Company Formation in Dubai Industrial City (DIC)
Overview
Dubai Industrial City, often called DIC, supports industrial growth in the UAE. The zone opened in 2004 to diversify the economy. The master plan covers a very large area with plots, warehouses, offices, and worker villages. The location sits close to major highways and near air and sea hubs. Companies use this base to serve local and overseas buyers.
The park supports many sectors. Firms build food plants, metal workshops, and logistics yards. Teams run assembly lines, service bays, and distribution centers. The ecosystem gives access to utilities and road links. The community offers support services that keep operations steady and safe.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing helps founders understand rules, align activities, and complete filings. The team prepares files. The team tracks approvals. The team keeps a clean compliance record for clients.
Why Select DIC for Your Industrial Base
Location and Access
The site sits beside Emirates Road and Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Trucks move fast to ports and airports. Drivers reach Abu Dhabi and other emirates with ease. The location cuts travel time and fuel costs.
Purpose-Built Infrastructure
The park offers power, water, and roads that match heavy use. Industrial sheds support racking and forklifts. Yards handle containers and bulk goods. Offices give teams a quiet base for planning and sales.
Streamlined Setup
Authorities provide clear steps and digital channels. You submit forms online. You receive status updates by email. You collect company papers after approvals. The path reduces visits and saves hours.
Financial Clarity
The legal framework supports repatriation of profits. Free-zone rules and national tax policies give defined treatment when conditions are met. Firms plan cash flow with confidence.
Growth Capacity
The master plan leaves room for expansion. A small tenant can add a bay. A large plant can add a line. Supply partners grow inside the same park. The cluster effect improves speed and resilience.
Core Facilities and Practical Features
- Industrial Land: Long-term leases support factories, depots, and service yards. Plots come with utility corridors and road access.
- Ready Warehouses: Standard units serve storage and light processing. Clear heights, loading docks, and fire systems fit heavy work.
- Open Yards: Fenced zones store heavy equipment, steel, timber, or vehicles.
- Custom Offices: Teams choose fitted offices or shell-and-core units.
- Worker Housing: Purpose-built villages offer safe rooms, clinics, and food halls.
- Business Centers: Shared spaces host meetings, training, and admin work.
These facilities allow teams to move from plan to operation with limited delay.
Sector Clusters Inside the Park
- Food and Beverage: Processing, packaging, and cold chain.
- Base Metals and Fabrication: Cutting, forming, and coating lines.
- Machinery and Components: Assembly of parts and equipment.
- Transport Equipment and Parts: Vehicle prep, parts logistics, and service.
- Chemicals and Minerals (within policy): Blending and handling under HSE rules.
- Textiles and Light Industry: Finishing, labeling, and distribution.
- Logistics and 3PL: Regional distribution with multi-modal links.
Each cluster benefits from neighbors, vendors, and shared infrastructure.
License Families Available in the Zone
Industrial License
Firms manufacture, assemble, process, or pack goods. Many activities require specific HSE and environmental approvals. The facility must meet layout and safety codes. Teams confirm sub-activities before filing.
Commercial License
Firms buy and sell goods. Teams manage wholesale channels and B2B supply. Operations may include storage and distribution under the same entity.
Trading License
Companies import and export goods. Teams use ports and airports to reach global buyers. Processes cover customs, freight, and insurance.
Services License
Firms deliver professional or technical services. Examples include maintenance, calibration, testing, or engineering support.
The correct license aligns with actual daily work. A clear scope prevents future change requests and delays.
Company Structures and Basic Rules
- Free-zone LLC: Shareholders limit liability to paid-in capital.
- Branch: A parent company registers a branch to mirror activities.
- Minimum Shareholders: One or more, depending on form.
- Office Requirement: Lease a suitable facility that matches the license.
- Visas: An establishment card links to investor and staff visas under a quota.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing maps structure to the plan and keeps documents consistent across all forms.
Step-by-Step Formation Roadmap
- Define Activity and License
You list products or services. You select the matching license family and sub-activities. - Reserve Trade Name
You pick a compliant name. You avoid restricted words. You receive reservation proof. - Prepare Core Documents
You compile passports, proof of address, ownership chart, and—if needed—board resolutions. You draft MoA/AoA where applicable. - Submit Application and Pay Fees
You upload files on the portal. You answer clarifications quickly. You pay by approved channels. - Lease Facility
You choose a warehouse, yard, or office that fits the activity and visa quota. You sign a lease and collect tenancy evidence. - Site and HSE Approvals (if required)
Industrial setups often need layout drawings, equipment lists, and safety plans. You confirm fire and environmental compliance. - Receive Incorporation Papers
You obtain the trade license, incorporation certificate, MoA, and establishment card. You store them in a compliance folder. - Open Corporate Bank Account
You provide KYC packs, source-of-funds notes, and specimen signatures. You align the account with expected flows. - Immigration and Visas
You apply for investor and employee visas. You complete medicals and Emirates ID steps. You record renewals on a calendar. - Tax Registrations
You register for corporate tax and for VAT when thresholds apply. You set a bookkeeping system and keep audit-ready records.
