Over 7,000 companies are now connected to a world of opportunity by strategically locating their businesses in Jafza.

 

Established in 1985 with only 19 businesses, Jafza now sits at the epicentre of interconnected transport links and at the heart of a flourishing economy in the Middle East – Dubai. This unique launch pad has been intricately planned and fine tuned to provide access to markets across the MEASA region and the world, offering a unique infrastructure, efficient partner support and a thriving internal market network that has taken the success of Free Zone trading to new heights. 

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BUSINESS SET UP
 

Get direct access to a market of over 3.5 billion customers. Depending on the number of shareholders and the nature of business, Jafza offers three formation types, a variety of license types, and license activities, allowing companies to connecting directly to a market of more than 3.5 billion people. The number of shareholders determine the formation type for the companies being established in Jebel Ali Free Zone.

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BUSINESS FORMATION TYPES
 

1. Free Zone Establishment (FZE): FZE registration allows for a single shareholder, shareholders can be an individual/person or a non-individual/company. An FZE is essentiallya Limited Liability company within the Free Zone, meaning that the liabilities of the company are limited to its capital paid. An FZE has a legal
   personality distinct from that of its shareholder and has the capacity, rights and privileges of a person.

2. Free Zone Company (FZCo): FZCo registration allows for multiple shareholders (up to 50). Shareholders can be an individual person or a non-individual/company. An FZCo is essentially a Limited Liability company within the Free Zone, meaning that the liabilities of the company are limited to its capital paid. An FZCo has a legal personality distinct from that of its shareholder and has the capacity, rights and privileges of a person.

3. Public Listed Company (PLC): A PLC is a company with limited liability and two or more shareholders. It is essentially a Limited Liability company within the Free Zone, meaning that the liabilities of the company are limited to its capital paid. A PLC has a legal personality distinct from that of its shareholders and has the capacity, rights and privileges of a person. A PLC may invite the public to subscribe to its shares and must list its shares on a stock exchange in accordance with the Markets Laws.

4. Branch of a Company: A branch is considered a legal entity of its parent company; it is 100% owned by the parent company, operates under the same name and conducts the same business. A company established outside of the Jebel Ali Free Zone may establish a branch within Jafza.

 

LICENCE: 
 

1. Trading Licence: Allows the holder to import, export and distribute items specifiedon the licence.

2. General Trading Licence: Allows the holder access to a wider range of activities an a broader range of items on the licence.

3. Service Licence: Allows the holder to carry out the services specified on the licence.

4. Industrial Licence: Allows the holder to import raw materials, carry out the manufacture of specified products and export the finished product to other countries.

5. National Industrial Licence: Issued for manufacturing companies with at least 51% GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) ownership.

6. Logistics Licence: Allows specified logistics services (e.g. storage, transportation, distribution, sorting, forwarding and clearing activities, order management, inventory management etc.)

7. E-Commerce Licence: To carry out buying and selling of goods and services over electronic networks via any electronic means.

8. Innovation Licence: To carry out development of new products and services.

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Offshore:  Any one or more persons may apply for the formation of an incorporated offshore company with limited liability in Jafza. Establishing an offshore company gives your business increased confidentiality over its financial affairs and reduces intrusion.

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ACTIVITY:
 

1. Trading activity: Trading companies will require either a Trading or General Trading licence.

2. Service companies will require a Service licence.Service activity:

3. Industrial activity: Industrial companies will require an Industrial or National Industrial licence.