Do I need any special licences to run a translation business?

No industry-specific licence is required. You need standard business registrations: a business entity, a GST or VAT number if your turnover crosses the threshold, and a current account in your company name. Corporate clients strongly prefer working with GST-registered vendors. As you grow and target larger international clients, quality certifications like ISO 17100 improve credibility significantly. They're not mandatory, but they signal professionalism.