Introduction

Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is a small emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that is known for its beautiful beaches, lush mangroves, and traditional culture. UAQ is also home to a number of free zones, which are special economic zones that offer a number of benefits to businesses, including 100% foreign ownership, no income tax, and low import and export duties.

There are two main free zones in UAQ:

• Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQFTZ): UAQFTZ is a multi-purpose free zone that caters to a wide range of businesses, including trading, manufacturing, and services.
• Umm Al Quwain Marine Industrial Park (UAQ-MIP): UAQ-MIP is a specialized free zone for maritime and offshore businesses.

Both UAQFTZ and UAQ-MIP offer a number of advantages to manufacturers, but there are some key differences between the two zones.

Here is a comparison of UAQFTZ and UAQ-MIP:

Feature	UAQFTZ	UAQ-MIP
Type of free zone	Multi-purpose	Specialized for maritime and offshore businesses
Business activities	Wide range of businesses, including trading, manufacturing, and services	Maritime and offshore businesses
Proximity to major ports	Close to Port of UAQ	Direct access to Port of UAQ
Proximity to major cities	Close to Dubai and Sharjah	Close to Dubai and Sharjah
Infrastructure	Well-developed infrastructure with a variety of office and warehouse space available	Well-developed infrastructure with a variety of facilities for maritime and offshore businesses

Which free zone is best for manufacturers?

Both UAQFTZ and UAQ-MIP are good options for manufacturers. However, if you are looking for a free zone that is specifically designed for manufacturers and has direct access to a major port, then UAQ-MIP is the better option.

Here are some of the benefits of setting up a manufacturing business in UAQ-MIP:

• Direct access to Port of UAQ: UAQ-MIP has direct access to Port of UAQ, which is a major port in the UAE. This gives manufacturers easy access to global markets.
• Well-developed infrastructure: UAQ-MIP has a well-developed infrastructure with a variety of facilities for manufacturing businesses, including warehouses, factories, and workshops.
• Favorable government policies: The UAE government offers a number of favorable policies to manufacturers, such as tax exemptions and low import and export duties.
• Skilled workforce: The UAE has a large pool of skilled workers, which manufacturers can access to meet their staffing needs.

Conclusion

Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is a great place to set up a manufacturing business, especially for manufacturers who are looking for a free zone that offers a number of benefits, including 100% foreign ownership, no income tax, and low import and export duties.

The best free zone for manufacturers in UAQ is UAQ-MIP. UAQ-MIP is a specialized free zone for maritime and offshore businesses, but it also caters to manufacturing businesses. UAQ-MIP has direct access to Port of UAQ, which is a major port in the UAE. This gives manufacturers easy access to global markets. UAQ-MIP also has a well-developed infrastructure with a variety of facilities for manufacturing businesses.