UAE Industrial Land Allocation — How to Get Government Industrial Land 2026

UAE Industrial Land Allocation — How to Get Government Industrial Land Guide 2026

UAE governments (both federal and emirate) allocate subsidised industrial land to manufacturers in strategic sectors. Understanding how to access UAE government industrial land can dramatically reduce setup costs for factories. This guide covers UAE industrial land allocation for 2026.

UAE Industrial Land Policy Overview

• Policy goal: UAE’s “Make it in the UAE” industrial strategy (Operation 300bn) aims to grow industrial sector contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031; industrial land at competitive rates supports this
• Federal level: Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) coordinates industrial policy but land allocation is emirate-level
• Emirate-level: each emirate has its own industrial land authority; Abu Dhabi (through Abu Dhabi Ports/KEZAD), Dubai (Dubai Industrial City), Sharjah, RAK, etc.

Abu Dhabi Industrial Land (KEZAD / Abu Dhabi Ports)

• Who to contact: Abu Dhabi Ports Group (Abu Dhabi Industrial City, KIZAD/KEZAD); adports.ae
• Application: submit industrial investment proposal; state investment amount, employment creation, industry type, and land requirement
• Priority sectors: advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, defence, aerospace; these sectors get preferential land allocation
• Subsidy: Abu Dhabi may subsidise land rental (below market rate) for qualifying strategic investments; negotiated case by case
• ADIO (Abu Dhabi Investment Office): large foreign investors should engage ADIO for incentive packages including land, utilities, and labour subsidies; adio.gov.ae

Dubai Industrial Land (Dubai Industrial City / Dubai South)

• Who to contact: Dubai Industrial City or Dubai South; DP World manages; dpworld.com
• Application: apply for industrial plot; state activity, investment, and employment; site visit; lease offer
• Plot sizes: from 2,500 sqm to 50,000+ sqm; long-term leases (10-25 years)
• Rate: market-rate lease (AED 20-50 per sqm/year); Dubai is less subsidised than Abu Dhabi for industrial land

RAK Industrial Land (RAKEZ)

• RAKEZ: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone manages industrial land in RAK
• Most cost-effective: RAK industrial land from AED 12-25 per sqm/year; significantly cheaper than Dubai
• Process: apply via RAKEZ; state activity and land requirement; quick allocation process; known for responsive authority
• Best for: SME-scale manufacturing; ceramics, plastics, metal fabrication, food processing

How to Apply for UAE Industrial Land — General Steps

1. Define requirements: land area (sqm); industry; investment amount; employment to be created; timeline
2. Identify the right authority: based on emirate and strategic fit
3. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI): brief proposal of your industrial project to the relevant authority
4. Due diligence meeting: authority will meet to assess the project
5. Term sheet / lease offer: if approved, receive a term sheet with land location, size, and lease rate
6. Sign lease and begin construction: lease agreement signed; construction within the authority’s timeline (typically must commence within 6-12 months)