List of free-trade zones in Dubai explained

Free-trade zones in Dubai, (FTZs) are special economic zones set up with the objective of offering tax concessions and customs duty benefits to expatriate investors. There are 26 Free Zones operating in Dubai. FTZs in Dubai and the UAE are governed pursuant to a special framework of rules and regulations. A Free Zone Authority offers business licenses to foreign-owned businesses. Each Free Zone is designed around one or more industry categories and only offers licenses (e.g. for a Free Zone Enterprise (FZE)), to companies within those categories. Most of the free zones in Dubai broadly offer trading, services, and industrial licenses to investors looking to set up their businesses.

Background

Free zones in Dubai are managed and operated by the relevant authority. For instance, the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority in Dubai is responsible for managing, operating and supervising the Jebel Ali Free Zone, one of the largest seaport free zones in Dubai. It has a subsidized rate of 32 percent on the country's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). As for other Free Zones in Dubai, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has 7,330 active registered companies (as per 2013), offers a retention rate of 94 percent, and estimates an application of over 200 companies every year.^[1] the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is another jurisdiction demonstrating the growth of expansion. It contributes 12 percent to the GDP of Dubai and has an estimated a growth rate of 27 percent (as per 2015).^[2] The authorities speculate that the region will triple in size by 2024.^[3] Others include the Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA; the Dubai internet City; and the Dubai Media city.^[4] In April 2021 Dubai CommerCity launched, a free zone dedicated to e-Commerce.^[5] The International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) is one of the most cost-effective and fastest-growing free trade zone in Dubai.^[6] This freezone was founded in Fujairah Emirate and has moved to Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), Dubai.^[7] Meydan Free Zone^[8] is the one of the most thriving commercial free zones in the UAE and offers over 1500 activities under their various activity groups. Out of all Free Zones, Meydan Free Zone is the one of the most thriving commercial free zones in the UAE and offers over 1500 activities under their various activity groups.

List

There are more than 20 Free Zones operating in Dubai, which include the following:

• Dubai Airport Free Zone^[9]
• Dubai Design District^[10]
• Dubai Healthcare City^[11]
• Dubai International Academic City^[12]
• Dubai Internet City^[13]
• Dubai International Financial Centre^[14]
• Dubai Knowledge Park^[15]
• Dubai Maritime City^[16]
• Dubai Media City^[17]
• Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)^[18]
• Dubai Production City^[19]
• Dubai Science Park^[20]
• Dubai Silicon Oasis^[21]
• Dubai World Central (Dubai South)^[22]
• Dubai World Trade Centre^[23]
• International Humanitarian City^[24]
• Jebel Ali Free Zone
• Meydan Free zone

See also

• List of Free Trade Zones in UAE
• List of company registers
• List of offshore financial centres
• List of financial districts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sambidge. Andy. Dubai's DMCC becomes UAE's largest free zone. 21 September 2013. Arabian Business.
2. Web site: Deulgaonkar. Parag. 12% of Dubai GDP from DIFC. 4 February 2014 . Emirates 247.
3. Web site: Dubai International Financial Centre Set to Triple in Size by 2024, as Part of Centre's Newly Announced 2024 Strategy. 10 June 2015. Dubai International Financial Centre.
4. Web site: 18 April 2019 . Dubai Free Zone Development and Bids to Attract Foreign Investors . Business Link UAE . 18 April 2019.
5. News: Nagraj. Aarti. April 19, 2021. E-commerce freezone Dubai CommerCity opens new facilities as part of first phase launch. Gulf Business.
6. Web site: November 1, 2022 . IFZA - The cheapest Freezone in Dubai . Firmz Business Setup.
7. Web site: 2 May 2019 . IFZA Free Zone . aurionuae.
8. Web site: 2024-01-23 . Meydan free zone company setup - Meydan free zone license cost . 2024-03-15 . firmz.ae . en-US.
9. Web site: Dubai Airport Freezone | Business Setup In Dubai | Leading Freezone In UAE | DAFZ. Free Zones in Dubai, Dubai Airport Freezone, UAE Tax Free Zone | DAFZ. 30 December 2023.
10. Web site: Design, Art & Fashion Hub in Dubai. Dubai Design District. 30 December 2023.
11. Web site: Dubai Healthcare City Authority - Regulation. Dubai Healthcare. Regulatory. www.dhcc.ae. 30 December 2023.
12. Web site: Education Hub in MENA. Dubai International Academic City. 30 December 2023.
13. Web site: Innovation & Technology Hub in Dubai. Dubai Internet City. 30 December 2023.
14. Web site: DIFC | Leading Financial Hub in the MEASA Region. www.difc.ae. 30 December 2023.
15. Web site: Human Resources Hub in Dubai. Dubai Knowledge Park. 30 December 2023.
16. Web site: Home. Dubai Maritime City. 30 December 2023.
17. Web site: Media Hub | Freezone Company Setup. Dubai Media City. 30 December 2023.
18. Web site: World's premier business destination | DMCC. dmcc.ae. 30 December 2023.
19. Web site: Leading Media Production Zone. Dubai Production City. 30 December 2023.
20. Web site: Biotechnology, Research, Life Sciences. Dubai Science Park. 30 December 2023.
21. Web site: DSO. DSO. 30 December 2023.
22. Web site: Dubai South is Dubai’s largest single urban master development focusing on Logistics, Commercial, Residential, and Aviation. rgscpcw-440990-cd.azurewebsites.net. 30 December 2023.
23. Web site: Home. 9 February 2021.
24. Web site: International Humanitarian City. 30 December 2023.