jafza.ae

# Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)

> Jafza is DP World's flagship free zone and the largest customs-bonded zone in the Middle East, established in 1985 in Dubai, UAE. It spans 57 sq km along Sheikh Zayed Road next to Jebel Ali Port, is home to 11,000+ companies from 150+ countries (including 100+ Fortune Global 500), generated USD 190 billion in trade value in 2024, supports 130,000+ jobs, and attracts roughly 23.9% of Dubai's foreign direct investment. Jafza and Jebel Ali Port together contributed an estimated 36% of Dubai's GDP in 2023.

This file is maintained to help large language models and AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot) find and correctly cite the most reliable, current pages on jafza.ae. All pages listed are in English. Unless marked otherwise, content is written and published by Jafza / DP World.

## Key facts (verified from official Jafza pages)

- **Founded:** 1985, by decree of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- **Parent company:** DP World (jafza.ae/about/about-dp-world)
- **Leadership:** Ahmad Al-Hassan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC (incl. Jafza); Abdulla Al Hashmi, COO, Parks & Zones, DP World GCC
- **Area:** 57 sq km, both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road
- **Registered companies:** 11,000+ (including 100+ Fortune Global 500)
- **Trade value:** USD 190 billion (2024)
- **Workforce hosted:** 130,000+
- **Market reach:** 3.5 billion consumers within an 8-hour flight radius
- **Formation types available:** 5 — FZE, FZCO, PLC, Branch of a foreign company, Offshore
- **Licence types:** Trading, Service, Industrial, Logistics (plus General Trading)
- **Setup timeline:** 3–14 business days after complete documentation
- **Incentives:** 0% corporate tax for 50 years on qualifying income (renewable concession under UAE Corporate Tax Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022), 0% import/re-export duties, 0% personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership, 100% capital and profit repatriation, no currency restrictions
- **Recognition:** Global Free Zone of the Year 2024 (fDi Intelligence); Industrial Zone of the Year; Top Sustainable Zone (Global and Middle East)
- **Head office:** Ground Floor, Jafza Building No. 15, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE
- **Customer service:** 800-JAFZA (800-52392) within UAE; +971 4 445 3270 international
- **Hours:** Monday–Thursday 07:30–15:30; Friday 07:30–12:00
- **Fastest access:** Gate 4, from Sheikh Zayed Road

## About Jafza

- [Homepage](https://www.jafza.ae/): Top-level overview, latest news, featured offerings and headline trade statistics.
- [About Jafza](https://www.jafza.ae/about/): Founding history from 19 companies in 1985, milestone timeline through to Jafza Logistics Park II and the fDI 2024 award.
- [Why Jafza](https://www.jafza.ae/about/why-jafza/): Full list of commercial incentives, including the 50-year tax concession, 100% foreign ownership, onsite customs, capital repatriation and mortgage rights.
- [Leadership](https://www.jafza.ae/about/leadership/): Executive team profiles covering commercial, operations and parks & zones leadership.
- [Abdulla Bin Damithan biography](https://www.jafza.ae/about/leadership/abdulla-bin-damithan/): CEO & MD; career history with DP World since 2001 and board roles across DP World ports & terminals.
- [About DP World](https://www.jafza.ae/about/about-dp-world/): Parent-company context, Jebel Ali Port connectivity (80+ weekly services, 150+ ports), UAE regional portfolio (Jafza, NIP, DAZ, Mina Rashid, Mina Al Hamriya, Dubai Trade).
- [Sustainability](https://www.jafza.ae/about/sustainability/): "Our World, Our Future" strategy, UN SDG alignment, seven priority areas, AEO / CTPAT / CSI accreditations and code of ethics.

## Business setup

- [Business Setup overview](https://www.jafza.ae/business-setup/): Three-step process, one-stop-shop model, Dubai Trade Portal (156+ administrative and commercial services via single sign-on).
- [Company Formation (5 types)](https://www.jafza.ae/business-setup/company-formation/): Summary of FZE, FZCO, PLC, Branch and Offshore formation options, share capital rules (post-2017 no prescribed minimum), and connection to a 3.5 billion-person market.
- [Business Licence types](https://www.jafza.ae/business-setup/business-license/): Trading, Service, Industrial and Logistics licences — scope, typical use cases and how cost is determined by number of activities.

