The short answer
National ICV measures a supplier’s contribution to the UAE economy within the procurement programme. Check the buyer’s requirements and prepare the company evidence before engaging a certifying body. It is not a universal condition for every UAE company to hold a trade licence.
When is ICV relevant to a business?
Start with the intended buyer or tender. Ask how certification and the score enter its procurement evaluation and whether there are specific submission conditions. A certificate does not guarantee an award, and absence should not be described as a universal fine for all businesses.
MoIAT’s current certification service identifies a valid business licence, audited financial statements and other company-specific documents as requirements. The service includes selecting a certifying audit firm and submitting information for certification. [1] Confirm the current process and evidence scope for the applicant.
How do you prepare the records?
Organise financial statements and supporting information on purchases, staff, investments and the entity’s operations as requested by the certifying body. Reconcile figures to the books and keep a clear evidence trail. Do not inflate local contribution by relabelling a supplier or treating all expenditure as qualifying by default.
Confirm which legal entity applies, how branches are treated and the certificate’s actual validity and renewal requirements. The older article’s universal branch-combination rule and fixed validity calculation have been removed because they were not established by the current service evidence.
How should the company assess the effort?
Compare the target procurement opportunities with the cost and work involved. Ask for the certifying body’s scope, fee and expected requests. Assign an internal coordinator and review the resulting certificate details before submitting to a buyer. Keep certification work distinct from general bookkeeping support and from the buyer’s contract-award decision.
A checklist to take into your next meeting
- Confirm the target buyer’s tender requirements.
- Identify the applicant legal entity.
- Prepare current licence and financial statements.
- Use an authorised certifying body.
- Check certificate details and renewal obligations.
Official sources
Source pages checked 10 October 2026. Numbered references in the guide correspond to the sources below.
Your next step
Choose the support that fits this decision. Each link takes you to the relevant service page.
This guide is practical preparation, with official sources where relevant. Company-specific requirements need an assessment of your circumstances. How these guides are prepared.
