Dubai

In 1980, His Highness Sheikh Rasheed Bin Sayed Al Maktoum signed a decree to establish Jebel Ali Free Zone adding major trade and industrial areas to Jebel Ali port. His vision and wise leadership positioned Dubai as the focal point for Middle East trade. From just 19 companies when it launched in 1985 to over 7000 companies today, JAFZA has grown to become one of the largest free zones in the world, contributing to more than 20% of Dubai’s total GDP.

Ideally located at the world’s crossroad, JAFZA is strategically positioned to connect businesses to the world. Jebel Ali port, the largest container port between Rotterdam and Singapore provides unrivaled ease of connection. Dubai International Airport, world’s 8th busiest cargo airport, the regions extensive highway network enabling goods to flow seamlessly to regional markets and beyond and the eminent Etihad rail linking JAFZA companies to the entire Arabian Peninsula.

Today, more than 100 global Fortune 500 companies call JAFZA home. One of the largest business community in the region, JAFZA caters to the requirements of all companies regardless of size, industry or sector. The JAFZA community of entrepreneurs and multinationals connects in a unique business ecosystem to reduce costs, spark new business opportunities and increase their mutual success making it a right location for them to network and grow.

JAFZA’s one stop shop integrates people, products and centralized processes, takes ease of business to a whole new level, a single point of contact that handles all administration, documentation and applications allows companies to focus on their operations and begin their business with ease and speed. A range of incentives makes JAFZA the ideal place for organizations to establish or expand their operations in the Middle East. JAFZA offers a range of facilities perfect for the present and flexible for the future, choose from infrastructure ready plots of land, pre-built warehouses for storage and manufacturing, showrooms to display products, office space tailored to individual needs, ready to use business centers and JAFZA’S build to suit option that allows you to build your own tailor-made facility supporting the unique requirements of your business.

• 100% client ownership
• 100% repatriation of capital
• 0% corporate tax for 50 years
• 0% import duties
• 0% re-export duties
• 0% income tax
• Zero currency restrictions
• Zero restrictions on employing overseas workforce
• Seamless logistical infrastructure offering the best air, sea, land and rail connections
• The only free zone in the world between one of the world’s largest airports and one of the worlds’ largest seaports

• Ability to obtain a mortgage on client’s premises built on leased plots
• Onsite Customs
• Professional team of people to support clients in set-up and operation of companies
• Fully integrated service – simple operating environment
• Low cost of amenities such as electricity
• Extensive range of customized products – specific operational facilities to support individual needs
• Flexible licenses and categories for business activities
• Attraction of top global companies and investors which facilitates business connections and enables unlimited business opportunities

Types of Companies Registered at JAFZA:

JAFZA offers its clients several options, depending on their business requirements and activities:

• Free Zone Company (FZCo)
• Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
• Branch

Free Zone Company (FZCo)

• Limited Liability Partnership
• Located in the Free Zone
• 2 to 5 shareholders
• Shareholders can be physical persons or non-person (company)

Free Zone Establishment (FZE)

• Limited Liability Partnership
• Located in the Free Zone
• Single shareholder
• Shareholder can be a physical person or non-person (company)

Types of Licenses Issued by JAFZA:

JAFZA issues three types of business licenses:

• Trading
• Service
• Industrial

The type of license selected for a company will depend on the intended business activity.

Trading License

For importing, exporting, storage and distribution of products which are specified on the license. A General Trading License is issued for a wider range of business activities and a wider range of specified products on the license. Examples of trading activities are: the trading of building materials, equipment, machinery, jewelry, metal etc.

Service License

The holder of a Service License is allowed to engage in the services which are specified on the license inside the Free Zone.   A Logistics License allows the holder to provide cargo (air, land, sea) storage, packing, distribution etc services. Examples of service activities are: the supply of fuel, financial consultancy, bank, accountants, building contractors etc

Industrial

The holder of an Industrial License is allowed to import raw materials, manufacture products which are specified on the license and export the finished items. A National Industrial License is issued for manufacturing companies which have minimum 51% Arabian Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC) ownership. Holders of this license have the same status as an AGCC or local company within the UAE. Examples of industrial activities are: the manufacture of aircraft, vehicles, gold products etc.

The process for establishing a business at JAFZA is simple, hassle-free and cost effective right from the application process till hand over of business license.