The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (DTMFZ) was developed by Tecom Investments and is made up of nine business parks operating as separate entities. The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (DTMFZA) has divided the free zone into four clusters:
- the media cluster,
- the education cluster,
- the information and communication (ICT) cluster,
- the sciences cluster.
The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority is also the only regulator in the free zone. In 2003, the DTMFZA enabled the Technology and Media Free Zone Companies Regulations which applies to other free zones among which the Dubai Internet City, Knowledge Village, the Dubai Outsource Zone and Dubai Studio City.
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Registering an IT company in Dubai
The first thing to consider when setting up a company in the information technology sector in Dubai is where the business will carry out its activities: in Dubai or in one of its free zones. Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai Outsource Zone are just three of the free zones appropriate to set up companies in the information technology sector in the emirate.
While onshore IT companies must register with the Trade Register in Dubai, free zone companies must register with the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (TECOM) in order to operate in a Dubai free zone.
Our company registration agents in Dubai can assist with the company formation procedures for both onshore and free zone companies in the IT sector.
Licenses issued by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority
According to the DTMFZA, each type of company will be issued a business license depending on the cluster it belongs to. License categories have been categorized under different segments and each segment encompasses an established number of activities. The types of licenses issued by the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority are:
- free-zone limited liability companies licenses under the publishing segment,
- licenses under the broadcasting TV and radio segments,
- licenses under the food segment,
- licenses under the storage activity segment,
- licenses under the manufacturing and productivity segment,
- licenses under the higher education provider segment.
Each type of company registered in the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone is subject to certain requirements, such as a minimum number of shareholders and minimum capital requirements. Our agents in Dubai may provide you with all the relevant information for company registration in DTMFZ.
Why open a company in Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone?
One of the greatest advantages for setting up a company in the Technology and Media Free Zone in Dubai is the variety of licenses available for company incorporation. In a Dubai free zone, investors may set up companies with 100% foreign ownership. No personal or corporate taxes will be applied to Dubai free zone companies for 50 years. Other tax advantages are full repatriation of capital and profits and no customs duties for goods and services.
For assistance in opening a business in DTMFZ, please contact our company incorporation agents in Dubai.