The government of Dubai prepares to open a new free trade zone for e-commerce named “Dubai CommerCity,” which will provide a base for online retailers. Dubai CommerCity is the first and only free zone dedicated to the growing e-commerce market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It is an investment of AED 3.2 billion spread over an area of approximately 2.1 million square feet. Dubai CommerCity provides a unique e-commerce ecosystem to global and regional brands to help them set up and operate their e-commerce business in the MENA region. The site is a joint venture between two state-owned enterprises — the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) and property firm Wasl.
Dubai CommerCity has exceptional competitive advantages that make it one of the most attractive free zones for foreign direct investments:
It serves as a unique gateway for Dubai and the UAE to access a promising international economic sector. It provides direct access for e-commerce stakeholders in the MENA and South Asia regions.
The new free zone is strategically located near the Dubai International Airport and is well-connected to major local and national highways.
It offers world-class cargo and logistics services and an integrated and sophisticated infrastructure with easy access to land and seaports, enabling swift and efficient distribution and delivery of services that are essential to competing in the world of e-commerce as well as minimizing supply chain costs.
Opening a company in any of the free zones in the UAE has its own benefits. CommerCity being a free zone offers tax incentives, such as no corporate or income tax, has fast and efficient business set-up solutions, and seamless customer experience throughout the entire customer journey and across all touchpoints. It also has investment incentives like 100% foreign company ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, and no currency restrictions
The e-commerce based free zone is designed with a modern and innovative approach. The masterplan consists of three clusters which aim to strategically achieve environmental and investment sustainability. Dubai CommerCity has implemented state-of-the-art technologies to provide investors with a smart & quality-focused business ecosystem. The three clusters are namely:
Dubai CommerCity (DCC) will be the ideal regional hub for e-commerce businesses looking to offer services in the Middle East and beyond, given its strategic location close to Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport. It will optimize the experience of foreign investors by offering solutions that ensure ease of doing business.
DCC promises efficient customs procedures and a full-service one-stop shop for regulatory bodies to facilitate trade. It offers smart infrastructure and world-class services for the e-commerce industry players attracting the right pool of foreign direct investors to benefit from DCC’s unique value proposition and its top-notch ecosystem. To facilitate e-commerce business, Dubai CommerCity has fostered tie-ups with third-party service providers to ensure all the elements of the ecosystem are provided for the investors.