UAE is one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs & investors worldwide due to its business friendly environment, incentives & world class infrastructure.
Free zones in UAE provides ‘ease of doing business’ benefits. Easy registration, approvals have made the Free zones best option for setting up the Company in UAE as compared to mainland Company setup. Further, due to affordable licence fee & renewal costs, Free zones are one of the most favourite option for investors worldwide.
With over 50 Free zones in UAE, choosing the right free zone is not an easy task.
Each Free zones has its own benefits & rules & regulations. Further, there are some industry specific Free zones as well which should be considered before deciding the right free zone for the Business.
Following factors need to be considered while choosing the right free zone for the business:
1) Business activity
2) Facility requirement by the Free zone
3) Capital requirement
4) Additional support available with Free zones
5) Reputation of Free zone with banks
Let us understand the above factors in detail:
1) Business activity
Most Free zones are industry specific offering designated services for industries like consulting, trading, finance, media etc.
Choosing the industry specific Free zone can provide networking & collaboration opportunities similar to your niche business.
2) Facility requirement by the business
Office space is usually provided by Free zones. Type & size of office space available with the Free zones is an important factor to consider while deciding the Free zone. Initially a co- orking space or flexi desk may be suitable for your business.
If you require warehousing or manufacturing facility, you may need to choose a different Free zone providing such facilities.
3) Capital Requirement
Each Free zone has a minimum capital requirement, visa fees & renewal fees. It is important to compare the costs of the Free zones to suit your requirement.
However, choosing the cheapest Free zone may not always be the best solution as you may need to consider your growth opportunities & potential ROI it may bring in that particular Free zone.
4) Additional support available with the Free zones
Location also play an important role in deciding the best Free zone for your business. In case you are looking for warehousing options, Free zone near to airports or ports may be suitable to your business as they provide warehousing facilities. In case you are looking for manufacturing facilities, you may need to choose Free zone which provide manufacturing facilities.
5) Reputation of Free zone with banks
Bank account opening is one of the most difficult tasks in UAE. Bank always consider the Free zone in which your company is located.
Choosing the Free zone with good reputation with local UAE Banks play a crucial factor in deciding the right Free zone.
Best Free zones in UAE-
1) Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC)
- It is suitable for startup Companies
- Based on Primary location
- Affordable Trade Licence Costs
- Primary Global financial centre
2) Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
- Suitable for key industries like crypto, precious metals, energy, agri-products
- Great support system for SMEs
- Dual license options for businesses wanting to expand to the mainland.
3) Meydan Free zone
- Suitable for Consulting Business
- Affordable Trade Licence Cost
- One of most sought after Free zone in Dubai
- Top-class infrastructure
- Tailor-made solutions for e-commerce companies
4) Jebel Ali Free zone Authority (JAFZA)
- Suitable for those looking for warehousing, storage & production facilities
- Strategically located near Jebel Ali Sea Port
- Offers easy access to Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa markets
- Ideal for import and export activities
- Excellent business support, including customs clearance, storage and transportation
5) Dubai media City
- Largest media center in the region
- Home to the BBC, CNN, and Thomson Reuters
- Smooth and easy business setup processes
- Ideal business environment for media, creative, and digital industries
6) Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Suitable for aerospace, IT & engineering industries
- Located near the airport
- Offers easy access to Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa markets
- Ideal for import and export activities
- Excellent business support, including customs clearance, storage and transportation
At Vidhu Duggal & Company, we help in choosing the right free zone for you according to your business activity & requirements. We have been helping businesses in business setups in UAE, Corporate Tax registration & VAT Compliances. For any query,
you can reach out to us at
📩 Reach us: vidhu@vidhuduggalandco.com
📞 +91 92687 47482
