KEZAD: the integrated industrial & logistics zone next to Khalifa Port
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) is MENA's largest integrated economic zone. Licenses start from AED 5,500, the dual-license lets you operate in both free zone and Abu Dhabi mainland under one entity, and your warehouse sits minutes from Khalifa Port's deep-water terminals. Incorporation typically lands in 10 to 15 working days.
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Why KEZAD anchors Abu Dhabi's industrial map
KEZAD Group was launched in September 2022 by AD Ports Group, consolidating the legacy KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone, founded 2010) with ZonesCorp's specialised economic zones and KIZAD Communities into a single operator. The merger created 12 economic zones spanning 550 km², of which roughly 100 km² are designated free-zone areas.
Today KEZAD hosts 1,750+ tenants across 17 sectors, including heavy industry, polymers, steel, agro-food, automotive, logistics and pharma. It accounts for the majority of Abu Dhabi's industrial footprint and a significant share of the UAE's. For founders, the practical consequence is that KEZAD is not a generalist services zone. It is a serious industrial address with on-zone power, water, gas, port access and an active manufacturing ecosystem.
What you can run under a KEZAD license
KEZAD is structured around five operational clusters. Your activity mix decides which sub-zone, plot size and license you'll need.
Heavy industrial
Polymers, steel, aluminium, chemicals, building materials. Anchored by Borouge, Emirates Steel Arkan and the KEZAD Polymers Park cluster.
Light manufacturing
Assembly, packaging, electronics, plastics conversion, consumer goods. Move-in-ready units at KEZAD Logistics Park (KLP).
Logistics & port operations
Freight forwarding, 3PL, bonded warehousing, container handling. Direct access to Khalifa Port deep-water terminals.
Agro-food processing
Food production, cold storage, distribution, halal processing. Home to AGTHIA, Lulu Group and recent JBS-linked food assets.
Automotive & spare parts
Vehicle assembly, parts manufacturing, after-market distribution and regional service hubs. Pre-built workshops and yards available.
What you actually get with KEZAD
KEZAD's value sits in the bundle: low entry, port adjacency, AD Ports ecosystem, and the dual-license that very few UAE zones can match.
100% foreign ownership across all 12 zones.
100% repatriation of capital and profits.
Dual licensing: operate in free zone and Abu Dhabi mainland under one entity, no local sponsor.
Direct adjacency to Khalifa Port, one of the world's fastest-growing deep-water container ports.
Integration with the wider AD Ports Group ecosystem (terminals, ports, logistics, digital).
License pricing from AED 5,500, among the lowest entry tickets for an industrial-grade zone.
Move-in-ready warehouses at KEZAD Logistics Park (KLP) from AED 18,000/year.
Plots for heavy industry, light manufacturing and logistics across multiple sites.
Visa quota scales with workstation, office or warehouse footprint.
On-zone staff accommodation: 40+ complexes with 450,000+ beds for industrial workforces.
Pick the license that matches your operation
KEZAD issues four license families. For founders, three of them cover the vast majority of setups, and Industrial is the one that justifies choosing KEZAD over a Dubai generalist zone.
Most picked
Industrial
The reason most founders choose KEZAD over a Dubai zone.
- Import of raw material, manufacturing, processing
- Assembly, packaging, export of finished goods
- Eligible for plot allocation and pre-built warehouses
- Access to KEZAD Polymers Park & sector clusters
- Dual-license option for mainland distribution
Trading
For import, export and distribution operations.
- General trading and specialised trading
- Stocking, distribution and warehousing
- Port-adjacent bonded storage options
- Dual-license to sell into Abu Dhabi mainland
Service
For consulting, management and B2B services.
- Management, marketing and engineering consulting
- Technical and industrial services
- Workstation packages from AED 11,000 with 1 visa
- E-commerce license available as a variant
Notable industrial tenants at KEZAD
KEZAD's tenant book is dominated by global industrial and food-chain operators. Here are representative names anchoring the zone.
Petrochemical
Borouge
ADNOC-Borealis polyolefins joint venture. Anchor tenant of the KEZAD Polymers Park cluster.
Steel
Emirates Steel Arkan
The UAE's integrated steel and building-materials producer, headquartered on-zone.
Food
AGTHIA
Regional food and beverage group (Al Ain Water, Grand Mills). Major production base inside KEZAD.