This path keeps the process predictable and reduces the risk of rework.
Documents You Usually Provide
- Passport copies for owners and managers
- Proof of address for signatories
- Business plan or profile for industrial cases
- Memorandum and Articles (when required)
- Board resolution for corporate owners and branches
- Power of Attorney if an agent signs
- Facility lease or allotment letter
- Layout drawings and HSE submissions for factories
Clean scans and matched names speed reviews.
Compliance After You Start
Corporate Tax
You register and file returns under federal rules. Qualifying free-zone provisions may apply to defined income if tests are met. You still keep substance, records, and on-time filings.
VAT
You register when taxable supplies cross the threshold. You issue compliant tax invoices. You file returns and retain evidence.
UBO and ESR
You disclose ultimate beneficial owners. You assess Economic Substance scope. You maintain substance for covered activities.
AML (when in scope)
If the business falls under DNFBP categories, you enroll on the national platform. You perform risk assessment and customer due diligence.
Renewals
You renew the license, establishment card, and visas before expiry. You update activity lists when you change operations.
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing sets calendars, templates, and internal checks that keep filings current.
Operating Costs and Budget Pointers
- License fees and formation charges
- Establishment card and immigration costs
- Warehouse or office rent and utilities
- Visa expenses, medicals, and Emirates IDs
- Insurance for property, liability, and workers
- Accounting, audit, and tax services
- Equipment, racking, and MHE leasing
- Transport, fuel, and maintenance
A quarterly plan vs actual review helps managers adjust spending and protect cash.
Worker Welfare and Site Standards
The park promotes safe and healthy workplaces. Employers provide training, PPE, and supervision. Housing blocks include clinics and recreation spaces. Regular inspections keep standards high. Clean and safe sites improve productivity and reduce downtime.
Community and Business Support
- Industry Events: Teams meet suppliers, buyers, and regulators.
- Retail and Food: Shops and cafeterias serve staff near work.
- Fitness Areas: Courts, tracks, and gyms support wellness.
- Health Centers: Clinics provide quick care and screening.
- Event Venues: Halls host launches and training days.
The community design supports daily life for teams and their families.
Practical Tips Before You Apply
- Map the activity list to your real operation.
- Size the facility to your first-year volume and visa quota.
- Build an HSE file early for industrial lines.
- Pick a bank that understands your source markets.
- Set policies for purchasing, stock counts, and driver safety.
These habits create order and reduce risk during scale-up.
Five Illustrative Use Cases
- Cold-Chain Distributor: The team leases a chiller warehouse, sets HACCP procedures, and serves supermarkets.
- Metal Fabricator: The plant installs presses and welding bays, meets fire codes, and supplies contractors.
- Auto Parts Hub: The company runs a cross-dock for regional dealers with barcode control.
- Food Startup: The founder uses a ready unit, installs a small line, and adds a second shift after new contracts.
- Machinery Service Firm: The crew leases a yard and workshop, adds mobile units, and wins AMC clients.
These cases show how the park supports very different operational needs.
Key Advantages Recap
- Access by road to ports and airports
- Ownership stays 100% foreign under free-zone forms
- Profits and capital move out freely
- Qualifying free-zone treatment may apply to defined income when rules are met
- Incorporation steps stay clear and digital
- Infrastructure supports heavy and light industry
These points explain why many firms choose this location for long-term operations.
What Can Help – Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing 🥇
Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing helps founders plan, form, and run entities in DIC with order and care. The team aligns activity and license. The team prepares documents and drawings with accuracy. The team supports banking, immigration, tax, VAT, ESR, and renewals. Early guidance protects timelines, cuts rework, and lowers exposure—because a stitch in time saves nine.
Contact & Visit
- Office Address: Saraya Avenue Building – Office M-06, Block/A, Al Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Contact / WhatsApp: +971 50 276 2132
- Geo Coordinates: 25.2807189480206, 55.41846458517048
