Compare Meydan Free Zone 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.
Meydan Free Zone vs Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park for General Trading & Import/Export: Meydan Free Zone starts at AED 12,500 (95% 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 12,500 | 2-3 days | Moderate | Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai | |
| AED 5,510 | 5-10 days | Moderate | R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships |
Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai
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.
Meydan's general trading licence includes over 3,000 pre-approved activities, letting traders pivot between product categories without filing amendment applications — a flexibility rarely available at this price point.
April 2025: Fawri License launched — 60-minute LLC setup
2024-2025: Expanded activities from 1,500 to 2,500+
March 2025: Mainland branch access via Resolution No. 11 of 2025
MeydanPay launched — instant IBAN issuance
Company setup in Meydan Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year.
Meydan Free Zone processes company registrations in 2-3 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 95%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including Meydan Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
Meydan Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose Meydan Free Zone if: Tech startups, e-commerce, and service companies wanting fast setup in Dubai. Choose Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park if: R&D and innovation, technology transfer, university partnerships.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
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