MIK Legal Consulting

DUBAI & UAE FREE ZONE GUIDE

The Free Trade Zones have been set up with the specific purpose of facilitating investment. The procedures for investing in the zones are relatively simple.
The companies operating in the Free Zones are treated as being offshore, or outside the UAE for legal purposes.

The free zones are suitable for companies intending to use UAE as a regional manufacturing or distribution base, with the bulk of their business outside the UAE.
The incentives for Free Zone Businesses are;

• 100% foreign ownership;
• Exemption from all import duties;
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits;
• Freedom from corporate taxation for 50 year;
• Inexpensive energy;
• Efficient recruitment procedures ensuring the availability of a skilled and experienced workforce;
• A high level of administrative support.

Companies approved for operation in Free Trade Zones can apply for one of the following types of licenses: Trading, Industrial, Service and National Industrial

These licenses are renewable annually.

Trading licenses are granted to locally incorporated companies, and to companies incorporated outside the UAE. Trading licenses are also issued to Free Zone Establishments (FZE) and Free Zone Companies (FZCo’s).

Industrial licenses are issued to companies incorporated outside the UAE, FZE’s and FZCo’s.

Service licenses are only granted to companies holding a UAE license.

National Industrial licenses are issued to industrial companies registered within or outside the UAE, provided they meet the conditions of having at least 51% AGCC equity and their local production accounts for at least 40% value added. Products exported by such companies to AGCC states will be exempted from custom duties.

Companies holding Free Zone license are also permitted to operate outside the UAE. Operations within the UAE can be undertaken by appointing a commercial agent.

The following are all the free zones within the UAE;

• Jebel Ali Free Zone
• Dubai Airport Free Zone
• Dubai Internet City
• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Metals & Commodities Center DMCC
• Dubai International Financial Center
• Dubai Auto Zone
• Dubai Building Material Zone
• Dubiotech
• Gold & Diamond Park
• Knowledge Village
• Hamriyah Free Zone
• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Maritime City
• Techno Park
• Sharjah Airport International Free Zone
• Dubai Aid City
• Dubai Health Care City
• Dubai Auto Parts City
• Ajman Free Zone
• Dubai Textile City
• Dubai Outsource Zone
• Dubai Studio City
• Ahmed Bin Rashid Free Zone
• Heavy Equipment & Trucks Free Zone
• Dubai Academic City
• Dubai Flower Center
• Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone
• International Media Production Zone
• Dubai Carpet Free Zone
• Jebel Ali Airport City
• Fujairah Free Zone
• International Humanitarian City
• Umm Al Quwaim Free Zone
• Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority
• Dubai Logistics City
• Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone

Let us guide and assist your free zone choice tailored to your specific business requirements. For more information contact our experts at info@miklegal.com for complete further assistance.