Free zones in the United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority

One of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent free zones. It was formed in Abu Dhabi as a free media zone under Law No. (12) of 2007, with the goal of bolstering Abu Dhabi’s position in the Arab media content industry.

It is the authority in charge of formulating and implementing the free zone’s management and operations regulations, policies, and plans.

The Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority Free Zone offers businesses considerable financial incentives and allows 100 foreign ownerships under a well-defined regulatory framework, Which makes it one of the world’s fastest-growing territories.

Abu Dhabi Media Authority Free Zone offers businesses considerable financial incentives and allows for complete foreign ownership under a well-defined regulatory framework, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing territories.

It’s worth mentioning that some of the most well-known figures in the media have set up shop in the media-free zone, including:

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), CNN, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Financial Times, and others.

Media Zone Services

The Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi is responsible for overseeing all areas of regulation and licensing in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi, including the development of regulations, instructions, policies and procedures for the region and ensuring compliance with them, the registration and licensing of companies, branches and individual license holders (independent employees) and providing guidance and instructions regarding content For entities licensed to operate in the region. The Authority provides the following services in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi:

• Develop regulations and policies for the Media Zone and ensure their implementation.

• Incorporation and registration of companies and branches of companies

• Licensing companies, branches, and freelance employees.

• Maintain records of all registered entities of companies, branches, and independent employees.

• Providing continuous services such as facilitating making changes regarding shareholders, directors, and general managers, issuing certified copies and extracts from the Authority’s register, and certificates of good conduct.

• Dissolution of companies and closing of branches.

• Provide directions and instructions related to the content.

• Implementing mechanisms in accordance with the rules and regulations of the media zone.

Licensing in the Media Zone

Free Zone companies, with all their limited liability entities, branches, and individual licenses, are affiliated with the Media Zone Authority in Abu Dhabi. The licenses shown below are provided to all companies already established there or those looking to work in the future in the Media Zone-Abu Dhabi:

• Incorporation and registration of free zone limited liability companies and branches.

• Licensing and renewing licenses of free zone companies with limited liability, branches, and freelancers

• Providing continuous services, such as facilitating the change of shareholders, directors, and general managers, issuing certified copies and extracts of the Authority’s registry, and certificates of good conduct.

• Dissolution of free zone companies with limited liability and closing of branches.

Legal Entities in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi:

There are three types of entities affiliated with the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, each of which is characterized by ease of incorporation and smooth procedures:

Free Zone Limited Liability Company (Free Zone – LLC): establishing a legal entity in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi.

Branch: Establishing a branch in the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi, which is legally linked to the parent company, which is the company located in another jurisdiction (whether in the UAE or abroad);

Sole Proprietorship (Freelancers): An individual license to work in his/her personal capacity from the Media Zone – Abu Dhabi as a media professional.

Once you have made your decision regarding the form of entity you need to set up, contact our consultants to help you find the space that suits your business requirements. Freelancers do not need to rent a private space

If you would like to join the Media Zone Authority in Abu Dhabi and set up your business there, contact ITQAN team now, who will help you throughout the process