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SAIF Zone vs RAKEZ vs Hamriyah: Best Northern UAE Free Zone for Manufacturing 2026
Manufacturers and industrial companies in UAE often look at northern emirate free zones for lower costs. SAIF Zone, RAKEZ, and Hamriyah are the top three options. Here is the 2026 comparison.
In this guide:
SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport International Free Zone)
- Location: Sharjah Airport
- Cost: AED 10,800-25,000 year 1 depending on land/office requirements
- Industrial: Light manufacturing, assembly, general industrial activities
- Airport access: Adjacent to Sharjah International Airport
- Best for: Light manufacturing, assembly, logistics, trading
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)
- Location: Ras Al Khaimah
- Cost: AED 14,000-30,000+ year 1
- Industrial: Excellent industrial park infrastructure; natural resources proximity (RAK has limestone, gypsum)
- Best for: Industrial manufacturing, construction materials, cement, chemicals, food processing
- Land: RAKEZ has available industrial land at competitive rates
Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA)
- Location: Hamriyah Port, Sharjah
- Cost: AED 15,000-35,000 year 1 depending on facility type
- Port access: Direct access to Hamriyah Port — 4th largest UAE port
- Industrial: Heavy industry, oil and gas services, ship repair, steel fabrication
- Best for: Oil and gas companies, ship repair, heavy industrial manufacturing
Recommendation by Industry
- Light manufacturing / assembly: SAIF Zone (cheapest entry)
- Heavy industrial / natural resources: RAKEZ
- Oil and gas services / marine industry: Hamriyah Free Zone
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