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Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
What is Dubai's ‘ground-breaking' One Freezone Passport?
The Dubai Free Zones Council recently announced the successful implementation of the One Freezone Passport, an initiative that provides businesses with access to multiple free zones while maintaining a single licence. In other words, companies licensed at one free zone can benefit from facilities located in other free zones across the emirate without requiring additional licensing. While the statement did not specify what facilities this would include, it likely refers to office space, warehousing, HR services, and even R&D or legal support. Louis Vuitton becomes first member under Dubai's 'One Freezone Passport' initiative In a statement, the Council described the Passport as a 'ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across Dubai's free zones.' It is worth noting that global luxury brand Louis Vuitton has become the first company to leverage this initiative through the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTC), which operates the Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone. It took the company five days to complete the process. Louis Vuitton will maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone while establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of the Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone. Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said that 'by enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination.' So what does this mean for businesses? According to the government, companies can expand their operational footprint through a streamlined and fast-paced process. The programme could also encourage cross-sector collaboration across Dubai. 'The One Freezone Passport initiative fundamentally transforms Dubai's business landscape by allowing companies to operate across all 30-plus free zones with a single license,' Bas Kooijman, CEO of asset management firm DHF Capital SA, told Business Recorder. 'For companies, this dismantles operational silos and offers significant advantages. It drastically cuts administrative and legal costs by eliminating redundant license fees and accelerates expansion time from months to as little as five days. Strategically, businesses can now adopt efficient 'hub-and-spoke' models, combining the specialized strengths of different zones, like JAFZA's logistics and DWTC's commercial prestige, under one corporate umbrella,' he added. 'For the wider Dubai economy, the Passport is a strategic tool aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). By creating a unified, frictionless ecosystem, it enhances Dubai's global competitiveness against hubs like Singapore and London,' he said. He explained that the initiative is designed to attract higher-value foreign direct investment (FDI) by enabling complex multinational operations to be managed seamlessly from the emirate. 'This move positions Dubai at the forefront of the global value chain, fostering long-term economic growth and solidifying its position as a premier international business destination.' The idea is to strengthen the emirate's position as a global economic hub while enhancing operational efficiency for businesses. Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC, said the programme enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones, 'contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.' The DWTC Free Zone is home to global companies, innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 diverse sectors. It is one of over 30 specialized free zones in Dubai, each designed to support specific industries such as technology, media, finance, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. These zones are governed by their own regulatory frameworks and offer 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of profits, and exemption from corporate taxes and import/export duties. Notable examples include Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the world's largest free zone for commodities trade; Dubai Internet City, a tech and digital innovation hub; and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) — a leading financial services jurisdiction in the region. These free zones have been pivotal in attracting international companies and startups by offering streamlined setup processes, modern infrastructure, and strategic access to global markets. Each has its own special facilities and infrastructure. For instance, DIFC has financial services frameworks, including banking, fintech support, and legal arbitration facilities. Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Media City has creative hubs for content creators, designers, and fashion brands while Dubai Healthcare City, has clinics, labs, and academic medical centers. The One Freezone Passport is one of many initiatives the government is implementing to encourage businesses in these zones. For instance, previously a company in the free zone could operate only within the zone and outside the UAE. It could not conduct its operation in a non-free zone in the UAE. However, back in March, the emirate announced new rules according to which any company or institution licensed by a free zone relevant authority may operate outside the free zone and within Dubai, as long as it obtains the necessary licences or permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Louis Vuitton becomes first member under Dubai's ‘One Freezone Passport' initiative
Global luxury brand Louis Vuitton has become the first company to leverage Dubai's 'One Freezone Passport' - an initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across the city's free zones. The initiative provides businesses with 'seamless access to multiple free zones while maintaining a single licence,' it was announced in a statement. Louis Vuitton will now maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone while establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of the Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone. 'This development highlights the programme's effectiveness in streamlining business expansion across Dubai's economic zones,' the government said. 'The streamlined free zone licence expansion process, completed in just five days, showcases Dubai's efficiency in business setup and operational facilitation,' it added. 'The swift and successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton through this program exemplifies the efficiency and attractiveness of Dubai's regulatory framework for international businesses.', said Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council. 'By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination,' he added. Meanwhile Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC, said the successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton 'demonstrates both the calibre of businesses Dubai continues to attract and our commitment to fostering an efficient business environment.' 'The company's decision to expand operations into DWTC Free Zone from JAFZA reinforces international confidence in Dubai's business ecosystem.' He explained that the programme enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones as it lets companies expand their operational footprint through a 'streamlined and fast-paced process.' The DWTC Free Zone is home to global companies, SMEs innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 sectors.
