Dubai launches initiative to ease business access to multiple freezones

Dubai on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at providing businesses with seamless access to multiple free zones, while maintaining a single license, as the city aims to widen its investor-friendly business environment. 

A French luxury fashion brand was the first to leverage the "One Freezone Passport" initiative and will now maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) while establishing its corporate office at One Za’abeel, part of DWTC Free Zone. The streamlined free zone licence expansion process was completed in five days.

The programme enables companies licensed at a single free zone to benefit from facilities located in other free zones across the emirate without requiring additional licensing.

Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said, “The One Freezone Passport is a transformative initiative that cements Dubai’s position as a global economic powerhouse. By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a premier investment destination."

Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), said, “ This innovative programme from Dubai Free Zones Council enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city’s free zones, actively contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.”

Amna Al Ali. Vice President, Licensing and Registration at Jebel Ali Free Zones, said the One Freezone Passport initiative represents a transformative approach to free zones operations in Dubai.

The DWTC Free Zone offers a competitive and robust ecosystem, set within a regulated environment. Home to global companies, SMEs innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 diverse sectors, the DWTCA Free Zone offers a dynamic and business-friendly environment in the heart of the city with a key focus on offering tailor-made services to meet wide-ranging tenant requirements.