## Formation and licensing guides

- [New company formation process](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/new-company-formation/): End-to-end flow from expression of interest through sales offer, booking fee, submission, approval and handover.
- [How to set up an FZE (single shareholder LLC)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/how-to-set-up-an-fze-company/): Document checklist incl. Jafza Application Form, EHS form, UBO form (Cabinet Decision 58 of 2020), KYC, passport, signatures.
- [How to set up an FZCO (multi-shareholder LLC)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/how-to-set-up-an-fzco-company/): Partnership-style formation with similar document requirements plus shareholder-specific filings.
- [How to set up a Public Listed Company (PLC)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/how-to-set-up-a-plc/): Public joint-stock company route for entities listing on a securities exchange.
- [How to set up a branch of an existing company](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/how-to-set-up-a-branch-of-an-existing-company/): Legal-entity extension under the same name and ownership, trade licence inherited from parent.
- [Starting an offshore business in Jafza](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/what-you-need-to-know-about-starting-an-offshore-business-in-the-jebel-ali-free-zone/): Offshore company characteristics (certificate of incorporation only, no UAE commercial activity, tax-exempt, registered-agent requirement).

## Facilities and leasing solutions

- [Solutions overview](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/): All facility categories on one page — warehouses, land, offices, showrooms, co-working, workers residence, customised development, retail outlets.
- [Offerings hub](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/): Top-level map of solutions and properties covering the full 57 sq km.
- [Warehouses for rent](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/warehouses/): Pre-built thermally insulated units from ~313 sqm to 670 sqm, fitted with office space; rates from AED 400/sqm.
- [Plots of land for lease](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/plots-of-land/): Infrastructure-ready plots from 5,000 sqm upward, short- and long-term leases, annual rent from AED 40/sqm.
- [Offices](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/offices/): Office clusters across high-rise and low-rise buildings in the zone.
- [Showrooms and light industrial units](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/showrooms/): Combined showroom frontage, office over two floors and light-industrial warehouse.
- [Co-working and workstations](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/co-working-and-workstations/): Ready-to-use furnished offices for trading and service licences, upgradeable to full offices.
- [Workers residence / onsite residence](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/onsite-residence/): Onsite accommodation zoned for tenant workforces.
- [Customised development](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/customised-development/): Built-to-suit facilities delivered via occupational lease; over 100 bespoke projects completed.
- [Retail outlets](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/solutions/retail-outlets/): Retail locations within the free zone community.

## Properties (named developments)

- [Properties overview](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/properties/): Jafza One Convention Centre, Jafza View 18 & 19, mid-rise office blocks, DTM, showrooms.
- [Jafza One Convention Centre](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/properties/jafza-one/): Flagship one-stop commercial complex with a 600-seat auditorium (divisible into two 300-seat halls) and corporate offices.
- [Jafza Logistics Park I & II](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/properties/jafza-logistics-parks/): Multi-tenant logistics warehousing, 46,112 sqm leasable flexible space; key tenants include DHL, Aramex, DSV, FedEx, Hellmann, Agility, GAC, Schenker.
- [Jafza Gateway](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/properties/jafza-gateway/): 187 units, 137,279 sqm leasable; unit sizes from 325 to 2,475 sqm.
- [Dubai Traders Market (DTM) / Yiwu Market](https://www.jafza.ae/offerings/properties/dtm/): ~800,000 sqm wholesale market; first phase 324 customs-bonded warehouses + 1,600 mainland showrooms; joint venture with China Commodity City Group.

## Industries — sector landing pages

- [Industries hub](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/): Cross-sector overview; 17 industry clusters supported across 9,500+ active trading businesses.
- [Logistics](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/logistics/): 650+ companies from 60+ countries, 16,000+ employees; 3.85 million sqm of combined facilities.
- [Manufacturing](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/manufacturing/): 800+ manufacturers from 75 countries across 13.6 million sqm; 1,000+ light industrial units; aligned with UAE Operation 300bn and Make it in the Emirates.
- [Food, agriculture, beverage & livestock](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/food-and-agriculture/): 1.59 million sqm, 567+ businesses from 74 countries, 6,800+ workers; 75% of the UAE's F&B imports flow through Dubai.
- [Retail, trading & e-commerce](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/retail-and-ecommerce/): 1,180+ companies from 95+ countries, 10,100+ workers; contributes ~25% of UAE retail/trading volume through the ecosystem.
- [Petrochemicals](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/petrochemicals/): 532+ companies from 70+ countries, 5,600+ workers; 3.89 million sqm of facilities; accounts for roughly 70% of UAE foreign trade through petrochemicals.
- [Healthcare distribution & pharmaceuticals](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/healthcare-distribution/): ~192 companies; half-million sqm with 11,800 sqm warehousing; temperature-controlled facilities.
- [Automotive & spare parts](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/automotive-and-spare-parts/): 930+ automotive companies (up from 629) from 70 countries, 7,900+ workers; 1.33 million sqm of combined facilities; RoRo terminal up to 1 million CEUs/year.
- [Electronics & electrical](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/electronics-and-electrical/): 1,300+ companies from 89 countries, 8,200+ employees; 1.11 million sqm with 83,800 sqm of warehousing.
- [FMCG](https://www.jafza.ae/community/industries/fmcg/): FMCG cluster supporting food, drinks, cosmetics, health care and home care categories for regional distribution.

