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.