The UAE is home to around 45 Free Zones that facilitate diverse business operations across a range of industries. These Zones have played a stellar role in the UAE’s economic growth story, attracting global investments, and boosting international business.

Setting up a Free Zone business has many advantages

  • Simple and quick set up
  • 100% foreign ownership permitted
  • 100% repatriation of capital and profit permitted
  • No corporate or income tax
  • No import and export tax

Key Free Zones in the UAE Dubai

Dubai has over twenty Free Zones including some of the most prestigious in the country.

JAFZA (Jebal Ali Free Zone)

JAFZA is the largest Free Zone in the Middle East. Established in 1985, it houses over 8,000 companies, including a hundred Fortune 500 companies. JAFZA focuses on manufacturing and trading companies.

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodity Centre)

Located in the heart of Dubai, DMCC has crowned Global Free Zone as many as six times by The Financial Times fDi magazine. DMCC has over 13,000 companies, including many gold refineries.

DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority)

Established in 1996, JAFZA is one of the leading airport Free Zones in the world. DAFZA houses many international companies and benefits from the direct access to DXB, the busiest airport in the world.

Other emirates

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)

One of the largest and fastest growing, SAIF Zone is also the oldest airport Free Zone in the region. It was established in 1995. SAIF Zone is home to over 10,000 companies and is known for its world class warehouse facilities.

Shams (Sharjah Media City)

Sharjah Media City is a relatively new media Free Zone in the UAE. SHAMS is a cost-effective solution especially for E-commerce. SHAMS also issues Freelance licenses to support professionals.

Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ)

Hamriyah Free Zone was established in 1995 and is home to over 6000 companies. HFZ is a popular jurisdiction for oil-related and manufacturing companies.

KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone)

Located near Khalifa Port – one of the world’s most advanced deep sea ports with world-class infrastructure – KIZAD enables multimodal connectivity via sea, air, road and rail networks. With trade, logistics and manufacturing at its core, KIZAD is considered an integrated trade, logistics and industrial hub of the region.

RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

Situated in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ is considered the industrial hub of the region. RAKEZ caters to a wide range of customers from start ups and freelancers to SMEs and industrialists. RAKEZ is home to over 14000 companies across 50 industries.

IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)

IFZA is a new Free Zone which recently relocated the jurisdiction to Dubai. IFZA offers competitive packages with effective incorporation solutions that support start ups in Dubai.