Logistics
Tristar Group
Integrated liquid-logistics operator with port-adjacent storage and distribution.
Distribution
Lulu Group
Regional hypermarket and FMCG distribution leader. Central distribution and food-processing hub on-zone.
Maritime
Cosco Shipping
Global container line. Operates terminal capacity at adjacent Khalifa Port.
Food
JBS
World's largest protein producer. Acquired UAE processing capacity as part of its MENA expansion.
Industrial
Polysys
Specialty chemicals and polymer-systems manufacturer operating from the polymers cluster.
Multiple Abu Dhabi sites, anchored next to Khalifa Port
KEZAD's 12 zones span 550 km² across Abu Dhabi. The flagship sites sit between Abu Dhabi city and Dubai, adjacent to Khalifa Port, the UAE's fastest-growing deep-water container terminal.
- 5 min to Khalifa Port deep-water terminals
- 50 min to Abu Dhabi city centre
- 60 min to Dubai (via E11)
- 40 min to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Pre-built warehouses
300,000+ m² at KEZAD Logistics Park
Industrial plots
Heavy, light and logistics tiers
Worker housing
40+ complexes, 450,000+ beds on-zone
Utilities & power
On-zone gas, water and grid capacity
How we incorporate your KEZAD company in 10–15 working days
Six steps from first call to issued license. KEZAD's industrial bias means a few extra checks vs. a generalist Dubai zone. We handle them.
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Scope activities & sub-zone
We confirm your business model, then map it to the right KEZAD sub-zone (free zone vs. mainland zone), license family and facility tier.
Pick the legal form
FZ-LLC for free-zone setups, LLC for the dual-license / mainland variant, or branch of an existing company. Recommendation depends on shareholders and operations.
Reserve name & lock facility
We submit name approval and reserve your workstation, warehouse or plot. Visa quota is locked at this step.
KYC, NOCs & technical file
Passport, proof of address, bank reference. Industrial activities also require a short technical file: products, process, utilities, environmental notes.
Sign the MoA
Memorandum of Association signed electronically or in person at the KEZAD One-Stop-Shop, depending on license family.
Pay & receive license
Final invoice settled, KEZAD issues the trade license, establishment card and tenancy agreement.
Four realities first-time founders miss at KEZAD
Free zone vs. mainland sub-zones
KEZAD has both. About 100 km² is gazetted as free zone (eligible for 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment with substance). The rest is Abu Dhabi mainland and taxed under standard UAE rules. Pick deliberately. It changes your tax and customs profile.
Realistic lead time
Service/trading licenses land in 10–15 working days. Industrial setups with plot allocation, environmental and civil-defence approvals run 6 to 12 weeks. Residence visas add 2–3 weeks.
Corporate tax dual nature
In the free-zone sub-zones, qualifying income stays at 0% under the QFZP regime. In mainland sub-zones, the standard 9% rate applies above AED 375,000 of net profit. Audited accounts are required either way.
Dual licensing distinctive
KEZAD's dual license lets a free-zone company also hold an Abu Dhabi DED mainland license without a local sponsor, local service agent or separate mainland office. Rare in the UAE, and a real advantage if you sell into Abu Dhabi government or B2B mainland.
What's inside our KEZAD all-in-one package
One transparent fee covers KEZAD company formation, residence visa and UAE banking. Service/trading packages start from AED 18,500 with 1 visa included; industrial setups are quoted on facility size.
