There are many industries in the UAE and plenty of opportunities for innovation. You might be tempted to jump ahead to the actual setup process straight away, however, we recommend that you decide on the nature of your business up front. 

In Dubai and the UAE, many locations only permit specific business activities. Be careful not to start a business in Dubai, only to realize that you can’t operate in your chosen location! 

For example, certain free zone locations cater to specific activities or industries, such as media, finance or tech. Let’s take a look at Dubai Media City. As its name suggests, it is a free zone dedicated to media companies, or businesses operating media-related activities. Dubai Media City is home to globally renowned media companies, such as BBC, CNN and Thomson Reuters. Another example is Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where large global financial services companies like Credit Suisse AG, Goldman Sachs International and Morgan Stanley have offices. 

Over the years, however, a number of sector-specific free zones have started to welcome general business activities, and not just the ones they are intended for.  

Restrictions aside, there are other reasons why you may want to set up in close proximity to businesses in the same sector as you. Look at transport links too. If your business relies heavily on import and export, you should consider one of the free zones situated near an airport or port.

There are numerous business sectors thriving in the UAE. In 2022 and beyond, the commitment to diversifying beyond the oil economy means that new businesses that contribute to this vision will be looked upon favourably.