Company Formation in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)
Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, known as ICAD, is a large industrial zone in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The zone supports heavy industry, light manufacturing, logistics, and technology-driven plants. The master plan covers tens of square kilometers with plots, utilities, and roads for modern factories. The location sits near major highways, an international airport, and a deep seaport, so shipments move in and out with speed. The ecosystem gives space for big projects along with room for small suppliers that grow beside anchor tenants.
ICAD sits within a broader industrial strategy for the UAE. The zone welcomes global investors who want efficient land, reliable power, and simple approvals. It also helps local entrepreneurs who want scalable units, strong warehousing, and access to regional buyers. The authority coordinates land allocation, facility leasing, and initial licensing, so founders focus on operations rather than red tape. With planned clusters, the park groups similar activities together, which reduces logistics waste and improves shared services.
The zone aims to create a setting where innovation, collaboration, and sustainability thrive. It does this with industrial utilities, wide roads for heavy vehicles, and robust telecom networks. It also offers support services, like customs liaison and site services for maintenance. When a factory needs a substation, the authority designs power with industrial loads in mind. When a logistics hub needs cold-chain, the team points to approved solutions with proper standards.
Advantages of Setting Up in ICAD
A smart investor looks for clear benefits. ICAD gives direct advantages that your cost model will show.
- Strategic location: The site links to E11 Abu Dhabi–Dubai Road, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Khalifa Port, so you reach GCC and global markets.
- Industrial utilities: Reliable electricity, water, natural gas connections, and telecom service built for manufacturing loads.
- Zoned clusters: Heavy, light, high-tech, and automotive areas reduce conflicts and improve supply chain flow.
- Land and units: Long-lease land plots, ready warehouses, and build-to-suit options help you scale with certainty.
- Fast movement: On-site roads, wide truck access, and proximity to ports lower dwell time and trucking cost.
- Workforce access: Abu Dhabi draws skilled engineers and operators, with training partners who support upskilling.
- Ownership and repatriation: 100% foreign ownership is allowed; you repatriate profits and capital freely.
- Predictable compliance: Industrial approvals follow defined steps, so teams plan with realistic timelines.
These levers lower unit cost per product, which helps your bids in export markets and long contracts.
Sectors and Activities You Can Run in ICAD
The industrial city permits a wide set of activities. Each license aligns with a plant design and a safety profile.
- Engineering and metallurgy: Fabrication, machining, casting, and metal products for oil & gas, construction, and mobility.
- General industries: Mass production lines for consumer goods, packaging, and durable products.
- Chemicals and plastics: Compounding, molding, and chemical processing subject to approvals and HSE standards.
- Oil and gas services: Equipment servicing, skids, pressure vessels, and field-support assembly bases.
- Construction materials: Cement-linked products, precast, blocks, aggregates, and steel rebar processing.
- High-tech manufacturing: Electronics, telecom hardware, precision assemblies, and advanced components.
- Food processing: Chilled and ambient lines, flour and grain processing, and export-ready packing.
When you pick an activity, you also map the space, the utilities, and the approvals that fit the risk profile.
ICAD Clusters (At a Glance)
The city organizes production into five broad clusters. Your site choice affects logistics, neighbors, and shared services.
- ICAD I: Heavy industries like steel, cement, large fabrication, and major assembly plants.
- ICAD II: Light manufacturing such as assembly, packaging, and component finishing.
- ICAD III: Light-to-medium engineering, with room for food processing and consumer goods.
- ICAD IV: Technology-based industries with clean production requirements and R&D needs.
- ICAD V: Automotive activities with assembly, component suppliers, and testing facilities.
A cluster model reduces travel inside the zone and puts support vendors closer to your line.
Documents Required for ICAD Company Registration
You keep approvals fast when your file is complete. Below is a simple checklist you can follow.
- Business name reservation evidence issued by the competent authority.
- Preliminary activity approval for the target industrial scope.
- Passport copies for all shareholders and directors.
- Manager’s passport and CV for competency review.
- Proof of premises (lease, land reservation, or intent).
- Environmental, construction, or Civil Defence approvals where needed by activity.
- Information sheets for shareholders and the general manager.
- Notarized power of attorney (if a representative will sign on behalf of owners).
- Board resolution approving incorporation in ICAD and appointing signatories.
Clear scans, consistent names, and aligned ownership data prevent queries and time loss.
License Categories and Legal Forms
Industrial activities sit under standard UAE licensing. The exact name may vary by authority, but scope fits the work.
- Industrial license: For manufacturing, assembly, processing, or plant operations.
- Commercial (trading) license: For import, export, storage, and distribution of goods that support plants.
- Service license: For technical, engineering, maintenance, logistics, and management services attached to industry.
Common legal forms include:
- LLC (Limited Liability Company): The most used vehicle for plants with partners or a sole shareholder.
- Branch of a foreign company: Operates under the parent’s name with defined local scope.
