A Bird’s Eye View on Dubai CommerCity Free Zone: Dubai CommerCity Free Zone is the pioneer and leading freezone which is devoted to e-commerce in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. It is a joint venture between Wasl Asset Management (WAM) Group and the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA). It provides a unique e-commerce ecosystem to global and regional brands. It can be termed as an ideal regional hub for e-commerce businesses. The investment put in this project is around AED 3.2 billion ($ 1 Billion), which is spread over an area of 2.1 million square feet approximately and is situated in the Umm Ramool area in Dubai. It is said that Dubai CommerCity will also offer storage options and a pay-as-you-go payment model to ensure ‘cost efficiency’ and ‘flexibility’. It has leased 51 percent of the logistics warehouses to companies operating across IT, fashion, jewellery and electronics. In a gist – It is enabling the “e” in commerce.   Dubai CommerCity is divided into three clusters, each with its own innovative design namely: –

Cluster	What is it all about?
Business Cluster	It is home to modern landscaped buildings with Grade A premium offices
Logistics Cluster	It consists of state-of-the-art dedicated and multi-client warehouse units with scalable pay-as-you-go pricing models
Social Cluster	It houses restaurants, cafes, exhibition halls and events.

  What are the types of licenses available for business set up in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone? Following are the available license categories in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone:

License Type	What it allows?
Trade License	Allows for import, export, re-export, distribution and storage.
Service License	Is for service-based businesses.
Industrial License	Allows for light manufacturing, assembly and packaging.
E- Commerce License	Allows trading goods and services online.
General License	Permits general trading, import, export, storage and distribution.
Dual License with DED	This license allows trading without physical premises on the mainland.

  What are the company types and what is the procedure for setting up a business and obtaining a license in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone? Company Types:

Company Type	Particulars
Freezone Company (FZCO)	Dubai CommerCity’s regulations require a minimum of one (1) shareholder and a maximum of 50 to form a company.
	The minimum share capital for a Dubai CommerCity company is AED 1,000.
PLC	This type of entity is suited to a company that wishes to list and/or offer its shares (IPO) on a securities market.
Branch Office	The branch office of an existing company
	No share capital required

  Steps to set up a business in Dubai Commercity Free Zone:

Steps	Particulars
Step 1	Choosing the business activity
	a) Portal
	b) E-commerce
	c) Commercial or service
Step 2	Choosing the license type
Step 3	Choosing the company type
Step 4	Choosing the space
	a) Office space
	b) Ware housing and industrial space
	c) Cold storage

  Steps to obtain a license in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone:

S.no	Particulars
1	Deciding on the legal structure
2	Deciding on the location of getting the license
3	Deciding on the Trade name
4	Applying for the license by paying the fees for obtaining license, registering trade name and business set up
5	Obtaining the initial certificates
6	Drafting Memorandum of association
	Drafting local service agent
	Registering an office in Dubai CommerCity
	Completing the import/export requirements
	Creating a bank account

  Points on renewal of Dubai CommerCity Free Zone License done

• Cost of Renewal is less expensive than that of cost of incorporation.
• Audited financials on annual basis are to be submitted.
• Payment for renewal along with the signed lease agreement for the next year to be submitted.

  What is the procedure for liquidating a business in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone? Before Liquidation following steps to be accomplished:

S.no	Particulars
1	Cancellation of the visas
2	Termination of lease agreement
3	Closure of the bank account
4	Clearance from Customs in case you had a trading activity in the license

  What are the Competitive advantages of setting up business in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone?

• The free zone provides opportunities for manufacturers, distributors and global e-retailers
• No taxes on personal income or capital gains
• No corporate taxes
• No duties on import or export of goods
• Provision of 100% foreign ownership
• 100% repatriation of capital and profits
• It’s a gateway to regional markets
• It offers world class infrastructure

  Is there any requirement for a Free Zone enterprise to appoint Auditors and submit an Annual Financial statement? Yes. Each Free Zone Enterprise must appoint an independent auditor that is registered and licensed in the UAE. Audited financial statements must be submitted annually.  

Corporate tax applicability to the companies in Dubai CommerCity Free Zone:

Corporate tax law is going to be applicable for all the companies registered in UAE including the free zones in UAE. The UAE Corporate tax is going to be effective for the financial year beginning on or after 1 June 2023 for the businesses in UAE. Corporate tax will be levied at zero percent on the taxable income (adjusted