UAE free zones are among the most attractive destinations for foreign investment globally

The free zones in the country have developed over the past four decades, since the establishment of Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in 1985, to become the UAE today home to more than 45 free zones that offer unique investment facilities and advantages, and the UAE free zones have become one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment in the world.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is the largest customs zone in the Middle East, currently hosting more than 10,500 companies.

In turn, Dubai Internet City, which was established in 1999, has become a major hub for technology companies in the region.

Some free zones specialize in financial sectors. In this field, the Dubai International Financial Centre stands out, providing an ideal and integrated work environment that combines an independent global regulatory body and an effective judicial system based on the principles of English common law, in addition to a business community with a workforce of more than 39,000 professionals in more than 4,900 active and registered companies.

In turn, the Abu Dhabi Global Market is a financial free zone located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, providing a high-quality regulatory environment for companies specializing in the financial sector.

KIZAD is one of the largest free zones in the Middle East and the largest operator of integrated economic zones in the country.

Kizad Group provides access to strategic markets, lower operating costs and ease of doing business for over 2,000 investors across 17 key industry sectors. In the same context, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre continues its leadership after winning the “Best Free Zone in the World 2023” award from the Financial Times’ fDi for the ninth consecutive year.

During the first half of this year, the centre succeeded in attracting more than 1,000 new companies, bringing the total number of companies registered in its free zone to about 25,000 companies. The centre’s contribution to the inflow of foreign direct investment into the Emirate of Dubai increased to 15%, compared to 11% last year, in addition to its contribution of about 7% to the emirate’s gross domestic product.