United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now one of the most important business destinations in the world. With a legislation favorable to foreign investors, Abu Dhabi, the capital city of UAE, represents a perfect place to start a business. Our team of lawyers can offer you a presentation on the taxation system applicable to foreign businesses.
Abu Dhabi free zones
Abu Dhabi has established until now five free zones, dedicated to local and international companies; the incentives offered to foreign investors are different than the ones provided outside the free zones. Our lawyers in Dubai can present to you the main differences.
The Abu Dhabi free zones are the following:
• the media free zone;
• the industrial free zone – Kizad;
• the green technology free zone – Masdar City;
• the logistics free zone – Aby Dhabi Airport Company;
• the financial free zone – Abu Dhabi Global Market.
It is advisable to open a company in one of the free zones, as the incorporation process is simple, the legislative system offers incentives to foreign investors and the infrastructure provided in the free zone is of high quality.
Main characteristics of registration in Abu Dhabi free zones
The incorporation process is done under the supervision of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED). In order to start a company here is necessary to choose a company type, to obtain a license according to the business activity your company will have and to register a trading name.
A free zone company benefits on the following tax exemptions and incentives:
• full foreign ownership;
• 100% tax exemption on corporate tax and on income tax;
• full repatriation of profits;
• no custom duty.
When registering a company in Abu Dhabi, you can choose to incorporate it as a limited liability company, a branch of a local or foreign company or an establishment; you can ask our lawyers in Dubai which type of company would be more suitable to your business.
In the free zones of Abu Dhabi you will need a license for activities such as: commerce, agriculture, industry or tourism; for individuals professing a certain craft, the DED issues professional or occupational licenses.
If you need further information about the registration process of a company, please contact our lawyers in Dubai.