List of free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates

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Free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates are areas that have a special tax, customs and import regime, and are governed by their own framework of regulations (with the exception of UAE criminal law).

Contents

Background

The UAE has a number of free zones across Dubai, [1] Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain. Free zones may be broadly categorized as seaport free zones, airport free zones, and mainland free zones. Free-trade zone exemptions are: [2]

Each Free Zone is designed around one or more strict industry categories. An independent Free Zone Authority (FZA) governs each free zone, and is the agency responsible for issuing FTZ operating licenses and assisting companies with establishing their business in the FTZ. Each free zone has its own specific requirements regarding minimum capital requirements, office or warehouse space and permitted activities; with each possessing the relevant licenses and adequate legislation to enable their dedicated industry to flourish.

Investors can either register a new company in the form of a Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or simply establish a branch or representative office of their existing or parent company based within the UAE or abroad. An FZE is a limited liability company governed by the rules and regulations of the Free Zone in which it is established. Except for acquiring nationality in the UAE, the provisions of the Commercial Companies Law (CCL) do not apply to FZEs, provided that the Free Zones have special provisions regulating such companies.

Free zone companies can run business within the relevant zone or outside the UAE. Some free zones (including ADGM, JAFZA, DMCC, RAK FTZ) allow for inward redomiciliation of foreign companies, which means a transfer of a corporate seat of an existing company from abroad to the UAE free zone. [3]

There are a few Free Zones in UAE that offer Dual Business License [4] for investors. [5] It is expected to allow them to do business in the Free Zone [6] as well as in the mainland of UAE using the same business license. For Example, Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) Free Zone [7] offers a Dual License for the investors enabling them to easily offer services in the mainland [8] and Free Zone together. [9]

Free zones

The Microsoft sign at the entrance of the Dubai Microsoft campus, Dubai Internet City Microsoft Dubai.jpg
The Microsoft sign at the entrance of the Dubai Microsoft campus, Dubai Internet City
Dubai Maritime City, Dubai under construction in 2008 Dubai Maritime City on 8 May 2008 Pict 3.jpg
Dubai Maritime City, Dubai under construction in 2008

There are 46 Free Zones operating in UAE. [10] The number is now 47 with the recently established Sharjah Communication Technologies Free Zone [11]

Abu Dhabi
Dubai [12]
Sharjah
Ajman

Ras Al Khaimah

Fujairah


Umm Al Quwain

Free zones under construction

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emirate of Umm Al Quwain</span> Emirate, one of the constituents of the United Arab Emirates

The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is one of the seven constituent emirates of the United Arab Emirates, located in the north of the country. It is the second smallest and least populous emirate in the UAE and borders the Persian Gulf. Umm Al Quwain lies between Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah/Ajman on the west coast, with a location along the vital trade route between the Middle East and India. It has a coastline stretching to 24 km.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the United Arab Emirates</span> National flag

The flag of the United Arab Emirates contains the Pan-Arab colors red, green, white, and black. It was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was 19 years old at that time, and was adopted on 2 December 1971 after winning a nationwide flag design contest. The main theme of the flag's four colors is the sovereignty and unity of the Arab states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emblem of the United Arab Emirates</span> National emblem of the United Arab Emirates

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Parliamentary elections were held for the first time in the United Arab Emirates between 16 and 20 December 2006 to elect half of the 40 members of Federal National Council. Voting took place in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 16 December, in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah on 18 December, and in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain on 20 December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone</span>

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The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates provides a legal and political framework for the operation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a federation of seven emirates. The Constitution came into effect on 2 December 1971 and was permanently accepted in July 1996. Authored by Adi Bitar, a forming judge and legal advisor, the Constitution is written in 10 parts and has 152 Articles. The United Arab Emirates celebrates the formation of the Union as National Day on 2 December.

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange is a stock exchange in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The General Maritime Treaty of 1820 was initially signed between the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Great Britain in January 1820, with the nearby island state of Bahrain acceding to the treaty in the following February. Its full title was the "General Treaty for the Cessation of Plunder and Piracy by Land and Sea, Dated February 5, 1820".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trucial States</span> British protectorate 1820–1971 in Persian Gulf, precursor to United Arab Emirates

The Trucial States, also known as the Trucial Coast, the Trucial Sheikhdoms, Trucial Arabia or Trucial Oman, was a group of tribal confederations to the south of the Persian Gulf whose leaders had signed protective treaties, or truces, with the United Kingdom between 1820 and 1892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postage stamps and postal history of the United Arab Emirates</span>

This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thumbay Group</span> International business conglomerate

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Sheikh Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mualla was the Ruler of Umm Al Quwain from 1873 to 1904. He led Umm Al Quwain through a turbulent period in the Trucial Coast's history, with conflicts against neighbouring emirates and almost constantly shifting alliances. On two occasions these conflicts led to him being found to breach the terms of the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce with the British. This notwithstanding, he was a signatory to the 1892 Exclusive Agreement, which bound the Trucial Sheikhs and the British together in a protectorate.

The following charts below are the family trees of the rulers of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates from the 18th century to present day. The House of Nahyan rules Abu Dhabi, the House of Maktoum rules Dubai, the House of Qasimi rules Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, the House of Sharqi rules Fujairah, the House of Mualla rules Umm Al Quwain, and the House of Nuaimi rules Ajman. The ruler of Abu Dhabi generally holds the presidency of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai holds the vice presidency and premiership.

Designated Freezones in the United Arab Emirates are special areas in the United Arab Emirates that are subject to special rules for supplies of goods within the region for VAT purposes. They are instrumental components of the country's economic landscape, contributing significantly to its development and global standing. Established to diversify the economy away from oil dependence, these zones serve as pivotal entities fostering international trade, foreign investment and economic growth.

References

  1. Tariq, Warda (May 22, 2024). "Which free zones are best for business setup in UAE?". Emirates Business Setup. UAE: Warda. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. Petch, Neil. "Benefits of UAE Free Trade Zones". Virtuzone.
  3. "Formation of Free Zone Companies in the UAE". Uniwide. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. "Mainland Company Formation in Dubai, UAE - Setup and Licensing". firmz.ae. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  5. "Dual Business License in the Free Zone". aurionuae.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  6. "UAE Freezone Company Formation| Freezone Business Setup". Centriz Corporate Services. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  7. "SPC Free Zone - Sharjah Publishing City Company Setup and License". firmz.ae. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  8. "Setup your Business in the UAE | Set your Business in Dubai, UAE". firmz.ae. 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  9. "Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone offers a Dual License for the investors". dubaifreezonecompany.com.
  10. "45 free zones in the UAE: Find the right one for your new business". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  11. 1 2 Hazem, Hussein; Muhammad, Aamir (1 July 2024). "Sharjah Ruler establishes Sharjah Communication Technologies Free Zone". WAM. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  12. "Top 13 areas for new businesses in Dubai". Shuraa Business Setup. 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2021-03-29.