The UAE has over 45 free zones and multiple industrial parks. Here is the complete 2025 comparison of UAE economic zones and industrial parks.
UAE Free Zones vs. Industrial Parks vs. Mainland Industrial Areas
UAE Free Zones: offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% UAE customs duty on goods within the zone, simplified licensing, dedicated business communities. Best for: professional services, trading, media, technology, and financial services. UAE Industrial Parks (within free zones): offer the same free zone benefits PLUS dedicated industrial land (plots, warehouses, manufacturing facilities). Examples: JAFZA (Jebel Ali, Dubai) — world-class port-connected industrial zone. KIZAD/KEZAD (Abu Dhabi) — near Khalifa Port. RAKEZ Industrial Zone (RAK) — competitive industrial land rates. Hamriyah Free Zone (Sharjah) — flexible industrial plots and warehouses. UAE Mainland Industrial Areas: governed by the UAE government industrial licensing (MoIAT — Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology). Can sell directly to UAE mainland market without paying customs duties (advantage over free zone manufacturers). ICAD (International City Abu Dhabi), Al Quoz Industrial Area (Dubai), Sharjah Industrial Area — mainland industrial zones.
UAE Industrial Parks Cost Comparison 2025
JAFZA: premium pricing (AED 25-60/sqft/year for warehouse, higher for manufacturing). Justified by world-class infrastructure and port proximity. KEZAD Abu Dhabi: competitive (AED 15-35/sqft/year). Abu Dhabi government incentives for priority sectors. Hamriyah Sharjah: affordable (AED 15-30/sqft/year). Good for mid-sized manufacturers. RAKEZ RAK: lowest cost (AED 10-20/sqft/year). Attractive for price-sensitive industrial operators. Mainland industrial (Al Quoz, ICAD): slightly lower than free zone equivalents but with UAE customs duty on imported components.