portal: National Economic Register, business licensing authorities; UAE Government Portal: Accessing services for mainland companies^3,4,5