Company formation
- Trade name reservation
- License issuance (Industrial, Trading or Service)
- Sub-zone selection (free zone or mainland)
- Workstation, warehouse or plot tenancy
- Memorandum of Association drafting + signature
- Establishment card
- Corporate Tax registration & initial filing
- Dual-license add-on coordinated with Abu Dhabi DED
Residence visa
- Entry permit issuance
- Medical fitness test coordination
- Emirates ID application & biometrics
- Visa stamping inside passport
- Status change inside the UAE
- Valid 2 years, renewable
Banking
- Business and personal account introductions
- Document pack prepared to bank-ready standard
- Industrial-activity narrative drafted for compliance
- Follow-up support until account is opened
- Backup option with a UAE digital bank
DIY vs working with us
On your own
Compare 45+ providers
Rules, prices and procedures all over the place
Check trade-name availability
Submit the request and wait for approval
Fill admin forms & files
Errors = delays or fines
Gather supporting documents
Missing or incorrect = rejection or fines
Chase extra approvals
Miss one and you trigger penalties or delays
Shop prices and locations
Hidden costs likely
Handle the payments
Procedural errors = fines or delays
Run the visa process
Strict steps and timelines, fine risk
Shop UAE banks cold
High rejection risk
Track compliance yourself
VAT & renewals → penalties if missed
Time sink
Stress, errors, financial risk
Recommended
With us
An optimal structure
Tailored to your goals
Trade name reserved
Fast and approved
Dedicated personal support
By your side at every step
Compliant, validated file
Optimised to pass first time
Easier networking
Targeted introductions
Optimised investment
No unnecessary costs
End-to-end support
Fast and stress-free
Single point of contact
Clear, personalised follow-up
Bank account opening
Fast and simplified
Zero stress, total peace of mind
We look after everything
100% business focus
We handle the rest
Teams we've set up at KEZAD
"We were completely satisfied with Créer Société Dubaï. From the outset, we benefited from direct, clear, and highly professional support. We particularly appreciated the speed and efficiency of the process — we obtained our Emirates IDs and opened our bank accounts in just 13 days, which is remarkable. A special mention goes to Joïca, who was extremely kind, very attentive, and always available, even when we were still in France. She answered all our questions patiently and professionally, which made our experience very reassuring."
"When I decided to start my business in Dubai, my primary concern was finding trustworthy people capable of handling all the necessary steps professionally. Thanks to Ga Nui and Malik's support, I was able to move forward with confidence and dedicate all my energy to developing my business, without worrying about the administrative aspects. I wholeheartedly recommend Ga Nui and Malik for their professionalism, availability, and the quality of their support."
"Thank you for quick service! It was a pleasure to work with Malic, Ga Nui and Frank :) Definitely I will recommend you to anyone who wants to start a business in Dubai!"
KEZAD: frequently asked questions
Entry-level licenses start at AED 5,500. Total cost depends on license family, facility footprint and visa quota.
- Service/trading, no visa: from AED 5,500
- Workstation package, 1 visa: from AED 11,000
- Warehouse at KEZAD Logistics Park: from AED 18,000/year
- Industrial plot: priced per m² and sector
A KEZAD free-zone company can apply for a parallel Abu Dhabi DED mainland license without taking on a UAE local service agent, a local sponsor, or a separate mainland office. You operate in both jurisdictions under one entity.
It is genuinely distinctive. Most UAE free zones require you to incorporate a second company in the mainland to sell to non-free-zone clients. Branches of foreign companies are not eligible.
Both are port-adjacent industrial heavyweights:
- KEZAD: Abu Dhabi, next to Khalifa Port, lower entry cost, dual-licensing into Abu Dhabi mainland, MENA's largest integrated zone
- JAFZA: Dubai, next to Jebel Ali Port (still the larger throughput), higher entry cost, deeper trader ecosystem
For Abu Dhabi mainland exposure and lower setup cost, KEZAD wins. For pure Dubai-centric trading, JAFZA usually wins.
Khalifa Port is a deep-water, semi-automated container port operated by AD Ports Group, directly adjacent to KEZAD. For an industrial or trading tenant this means:
- Container moves from quay to your warehouse without leaving the AD Ports network
- Bonded storage and customs handled on-zone
- Capacity for the largest container vessels (no Suezmax-class restriction)
- Integration with KEZAD's rail and road links to the rest of the UAE and GCC
Both. KEZAD Group operates 12 economic zones across roughly 550 km². About 100 km² is gazetted as free-zone area (eligible for 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person treatment with substance). The rest is Abu Dhabi mainland, taxed at the standard 9% above AED 375,000 of net profit.
You pick the sub-zone that matches your model. The dual-license bridges both.
Service and trading setups are largely remote: name reservation, MoA, KYC and license issuance can be handled by us on your behalf in 10–15 working days. Industrial setups with plot allocation usually need at least one on-site visit to inspect the facility and sign the tenancy.
You will need to travel for the residence visa (medical, Emirates ID, stamping). A 5–7 day trip is enough.
Other free zones worth considering
Each free zone serves a different model. If KEZAD isn't quite the right fit, these are the closest alternatives.
Book your free 30-minute consultation
We'll tell you within 30 minutes whether KEZAD is the right zone for your industrial, trading or logistics model, and if it isn't, which one is.
