Free zones insights
Operational notes on free zones for founders relocating to the UAE — every post reviewed by a Sirius consultant before publishing and linked to its original source.
Allied World Opens DIFC Regional Office as UAE (Re)Insurance Hub Tops USD 4.2bn
Allied World has established a regional office in DIFC, joining a (re)insurance ecosystem where gross written premiums exceeded USD 4.2bn in 2025 — up 20% year on year.
Read →Lianlian DigiTech Secures DFSA Licence to Run Cross-Border Payments from DIFC
Chinese fintech Lianlian DigiTech has obtained a DFSA payment services licence and is establishing its licensed regional headquarters inside DIFC.
Read →PropTech Connect Middle East Opens a DIFC Office, Signalling Dubai's Growing PropTech Ecosystem
PropTech Connect Middle East has licensed and opened a regional office in DIFC, backed by Dubai Land Department — a marker of Dubai's expanding real estate technology hub.
Read →DIFC Firms Reaffirm Dubai as a Global Financial Hub Amid Regional Uncertainty
Major banks, insurers, and fintechs operating in DIFC say regional uncertainty has reinforced—not weakened—their commitment to Dubai as a gateway to 77 MEASA markets.
Read →Sarwa Reaches USD 1 Billion in Client Assets — What It Signals for DIFC FinTech Founders
UAE-founded Sarwa has crossed USD 1 bn in client assets, becoming the first UAE FinTech platform to hit this mark after graduating from DIFC's regulatory sandbox.
Read →DIFC Opens Prescribed Company Regime to Any Applicant — Consultation Closes 2 June 2026
DIFC proposes to remove all eligibility restrictions from its Prescribed Company regime and expand the role of licensed Corporate Service Providers. Consultation closes 2 June 2026.
Read →Atradius Opens DIFC Hub, Expanding Trade Credit Insurance Across MENA
Global credit insurer Atradius has established operations in DIFC, strengthening access to trade credit insurance and risk management services for businesses across the MENA region.
Read →UAE Free Zones Explained: Key Benefits for Foreign Investors
UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full capital repatriation. We break down the advantages and help you choose the right jurisdiction.
Read →Business Registration in the UAE: A Practical Guide to Opening a Company in Dubai
Free zone, offshore or mainland — we break down the three company formats, the registration steps, and typical costs so you can make the right choice.
Read →Meydan Free Zone Partners with Cargoz to Bundle Licensing and On-Demand Warehousing in Dubai
Meydan Free Zone has partnered with Cargoz UAE to give licensed businesses access to flexible warehousing at up to 20% off — with a business licence issued in under 60 minutes.
Read →Meydan Free Zone and DHL Express UAE: What the New Shipping Partnership Means for Dubai Founders
Meydan Free Zone has partnered with DHL Express UAE to offer licensed businesses discounted international shipping rates and customs support. Here is what founders should know.
Read →Meydan Free Zone Partners with APPSGATE to Offer Odoo ERP Discounts to License Holders
Meydan Free Zone has formalised a partnership with APPSGATE, an authorised Odoo partner in the UAE, giving license holders discounted ERP implementation and a free gap analysis.
Read →Meydan Free Zone adds 11 AI-adjacent licenses to its activity list
Generative-AI consulting, prompt engineering, model fine-tuning, and data-labeling are now explicitly licensable under Meydan's expanded 2026 activity list.
Read →DMCC vs IFZA in 2026: where the premium actually lands
We registered 42 companies across both last year. The premium is real — and it lands in three specific places that matter for trading and consulting profiles.
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