Business ownership can seem like a pipedream for many people, especially one in a foreign land with different rules and regulations. However, taking the plunge can be much easier than many people anticipate, especially with a bit of research and some basic assistance.
The United Arab Emirates can offer the ideal conditions to build a thriving business, with well-established infrastructure that is streamlined to help you maximize results and achieve the kind of success that may have seemed elusive up until now.
The country has dozens of free zones that offer a multitude of different advantages, depending on the nature of your business and what you are hoping to achieve. Generally speaking, free zones offer a much more straightforward business registration and startup process, meaning the pathway to becoming operational – and, therefore, profitable – is much shorter.
Care must be taken to select the free zone that is right for you but, in consultation with the right partners, your goal of business ownership is just a few steps from being realised.
What UAE Free Zone Can Offer You:
- 100 per cent foreign national ownership (unlike the local sponsorship requirement on the mainland)
- Possibility to repatriate 100 per cent of capital
- Full suite of support services are offered by most free zones, including legal, resource, immigration, logistical and housing support
- Fast and efficient business registration
- Recruitment is much faster and more cost-effective in the free zone structure
Dubai
Dubai is almost synonymous with the UAE and business, and it has more than 20 free zones suited to particular business sectors:
- Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Dubai Auto Zone
- Dubai Cars and Automotive Zone
- Dubai Design District
- Dubai Flower Centre
- Dubai Gold and Diamond Park
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Dubai Industrial City
- Dubai International Academic City
- Dubai International Financial Centre
- Dubai Internet City
- Dubai Knowledge Park
- Dubai Logistics City
- Dubai Maritime City Authority
- Dubai Media City
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
- Dubai National Industries Complex
- Dubai Outsource Zone
- Dubai Science Park
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Dubai Studio City
- Dubai Textile City
- Energy and Environment Park
- International Humanitarian City
- Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers Free Zone
- Dubai Production City
Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s capital is home to a growing number of free zones:
- Abu Dhabi Airport Business City
- Abu Dhabi Global Market
- Abu Dhabi Ports Company
- Higher corporation for specialized economic zones/ Zones Corp
- Industrial City of Abu Dhabi
- Masdar City
- TwoFour54
Sharjah
- Hamriya Free Zone Authority
- Sharjah Airport Free Zone Authority
- USA Regional Trade Center Free Zone
Fujairah
- Creative City Fujairah
- Fujairah Free Zone Authority
- International Free Zone Authority (IFZA)
Ras Al Khaimah
- RAK Investment Authority Free Zone
- RAK Maritime City
- Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone
- Ras Al Khaimah Media Free Zone
Ajman
- Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA)
Umm Al Quwain
- UAQ Free Trade Zone