Corporate

Free Zone Businesses

Free zones are designated areas across the UAE that are designed to serve foreign investors in setting up their business, obtaining residency visas and generally to support their business growth.

There are many general and specialised zones from financial services, logistics, media, energy and many others.

Special Purpose Vehicles

An SPV can be registered for many passive activity purposes, including:

• Proprietary Asset Management
• Holding
• Intellectual Property
• Real Estate
• Aircraft
• Yachts
• Digital + other asset classes

Typically, an SPV is used for holding shares, securitizing assets, managing intellectual property, or engaging in transactions like real estate investments or securitization of loans.

Foundations

A Foundation in the UAE is a legal structure that combines elements of both a trust and a company.

It is an independent legal entity, established by a Founder to serve a specific beneficial purpose, without engaging in commercial activities.

It has its own legal personality, allowing it to hold assets, enter into contracts, and manage affairs independently from its Founder.

This setup is particularly useful for wealth management, succession planning, asset protection, and tax planning.

Key Benefits of UAE Structures

• Tax Efficiency: Zero to Nine percent tax rate on profits, capital gains, and dividends, which can be advantageous for investors. Entities can apply for a tax residency certificate to benefit from the UAE's double tax treaty network.

• Asset Protection: Entities have separate legal status, the assets held within the entity are protected from the liabilities of the parent company or other related entities. This structure is beneficial for risk management, especially in high-risk ventures or projects.

• Regulatory Environment: Flexible regulatory framework for international investors. This includes access to independent courts for dispute resolution, enhancing legal certainty.

• Ease of Incorporation: The process to establish is digital, fast, and cost-effective, with low minimum share capital requirement, no need for physical office space, and straightforward reporting obligations.

• Global Connectivity: Strategic access to both regional and international markets, enhancing the global reach for businesses.

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