Located in the heart of the city, Dubai Design District was launched in the year 2013 by the UAE’s Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The vision behind launching the Dubai Design District free zone was to build a tailor-made design hub that would foster emerging local talent and provide a home for creative thinkers. It is a global design and fashion hub and taps into the huge potential of the luxury fashion and interior design industry. Also known as D3, the free zone is home to companies large and small, from local boutique design studios to prestigious global fashion houses. The market plays a key role in the popularity of D3, with the fashion and design industries booming in the region. As for its geographical location, the Design District Dubai is next to the Business Bay area of Dubai in the centre of the city, close to the Dubai Mall, hence very strategically placed.

The Dubai Design District (D3) is regulated by Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, an independent regulatory platform. This free zone is certainly a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that nourishes the up-and-coming brands in fashion, retail and luxury.

Benefits of Setting Up a Business in Dubai Design District Free Zone

0% personal income tax

0% corporate tax for the first 50 years

No restrictions on hiring foreign clients

No currency restrictions

No limit on profits and capital repatriation

Ideal for start-ups

Simple laws and legal framework

Special licensing for design and fashion with freelance permits for artists and designers

Designers from all over the world located in one area, collaborating and creating promising opportunities for new talent

100% foreign ownership

Benefits of Setting Up a business in DCCA

100% foreign ownership

A 50-year exemption from personal income and corporate taxes

Exemption from customs duty

Full repatriation of capital and profits

Convenient proximity to Dubai’s world-class airport, seaports, and major motorways

Easy access to high-end residential accommodation

Customized real-estate options to suit your organizational needs

Types of Entities in Dubai Design District Free Zone

Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Branch Office of a UAE Company

Branch Office of a Foreign Company

Types of Licenses Available in Dubai Design District Free Zone

Commercial License

Manufacturing License