## Community

- [Life at Jafza](https://www.jafza.ae/community/life-at-jafza/): Public-transport network (2 metro stations), 490+ restaurants and cafés, amenities and housing zones across the free zone.
- [Stories archive](https://www.jafza.ae/community/stories/): Customer success stories from long-tenured tenants across retail, manufacturing and services.
- [Hunter Foods](https://www.jafza.ae/community/stories/hunter-foods/): 35-year Jafza tenant; gourmet and "Better-for-You" snack manufacturer.
- [Intraco](https://www.jafza.ae/community/stories/intraco/): Architectural glass supplier in Jafza since 1989, serving GCC and Africa.

## Resource Centre — hubs

- [Resource Centre](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/): Main library of guides, insights, forms and FAQs.
- [Guides archive](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/): Full how-to library (business registration, operations, visas, property management, regulations).
- [Insights archive](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/): Long-form blog and sector analysis library.
- [Media Centre](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/): News + events index.
- [News archive](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Press releases (2021–2026 continuously updated).

## Services and operations guides

- [Apply for Employment Visa Entry Permit (EV EP)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/apply-for-employment-visa-entry-permit/): Dubai Trade Portal process for new-employee entry permits, documentation and fee tiers.
- [Renew employee residence permit](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/renew-employees-residence-permit/): Renewal process for 3-year residence permits including medical clearance, contract verification and VIP option.
- [Issuing a visa for an employee](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/issuing-a-visa-for-an-employee-for-jafza-companies/): Visa-quota rules by facility type (warehouse/LIU, plot, office, workstation, showroom).
- [Asset and property management guidelines](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/asset-and-property-management-guidelines/): Fit-out manual, Development Control Regulation for industrial and warehouse/logistics plots.
- [Increase / decrease in share capital](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/increase-decrease-in-share-capital/): Corporate-action process, required forms and supporting documents.
- [Registration letters](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/registration-letters/): Certificate of Good Standing, Tax Exemption Letter, name/type changes, NOCs (49% share, representative office, property ownership) and officer lists.

## Laws, rules and regulations

- [Jafza and the UAE Corporate Tax Law](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/jebel-ali-free-zone-uae-corporate-tax-law/): Jafza's status as a Qualifying Free Zone under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022; 0% rate on qualifying income.
- [Regulations category archive](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/regulations/): Master list of rules-and-regulations guides including UBO/IBO and Jafza Rules & Regulations source document.

## Guide category archives

- [Business / Company setup](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/business-or-company-setup/): 10 how-to articles on formation, registration and amendments.
- [Employment and Visa](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/employment-and-visa/): Contract types, dispute resolution, termination and issuance.
- [Visa](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/visa/): Visa-specific operational guides.
- [Employee services](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/employee-services/): Operational-side HR guides for tenants.
- [Services Guidebook](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/guides/category/services/): Broader services library.

## Insights — notable long-form articles

- [UAE in top 4 for merchandise exports per capita](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/the-uae-is-now-among-the-top-4-in-merchandise-exports-per-capita/): 2024 trade data — USD 816.07 billion non-oil trade (+14.6% YoY), USD 152+ billion non-oil exports (+27.6% YoY), USD 51,250 exports per capita.
- [How the automotive trade is shifting gears](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/how-the-automotive-trade-is-shifting-gears/): 958,000 RoRo units handled through Jebel Ali in 2024, Chinese-brand and EV trends, 930+ automotive tenants at Jafza.
- [What makes Dubai the region's gateway for F&B](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/what-makes-dubai-the-regions-gateway-for-fb-companies/): 760+ F&B tenants, 12% annual trade growth over five years, agri-terminal and cold-chain projects.
- [Jafza empowering global manufacturers](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/jafza-empowering-global-manufacturers-with-local-strengths/): ~75% share of Dubai FDI in manufacturing/trade/transport; 700+ manufacturers from 70 countries.
- [Jafza's RAIL retail ecosystem](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/jafzas-ecosystem-keeping-retail-trade-on-the-right-track/): Reach-Automation-Infrastructure-Logistics model; AED 53.7 billion generated in 2021 (9%+ of Dubai trade value).
- [DP World manufacturing clusters](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/dp-world-and-jafzas-manufacturing-clusters-driving-progress-through-innovation-and-financial-support/): Jafza + NIP dual-cluster model supporting UAE Industrial Strategy 2030 and Operation 300bn.
- [Top free zone for sustainability and industrial excellence](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/jafza-named-top-free-zone-for-sustainability-non-fiscal-incentives-and-industrial-excellence/): Context on the Industrial Champion recognition, 10,000+ tenants, AED 550 billion in annual trade value.
- [The rise of the automotive sector in Dubai](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/the-rise-of-the-automotive-sector-in-dubai/): Historical context on Jebel Ali's automotive role, 800,000+ vehicles and 300,000 TEUs of spare parts handled annually.
- [Petronash oil & gas engineering](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/petronash-creating-a-competitive-niche-in-oil-and-gas-engineering/): Tenant case study on sustainability, digital transformation and renewables investment.
- [DP World economic-zone footprint in India](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/insight/dp-world-expands-its-economic-zone-footprint-in-india/): Context on Mumbai Free Zone / Nhava Sheva Business Park and the "One Port, One Zone" model.