Gulf Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
New initiative to ease doing business in Dubai's free zone
The Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC), today announced the successful implementation of the One Freezone Passport, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across Dubai's free zones. The initiative provides businesses with seamless access to multiple free zones while maintaining a single licence. This milestone underscores Dubai's commitment to fostering an agile and investor-friendly business environment, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Building on this momentum, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), which operates Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone (DWTC Free Zone), has welcomed the global luxury brand Louis Vuitton as the first company to leverage this pioneering initiative. The global luxury leader will now maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) while establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of DWTC Free Zone. This development highlights the programme's effectiveness in streamlining business expansion across Dubai's economic zones. The streamlined free zone licence expansion process, completed in just five days, showcases Dubai's unparalleled efficiency in business setup and operational facilitation. This achievement aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33's objectives of establishing Dubai as a premier global destination for business setup and expansion. Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said, 'The One Freezone Passport is a transformative initiative that cements Dubai's position as a global economic powerhouse. By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination. The swift and successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton through this program exemplifies the efficiency and attractiveness of Dubai's regulatory framework for international businesses.' Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC, said, 'The successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton, one of the world's most prestigious luxury brands, through the citywide One Freezone Passport initiative demonstrates both the calibre of businesses Dubai continues to attract and our commitment to fostering an efficient business environment. The company's decision to expand operations into DWTC Free Zone from JAFZA reinforces international confidence in Dubai's business ecosystem. This innovative programme from Dubai Free Zones Council enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones, actively contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.' Amna Al Ali. Vice President, Licensing and Registration at Jebel Ali Free Zones, reconfirmed that the One Freezone Passport initiative represents a transformative approach to free zones operations in Dubai. The programme enables companies licensed at a single free zone to benefit from facilities located in other free zones across the emirate without requiring additional licensing. This innovative framework supports Dubai's vision by allowing companies to expand their operational footprint through a streamlined and fast-paced process, enhancing the emirate's competitive advantage in the global business landscape. The successful implementation of Louis Vuitton's expansion reinforces DWTC Free Zone's position as a catalyst for business growth and innovation in Dubai. The initiative builds on Dubai's successful track record of implementing forward-thinking programmes that drive economic growth, strengthening the emirate's position as a global economic hub while enhancing operational efficiency for international businesses. Through these combined efforts, Dubai continues to attract and retain global business leaders across various sectors, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for international commerce. The DWTC Free Zone offers a competitive and robust ecosystem, set within a regulated environment. Home to global companies, SMEs innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 diverse sectors, the DWTCA Free Zone offers a dynamic and business-friendly environment in the heart of the city with a key focus on offering tailor-made services to meet wide-ranging tenant requirements. WAM
Dubai Eye
7 days ago
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai launches initiative to ease business access to multiple freezones
Dubai on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at providing businesses with seamless access to multiple free zones, while maintaining a single license, as the city aims to widen its investor-friendly business environment. A French luxury fashion brand was the first to leverage the "One Freezone Passport" initiative and will now maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) while establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of DWTC Free Zone. The streamlined free zone licence expansion process was completed in five days. The programme enables companies licensed at a single free zone to benefit from facilities located in other free zones across the emirate without requiring additional licensing. Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said, 'The One Freezone Passport is a transformative initiative that cements Dubai's position as a global economic powerhouse. By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination." Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), said, ' This innovative programme from Dubai Free Zones Council enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones, actively contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.' Amna Al Ali. Vice President, Licensing and Registration at Jebel Ali Free Zones, said the One Freezone Passport initiative represents a transformative approach to free zones operations in Dubai. The DWTC Free Zone offers a competitive and robust ecosystem, set within a regulated environment. Home to global companies, SMEs innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 diverse sectors, the DWTCA Free Zone offers a dynamic and business-friendly environment in the heart of the city with a key focus on offering tailor-made services to meet wide-ranging tenant requirements.
Arabian Business
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai announces new ‘One Freezone Passport' system
The Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) has announced the implementation of the One Freezone Passport, an initiative designed to enhance the ease of doing business across the emirate's free zones. The programme provides businesses with access to multiple free zones whilst maintaining a single licence, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. Louis Vuitton expands Dubai operations using new One Freezone Passport system Louis Vuitton has become the first company to utilise this initiative, according to Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), which operates Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone (DWTC Free Zone). The luxury brand will maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) whilst establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of DWTC Free Zone. The free zone licence expansion process was completed in five days. This development aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 's objectives of establishing the city as a destination for business setup and expansion. Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said: 'The One Freezone Passport is a transformative initiative that cements Dubai's position as a global economic powerhouse. By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination. The swift and successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton through this program exemplifies the efficiency and attractiveness of Dubai's regulatory framework for international businesses.' Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC, added: 'The successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton, one of the world's most prestigious luxury brands, through the citywide One Freezone Passport initiative demonstrates both the calibre of businesses Dubai continues to attract and our commitment to fostering an efficient business environment. 'The company's decision to expand operations into DWTC Free Zone from JAFZA reinforces international confidence in Dubai's business ecosystem. This innovative programme from Dubai Free Zones Council enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones, actively contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.' The implementation of Louis Vuitton's expansion reinforces DWTC Free Zone's position as a catalyst for business growth and innovation in the emirate. The initiative builds on the city's track record of implementing programmes that drive economic growth, strengthening the emirate's position as a hub whilst enhancing operational efficiency for international businesses. The DWTC Free Zone offers an ecosystem within a regulated environment. Home to companies, SMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 sectors, the DWTCA Free Zone offers an environment in the heart of the city with a focus on offering services to meet tenant requirements.
