Free Zone Business Activities

What type of business can I set up in a UAE free zone?

As outlined in our section on UAE Company Set-up Steps, one of the very first decisions to take in your journey towards incorporating a UAE free zone company, and any company in the UAE for that matter, is to select the most suitable business activity. This process is very straightforward, and you may choose 1-6 activities which have to be closely related, depending on the free zone. Generally speaking Trading and service activities cannot be combined, however some free zones offer this flexibility for an additional cost. It should also be noted that for some activities third party approvals are required. In your initial free consultation with us we will help you identify the most suitable activity or activities for your business to ensure a seamless application process when the time comes to apply for your UAE trade license.

The categories below outline the business activities you can choose from when setting up your UAE free zone company with BS Consulting. While our focus is mainly on consultancy and service-related activities, we are also able to support DED, offshore, commercial or general trading-related activities.

  • Consultancy
    Consultancy covers a wide range of consulting activities including business consultancy, lifestyle consultancy, investment consultancy, legal consultancy, and human resource consultancy.
  • Trading
    Trading activities can be related to any import or export related transactions for specific products.
  • General Trading
    This type of license covers trading of all products. This is why it’s generally more expensive and some free zones require physical office.
  • Education and Training
    A wide range of activities fall under the education and training categories, but please note these are only available under packages with visa eligibility.
  • IT services
    IT services covers a range of activities within the information and communications technology sector, including e-commerce.
  • Media and Marketing Services
    This category covers an array of activities including advertising, public relations, research, and much more.
  • Event Management
    Event management covers many activities, from conference organization and management, to theatre production, to sports management, to much more.
  • Industrial
    Industrial licenses cover manufacturing and the processing of raw goods. These activities often coincide with warehousing requirements.