Dubai says 163 free zone firms given permission to operate onshore

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) said on Sunday it had given permission for 163 free zone companies to operate onshore in the emirate.

The announcement follows reports earlier in the day that Abu Dhabi would allow free zone companies to obtain a licence to operate onshore for the first time.

Read: Abu Dhabi introduces dual licensing for onshore, free zone firms

The DED said its approvals followed the signing of a deal with Dubai Free Zones Council earlier this year to support businesses.

Nearly 34,780 firms are expected to benefit from the arrangement.

The organisation said companies can apply for a permit by producing a no-objection certificate from their free zone authority.

The service covered by the permit must not be subject to any other regular in the emirate.

The DED said it also launched a blockhain business registry with Dubai Silicon Oasis to speed up licensing.

Firms not covered by the deal can register manually through approved service centres.