Media entrepreneurs and professionals who want to have 100 per cent ownership and excellent infrastructure can opt for a license in one of the many free zones of UAE. Since the media is a regulated sector in the UAE, the free zones have proven to be the most ideal option for business setup in the UAE. For instance, approval from the National Media Council (NMC) is mandatory for obtaining a media license in the UAE. The cost for the NMC license is included in some of the free zone business packages and it leads to faster license approval. This saves the investors from running around bureaucrats for license approval. Also, the media-specific free zones in the UAE are designed to encourage foreign investment with easier start-up processes, labour and immigration procedures, 100 per cent ownership for all nationalities and other legal services. Many international media firms such as BBC, CNN and their branches operate from free zones in the UAE. Let’s have a look at each of these free zones.
Sharjah Media City
Sharjah media city (SHAMS) offers the cheapest business license in the UAE for media entrepreneurs and professionals. The license package is available from AED 5750 with no visas. It is a Service License with a wide range of media-related activities. Individual media professionals can also avail a freelance package from SHAMS at the same cost without any visa. UAE business setup consultants can help you choose the right activities and clear the licensing procedures.
Ajman Media City Free Zone
Ajman Media City Free Zone offers a wide range of business setup packages for investors starting from AED 8500. This package, however, doesn’t provide a visa for the entrepreneurs. Apart from this, the free zone offers a social media influencer package at a rate of AED 2500. The cost of business setup packages in Ajman Media City may vary based on the number of visas, activities and office space requirements.
TwoFour54 Abu Dhabi
Twofour54 free zone provides the investors with a golden opportunity to set up a media business in Abu Dhabi, which is the capital city of the UAE. Established in 2008 with an ambitious vision of making Abu Dhabi a global hub for media businesses, Twofour54 is often cited as the ideal ecosystem for film production, publishing, broadcasting, and other media activities. Twofour54 also provides a license for online game development activities. The process of business setup in Twofour54 offer you the unmissable chance to work with some of the biggest names in the media and publishing industry such as the BBC, Financial Times, National Geographic, etc.
Dubai Media City
If you are ready to spend a little more on the costs to enjoy exemplary infrastructure and services, the prospect of a business setup in Dubai Media City can be the perfect fit for you. The rise of Media City to the stature of the most in-demand media hub in the Middle East since its launch in 2001 has been phenomenal.
The free zone is located strategically at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, which will give the investors the much-desired location benefit. Advanced infrastructure and a supportive environment are additional perks that media-related businesses can obtain by setting up a business in Dubai Media City. The free zone has attracted some of the biggest names in the media sector during its 20 years of service such as CNN, MBC, CNBC Arabia etc.
RAKEZ Media Zone
If you wish to open a media company in an emirate where the cost of living is low, then Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) should get the top bill. The free zone offers a wide variety of media activities including Media production, Music and TV entertainment, TV and Radio Broadcasting, event management, animation, publishing, etc. Business set up in RAKEZ offers media investors
access to the top-class infrastructure and office spaces of various sizes and costs.
Creative City Fujairah
Creative City free zone is located in the beautiful emirate of Fujairah, which is known as the lungs of the UAE. The free zone stands as the best option for media entrepreneurs due to the cost-effective lifestyle and infrastructure in the emirate. The media activities in Creative City cover sub-sectors including tv broadcasting, audio and video installation, radio broadcasting, publishing, music publishing etc. Constructed on an area of around 40,000 sq. meters, the Free Zone provides the investors with world-class facilities and infrastructure that contributes to the huge demand for business setup in Fujairah Creative City Free Zone.
Consult with the Best Business Setup Consultants in the UAE
Each free zone in the UAE comes with its features, packages and activities. This makes it difficult for foreign investors to choose the right zone for business setup in the UAE. However, business setup consultants in the UAE such as Jitendra Business Consultants (JBC) can help you select the right free zone and make the process easier for you. JBC has a team of expert company formation specialists who take care of all the documentation with utmost dedication. Also, JBC provides specialised PRO services in the UAE which makes visa processing quick and easy. With JBC’s able support the investors can achieve their business goals without much perspiration.