Compare Dubai Production City and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for General Trading & Import/Export setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
Dubai Production City vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for General Trading & Import/Export: Dubai Production City starts at AED 36,540 (86% bank approval) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park at AED 5,510 (85%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 36,540 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Publishing, printing, packaging and media production | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Publishing, printing, packaging and media production
General trading is one of the most popular free zone activities and allows import, export, and distribution of a wide range of goods. Certain restricted items such as pharmaceuticals, weapons, and food products require additional approvals from relevant UAE federal authorities. The trade license must list the specific commodity groups the business intends to trade.
General trading qualifies for the 0% free zone rate on qualifying income, provided the goods are not sold to the UAE mainland without appropriate customs clearance. VAT at 5% applies to domestic supplies; re-exports from designated zones are zero-rated.
Trading companies should expect thorough KYC checks, especially for cross-border transactions. Letters of credit and trade finance facilities require established banking relationships. Banks will request trade references and may ask for evidence of existing supplier or buyer contracts.
February 2026: UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism updated the official DPC free-zone profile
September 2025: Updated pricing commentary circulated by consultancies aligned to DDA segment fee tiers
January 2021: DDA Decision No. (1) of 2021 published DPC licence segment fee table
Company setup in Dubai Production City starts from AED 36,540 per year.
Dubai Production City processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 86%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Dubai Production City allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Dubai Production City does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Dubai Production City if: Publishing, printing, packaging and media production. Choose Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if: R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
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