The Great choices in UAE to begin a Start-Up
When deciding where to begin your business setup in UAE, you should first have a glance on the attractions of every free zone and understanding exactly what each free zone has to offer. It’s very important as it is the beginning. So, when making your selection Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ) and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) are two important hotspots in the UAE.
For many entrepreneurs, a strategic location is the single most important factor in selecting the ideal place to trade in the UAE. It’s difficult to locate your start-up in a business zone that allows you to trade easily and connects other parts of the UAE, as well as the rest of the world. This is where ADAFZ and become the two front runners above other free zones and mainland start-up destinations, and many global start-up hubs indeed. ADAFZ is a premium ‘aerotropolis’ built around Abu Dhabi International Airport, making it one of the UAE’s most strategically and financially prominent free zones. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports, ADAFZ also includes strategic sites at Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen Airport. KIZAD is built right next to Khalifa Port, one of the world’s most advanced deep-sea ports and the region’s first semi-automated ports. It is served by 20 major shipping lines and connected to over 60 destination ports.
It’s not just geography that makes ADAFZ and KIZAD attractive to entrepreneurs – it’s the substantial government investment in infrastructure. Both free zones are linked to the UAE’s major road networks as well. The airport free zone spreads out over an area of more than 10 square kilometers and includes five commercial districts – Logistics Park, Business Park, Destination Village, Al Falah District and Airport City. Both ADAFZ and KIZAD are part of the Abu Dhabi Government’s long-term economic vision and the backbone of Dubai at present. They are expected to transform the emirate’s economy, reduce reliance on oil, and place a greater focus on knowledge-based industries. Khalifa Free Zone was built with the aim to contribute 15% of the emirate’s non-oil GDP by the year 2030. It is designed to meet the highest standards of infrastructure, logistics and investor support. Khalifa will also soon be a key junction on the UAE’s new railway system – Etihad Rail – which will link up transport hubs in the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
If you are planning to launch a new enterprise in the UAE, you will be really looking to keep costs very minimum. This is what makes you feel the advantage of locating in an Abu Dhabi free zone. The Benefits include no income tax, no tax on capital gains and sales, no customs duties, 100% repatriation of capital and profit and low operational costs. free zones allow 100% foreign ownership and it makes for a compelling case to set up a business here. Free zones allow 100% foreign ownership, this compels the entrepreneurs to start up a business here. The main advantage of start-ups based in Abu Dhabi is the lowest rates for water and electrical power anywhere else in the world.
The UAE is ranked 11th globally for ease of doing business by the World Bank’s Doing Business 2019 survey. Apart from the great advantages of the strategic location and tax exemptions, entrepreneurs benefit from a purpose-built infrastructure, world-class utilities and support services, and a ready-made business hub with easy access to regional and global markets. The other add on for operating a new business in ADAFZ or KIZAD free zones is they each offer thriving business hubs for specific industry sectors.
ADAFZ provides warehousing and fully serviced offices for start-ups in a wide range of business sectors such as Aerospace, airlines and aircraft-related services, Logistics, transportation, distribution and storage, Assembly and light manufacturing, Technology and communication, Trading and retailing, Consultancy, Pharmaceuticals, and Luxury goods.
Entrepreneurs who want to specialize in trade and logistics and manufacturing are too much into KIZAD. The main attractions include Aluminium, steel and metal products, Paper and packaging, Food processing, Pharmaceutical, and healthcare equipment, Polymer converting and Automotive spare parts.
Each zone offers something extra to make doing business easy. Now it is your turn to choose. I believe you won’t close your eyes against the interesting array of facilities and benefits ADAFZ and KIZAD provide. You can even ask the help of an expert local agent if you are an indecisive person.
