UAE FREE ZONES SPEED UP MARKET ACCESS FOR START-UPS

Innovation in the UAE free zones has emerged as a key driver of economic momentum, as more global businesses choose the country as a base for rapid, scalable growth. Highlighted by panelists at Gulf News' the UAE Growth & Investment Forum, free zones are leveraging regulatory agility, digital infrastructure and sector-focused ecosystems to attract foreign investment.

- By Chiranti Sengupta

Experts from the UAE's top free Zones noted that new initiatives, such as instant licensing, policy innovation and Al-powered platforms, are simplifying market entry and consolidating the UAE's role as a global launchpad for businesses.

Free zones fuel expansion

According to Zubair Makhdoomi, Director of Sales at the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, the UAE's free zone model has been instrumental in driving business growth across industries.

"We've seen unprecedented growth in free zone activities over the last five years, primarily because they allow companies to be 100 per cent foreign-owned," he said.