Dubai has issued a new resolution regulating the operations of free zone companies aimed at making it easier for them to expand operations within the emirate.
The resolution was issued by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in his role as chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai on Monday.
It states that any company or institution licensed by a free zone relevant authority may operate outside the free zone and within Dubai, as long as it obtains the necessary licenses or permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The resolution does not apply to financial institutions licensed to operate within the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Establishments must observe the applicable federal and local regulations related to their activities and maintain separate financial records for their operations conducted outside the free zone, separate from those within the free zone, the Dubai Media Office said on Monday.
Also, if the companies wish to operate outside Dubai, they must secure the required licences and permits from the relevant authorities, it said.
“This latest resolution marks a significant advancement in enhancing the business landscape, by enabling free zone businesses to effortlessly expand their operations beyond the free zones into mainland Dubai,” it added.
According to the resolution, the DET is authorised to issue a licence to a company to establish a branch within the emirate or a licence for a branch with its headquarters in the free zone. These licences are valid for one year and can be renewed, the statement said. Permits may also be issued for specific activities within the emirate.
The DET, in co-ordination with the licensing authority, is required to issue a list of economic activities that companies can conduct in Dubai within six months.
The resolution also outlines the requirements for obtaining a licence, the procedures for issuing activity permits, and the conditions for employing the company's workforce.
Any company licensed to operate in Dubai under this resolution is subject to inspection, the statement added.
The initiative is in line with the city's ambitious D33 agenda, under which it aims to double the size of its economy to Dh32 trillion ($8.71 trillion) over the next decade and establish the emirate among the top three global cities. The plan aims to support 30 private companies in their push to become so-called unicorns – start-ups worth more than $1 billion.
The D33 agenda also aims to make Dubai a global digital economy leader, the fastest-growing and most attractive global business centre, and a hub for sustainability and economic diversification by 2033.
In the first nine months of last year, Dubai's economy grew by 3.1 per cent, reaching Dh339.4 billion, with growth largely driven by strides in several sectors including the wholesale and retail trade, transport and storage and financial and insurance activities.
Dubai was also ranked as the world’s top destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects for the fourth consecutive year, last year.
Dubai attracted 1,117 greenfield FDI projects worth more than Dh52.3 billion last year, a 33.2 per cent increase from 2023, the Dubai Media Office this month, quoting the Financial Times' fDi Markets data.
In terms of the greenfield FDI value, this was the highest recorded by the emirate in a single year since 2020, and in project numbers, it was the highest in its history.
"The new resolution is a significant step forward in making business operations more seamless in Dubai," said Paul Bryson, managing director of Virtuzone, which helps in company formation.
"While companies have previously been able to establish mainland branches from free zones, restrictions on certain commercial activities, particularly those involving physical goods trading, have posed challenges.
"The natural next step would be to enable corporate migration between the various jurisdictions within the UAE, further enhancing business flexibility and economic growth," he added.
Business Extra: What challenges do women still face in the Middle East start-up scene?
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
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Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
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arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
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Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
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They just say they may need to work a little harder than others
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The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
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October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
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Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
