JAFZA

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), established in 1985 and operated by DP World, is the UAE's first and largest free zone — 9,500+ companies on a 57 km2 site adjacent to Jebel Ali Port. It is the country's default home for heavy industry, manufacturing, port-dependent trading, and large-scale logistics, with a separate JAFZA Offshore regime for asset and IP holding.

A direct comparison of the UAE's seven most-used free zones — from DMCC's commodities cluster to ADGM's English common-law financial centre. Speciality, regulator, cost tier, and when to use each, plus how free zones now sit alongside the post-2021 mainland 100% ownership reform.