The Certificate of Non-Confusion is one of the key regulatory services provided by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI). Its primary purpose is to ensure the distinctiveness and uniqueness of a company’s trade name when applying for incorporation or amendment. The certificate verifies that the proposed name does not duplicate or closely resemble the name of any existing company registered in the commercial or investment registry. This certificate represents a critical step in the regulatory process prior to obtaining final approvals for the incorporation of legal entities or the amendment of their data. It serves as an essential safeguard for protecting companies’ rights to commercial distinction, preventing potential disputes, and avoiding legal confusion arising from name similarities between different entities. This service is part of GAFI’s ongoing efforts to improve the investment climate, ensure transparency, and provide a stable, well-regulated legal framework for both local and foreign investors.

The Certificate of Non-Confusion is issued for corporations — including joint stock companies, partnerships limited by shares, limited liability companies, and single-member companies — in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Names Law No. 55 of 1953, the Commercial Registry Law No. 34 of 1976, and Law No. 159 of 1981. Applicants may request the issuance of a Certificate of Non-Confusion either when incorporating a new company or when seeking to amend the name of an existing company, through GAFI’s online portal or by visiting the Investor Service Center. The certificate also functions as a reservation of the company name, preventing its use by another investor during its validity period, which does not exceed 15 days.