Establish a Business.
Opportunities in DIFC for financial and non-financial businesses.
- Financial Firms
- Non-Financial Firms
- AI, FinTech and innovation firms
- Retail and Leisure
There is enormous growth potential for financial services companies establishing in DIFC. The Centre provides businesses with access to opportunities across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Strong economic and demographic growth, alongside high levels of wealth, offer financial services companies the potential to expand existing business and develop new customers.
DIFC provides a comprehensive range of licensing solutions and streamlined business set-up for financial companies, serving as a gateway to the region’s emerging fast-growth markets.
Banking and Capital Markets
The banking and capital markets sector within DIFC includes companies operating in the following financial areas:
Wealth and Asset Management
DIFC's wealth and asset management ecosystem cover the following business categories:
Insurance, Reinsurance and Captives
The burgeoning insurance and reinsurance sector in DIFC creates new opportunities for existing businesses and new entrants.
0DIFC’s ecosystem includes a number of non-financial firms operating across a wide spectrum of business sectors.
The Centre is home to regulated professional services companies as well as many other non-regulated and non-financial businesses. From legal, taxation, and strategic advisory firms to family-led institutions, a broad range of businesses can benefit from DIFC’s comprehensive licensing solutions and growth-enabling ecosystem.
DIFC’s expanding base of companies and talent also creates endless opportunities for professional firms looking to offer services to the Centre’s new and existing clients.
Special Purpose Vehicles (Prescribed Companies) and other Company Structures
DIFC provides a wide range of company structures, including SPVs and Active Enterprises, within its world-class legal and regulatory framework. These legal structures align with international best practice and help businesses protect assets, manage risk and operate efficiently.
0Family Businesses
DIFC is the top choice for family businesses looking to achieve multi-generational success. The Centre helps family-led institutions create and preserve wealth through its hyper-connected ecosystem, flexible structures and tailored support.
Multinationals and Corporates
DIFC is the leading global hub for multinational corporations (MNCs), providing an efficient legal framework, thriving business environment, and a range of corporate structures to choose from.
Professional Service Providers
A variety of professional service providers choose to set up in DIFC to access fast-growth opportunities and high-calibre talent. Explore our guide on the non-financial and non-retail activities covered within DIFC's ecosystem.
DIFC has solidified its position as the leading AI, FinTech and innovation hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The Centre offers one of the region's most comprehensive technology ecosystems, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation and legislation, innovative accelerator programmes, collaborative workspaces and funding for growth-stage start-ups.
Propelling Dubai’s status as a global powerhouse of innovation, DIFC has created lucrative opportunities for technology and AI start-ups, global firms and unicorns to establish their regional presence.
DIFC plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for innovation in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Its sector-agnostic business hub and cost-effective Innovation and AI licences equip forward-thinking entrepreneurs with the resources and support required to establish, grow and scale their technology businesses. Through DIFC's dynamic ecosystem and world-class regulatory and legal framework, every start-up innovator and entrepreneur is connected to a diverse community of banks, venture capital firms, financial institutions, and professional service providers.
As the largest innovation ecosystem in the MEASA region, the DIFC Innovation Hub supports DIFC’s vision to drive the future of finance and innovation. It continues to lead the region's efforts in providing an enabling environment for transformative ideas and solutions that contribute to the development of the financial services and technology industry. Through networking opportunities, collaboration and knowledge-exchange, DIFC and the DIFC Innovation Hub also support the development of talent across sectors.
The DIFC-curated digital platform, Ignyte, is another key initiative that supports the Centre’s start-up ecosystem. The platform provides start-ups and founders access to capital, mentorship, infrastructure and resources to help them innovate, grow and expand globally.
Innovation Licence
DIFC's Innovation Licence is tailored for tech companies, offering significant discounts and incentives to foster growth within a supportive regulatory environment.
AI Licence
DIFC's AI Licence empowers businesses in the development of advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and blockchain-based innovations within its ecosystem.
Venture Studio Licence
DIFC's Venture Studio Licence and legal framework is tailored for corporate innovation and venture studios, within a thriving environment to incubate new business ventures.
DIFC offers diverse lifestyle options for professionals, visitors, and residents. Its districts feature cafes, restaurants, shops, essential services, art galleries, and retail outlets.
Cafes and Restaurants
The tremendous variety of cafes and restaurants is one of the district's most compelling features.
Art Galleries
Since the inception of DIFC, art galleries have been an integral part of the community.
Setting up a Business in DIFC
Tax-efficient Business
The DIFC free zone is a geographically designated and defined area in the United Arab Emirates and is considered a qualified free zone for the purposes of the UAE Corporate Tax Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Taxation of Corporations and Businesses and its amendments). This allows businesses operating in the DIFC Free Zone to benefit from a zero per cent corporate tax rate on qualifying income as specified by the relevant corporate tax cabinet and ministerial decisions. To learn more, visit the UAE Ministry of Finance website.