U.A.E. has 12 Free Trade Zones which provide licences for trade, manufacturing and services. The licences, however, are restricted to the territory of the free trade zones with the consequences that such free trade zone entities are not considered as domiciled in the U.A.E. For the import of goods to the U.A.E. an agent or a company domiciled in the U.A.E. is required. In case the ultimate market is not limited to the U.A.E., the use of a free trade zone entity is recommended. Such a company is especially useful if imports or exports among other countries are organized and executed. At the end of 2002, more than 3.000 companies were registered in the free trade zones with sales in total of more than $ 8 billion.
As soon as a legal presence is established in a free trade zone, management has to lease office space. Business premises are available for every purpose and at every size. A business license is provided by the free trade zone administration and is renewed annually against a fee, provided the rental contract is extended.
The advantages of a free trade zone company are:
   - 100% foreign ownership allowed
   - No import or export duties
   - Full repatriation of invested capital or of profits
   - No corporate or personal income taxes for a period of 15-20   years, renewable for another 15-20 years
   - Warehouse/factory units, offices and vacant plots available for lease
   - Miscellaneous services (employment of individuals, housing, etc.) offered for a fee.
The minimum capital has to be paid to an interim account to be opened at a bank in addition to the founding costs. The establishment of a free trade zone company takes in general up to 4 weeks. Once all formalities are complied with and once all fees are paid, the founder must remain approximately 7 days in the U.A.E. in order to receive the residence-permit, which is stamped into the passport.
List of Free Zones:
Dubai Airport Free Zone     
Phone: +97142995555 
www.dafza.gov.ae
Jebel Ali Free Zone        
Phone +97148815000 
www.jafza.co.ae
Ajman Free Zone
Phone: +97167425444
www.ajmanfreezone.gov.ae
Hamriya Free Zone, Sharjah
Phone: +97165263333 
www.hamriyafz.com
Fujairah Free Zone
Phone: +97192228000 
www.fujairahfreezone.com
Ras Al Kaimah Free Zone
Phone: +97172280889 
www.rakiftz.com
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1