Established in the year 1999 in the heart of New Dubai, Dubai Internet City (DIC) free zone is the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) business park in the entire Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA). DIC is the typical provider of a tactical and economic platform for ICT companies which are trying to find their share in the market, and with the introduction of “in5 system” in 2013 for tech start-ups in Dubai and new entrepreneurs, it has witnessed a great boom. Located 25 kilometers from Dubai, the free zone is strategically great for attracting dynamic IT international community to set up their operations in DIC.

With great facilities and world-class infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, flexible legal structure and an affable ecosystem for global and regional companies and entrepreneurs to set up their IT firms in the UAE, DIC is a domicile for many global ICT companies, including Microsoft, Oracle, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens, Canon, Logica, Sony Ericsson, Schlumberger, Cisco, as well as many of the small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.

Why Dubai Internet City (DIC) for Business Setup?

Dubai Internet City is one among the three initiatives by Dubai government to make it the global hub for knowledge and innovation, the other two being Knowledge Village and Dubai Media City.

DIC is the perfect place for IT business setup as it offers the best technology start-up ecosystem and has all the elements of the ICT value chain. Robust IT infrastructure, an extensive talent pool of multi-lingual & skilled staff, tranquil landscape, state-of-the-art offices, excellent retail services, residences & hotels, and 24-hour security ensures that this IT free zone is the strategic base for over 2 billion IT people around the world contributing towards a GDP of $6.7 trillion. The benefits of setting up a business in this Dubai free zone are:

100% exemption from personal and corporate income taxes for 50 years

100% exemption from customs duty

100% foreign ownership

100% repatriation of profits

Dynamic international community

Opportunities for business interaction, networking and market development

Communications infrastructure based on next-generation technologies

Digital voice and high-speed data services offered at competitive rates

World’s largest commercial IP telephony network

Reasonable operating costs

Pre-existing infrastructure, business conference facilities, and commercial office setup apt for technology companies

Presence of star hotels, and retail chains, 24-hour medical help and security and access to advanced fitness, banking, and ATM facilities

Types of Legal Entities in DIC

Dubai Internet City is isolated from mainland UAE due to which the companies set up in DIC are not allowed to do business outside the free zone, although companies have been provided with sufficient amenities to start their venture in DIC. The following entities can be legally registered in DIC:

Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

Branch of a UAE Company

Branch of a Foreign Company

Business Licenses in Dubai Internet City

Software License

Telecommunication and Network

E-Commerce

IT Service

Internet and Multimedia