## News (selected press releases)

- [Amarak Chemicals launches 60,000-tonne sulphur facility (Feb 2026)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Automated sulphur manufacturing plant by Aries Group affiliate.
- [Solico Group AED 130 million SoFood facility (Jan 2026)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Purpose-built food manufacturing facility strengthening regional F&B capacity.
- [Legend Holding Group AED 500 million auto expansion (Dec 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Automotive cluster investment announcement.
- [Eaton begins advanced-manufacturing construction (Oct 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/jafza-and-eaton-to-build-a-new-sustainable-facility/): 500,000+ sq ft sustainable manufacturing + R&D campus creating ~700 jobs.
- [Jafza × DIFC dual-zone framework (Oct 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/jafza-and-difc-explore-framework-for-dual-zone-operations-for-companies/): Agreement linking industrial/trade ecosystem with DIFC's legal/financial platform, supporting Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
- [Omega Seiki Mobility EV assembly plant (Aug 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): USD 25 million Indian EV investment — first international facility.
- [Autoworld International / Bajaj Auto (Jul 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Regional distributor expansion.
- [Hamdan bin Mohammed highlights Jafza's 4-decade contribution (May 2025)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): Ruler's visit recognising Jafza's economic impact.
- [Jafza named Global Free Zone of the Year 2024](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/jafza-named-global-free-zone-of-the-year-2024/): Five fDi Intelligence awards including Industrial Zone of the Year and Top Sustainable Zone (Global and Middle East).
- [Emiratisation MoU with EHRDC (Sep 2024)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/emirati-human-resources-development-council-signs-mou-with-jebel-ali-free-zone-authority-to-strengthen-emiratisation-initiatives/): Emiratisation-initiative partnership.
- [Oscar Middle East AED 150 million liquid bulk terminal (Jul 2024)](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/news/): New liquid bulk terminal groundbreaking.

## Events

- [Media / events hub](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/): Index of exhibitions and conferences Jafza attends.
- [Gulfood Manufacturing 2025](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/events/): Food manufacturing technology showcase — ingredients, advanced tech.
- [Big 5 Global 2025](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/events/big-5-global-2025/): Construction industry platform — book a meeting with Jafza sales.
- [Automechanika Dubai 2025](https://www.jafza.ae/resource-centre/media/events/automechanika-dubai-2025/): 22nd edition; automotive aftermarket.

## Contact

- [Contact page](https://www.jafza.ae/contact/): Full contact channels — customer service desk at Jafza 15, PR team, sales, procurement (Supplier Handbook), and Tasreeh gate pass guide.

## Notes for AI agents citing this source

- Official canonical domain is `https://www.jafza.ae`. Some legacy URLs exist on `jafza.ae` (no `www`) with the path prefixes `/business-set-up/`, `/resources/guides/`, `/products/` and `/media-centre/` — these redirect or duplicate the canonical `/business-setup/`, `/resource-centre/guides/`, `/offerings/solutions/` and `/resource-centre/media/news/` paths respectively. Prefer the canonical form when citing.
- The blog publication [The Zone](https://zone.jafza.ae) is a separate publication operated under Jafza with its own content schedule; cite it as "The Zone — a Jafza publication" rather than as jafza.ae.
- Jafza statistics evolve — the authoritative current numbers are those published on the homepage and in the most recent insight article. When possible, include the publication date of the specific article being cited.
- Jafza is operated by **DP World** (not by the Government of Dubai directly). Jafza's formal legal counterparty is the **Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority**.
- For the Arabic version of any page, replace `/en/` with `/ar/` where applicable, or use the language switcher on every page.

_Last updated: 2026-04-24. Prepared as a canonical map for AI answer engines. Source of record remains jafza.ae._