- Representative office: A non-trading presence for sourcing and coordination.
Choose the structure that fits bank needs, risk, and group controls.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up in ICAD
A clean process helps your team hit target dates. Use this path to plan resources.
- Select activity and legal form. You define scope, HS codes, and utilities; you pick LLC, branch, or representative office.
- Reserve name. You reserve a compliant trade name that matches your brand and activity.
- Secure preliminary approval. You obtain initial consent for the activity and the general site plan.
- Lock premises. You sign a lease for a warehouse or a plot; you agree on power, water, gas, and telecom needs.
- Prepare documents. You collect passports, resolutions, POAs, and the manager’s CV.
- File applications. You submit incorporation, license, and establishment card requests as per authority steps.
- Obtain external permits. You secure environment, building permits, and Civil Defence approvals if the plant requires them.
- Receive license and incorporation. You collect the industrial license and the commercial registration.
- Open a bank account. You complete KYC with the bank using the license, lease, and business plan.
- Mobilize and build. You fit-out, install machines, commission utilities, and run test batches.
A Gantt chart with owners and dates helps teams keep parallel tasks on track.
Facilities, Utilities, and Site Services
You plan early to match the line’s demand with the site’s supply.
- Power: Industrial feeders with substation options for high loads and stable voltage.
- Water: Process and potable lines with quality that meets plant specs, plus options for storage.
- Gas and steam: Where applicable, with metering and safety systems that match code.
- Road access: Wide carriageways for heavy trucks, with turning radii and lay-by areas for loading.
- Telecom: Fiber links and redundancy for plant systems, MES, and ERP connectivity.
- Waste and environment: Approved providers for hazardous and non-hazardous waste; spill controls and bunding where needed.
- Worker amenities: Transport links, accommodations nearby, and clinics in reach.
Design teams should lock single-line diagrams and utility loads before tender.
Compliance: What You Must Maintain
Industrial operations carry obligations. You build a compliance calendar with documents and owners.
- Corporate tax (from June 2023): You assess if you fall under the standard rate or special regimes, and you file returns on time.
- Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) assessment: If applicable, you test substance, income type, and contractual flows.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): You register when thresholds apply; you file returns and keep tax invoices.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR): You submit a notification and, if required, a report for relevant activities.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO): You keep an internal register and update within the legal window after any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) where in scope: You apply KYC, keep records, and train staff for reporting triggers.
- Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE): You maintain risk assessments, MSDS files, permits-to-work, and drills.
Strong records lower audit risk and keep insurers confident.
Cost Heads to Budget
Investors ask about cost with good reason. A transparent list helps with cash planning.
- Land lease or warehouse rent by size and term
- One-time registration and license issuance fees
- Utility connection and ongoing consumption charges
- Design, build, and fit-out contracts with contingency
- Machines and tooling with spares and commissioning
- Insurance for property, liability, and business interruption
- Payroll, visas, and accommodation budgets for staff
- Professional fees for audit, tax, legal, and compliance
Holding a 10–15% contingency on capex protects you from surprises during build.
Banking and Trade Enablement
After incorporation, you open a corporate bank account. Banks in the UAE apply strict KYC.
Prepare:
- License, incorporation certificate, and establishment card
- Lease agreement and utility confirmations
- Shareholder passports and proof of address
- Business plan, forecast, and sample contracts
- Supply chain map with key customers and vendors
For trade finance, you discuss LCs, receivables finance, and guarantees that support large projects.
Workforce, Visas, and HR
Your establishment card allows visa quotas. The number links to space and activity.
- You hire a competent general manager with industrial experience.
- You issue offer letters and labor contracts that match UAE law.
- You provide training for HSE, quality, and equipment safety.
- You keep leave, payroll, and end-of-service files in tidy sets.
Good HR reduces turnover and improves quality output on the line.
Quality Systems and Certification
Industrial buyers care about standards. You install systems that win tenders.
- ISO 9001 for quality management and continuous improvement.
- ISO 14001 for environmental management with legal registers.
- ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety controls.
- Sector-specific standards (API, IATF 16949, HACCP) as the product requires.
You document procedures, train staff, and run internal audits before external certification.
Why Choose Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing for ICAD Setup?
Industrial setup involves documents, permits, banks, and standards. Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing guides each step. Our team maps activities, drafts documents, and coordinates with authorities. We design a compliance calendar with ESR, UBO, VAT, and corporate tax tasks. We help you open the bank account and prepare KYC packs. We also install accounting systems that feed reliable monthly reports.
How we add value:
- Activity scoping and license selection done with clarity
- Land or unit shortlisting with utility due diligence
- Incorporation, approvals, and establishment card coordination
- Bank account opening with a complete KYC dossier
- Accounting setup, monthly books, and year-end audit
- Tax registration and timely filings where applicable
- HSE and quality roadmap with audit readiness
When units, timelines, and cash matter, you want a partner who makes complexity simple.
What Mubarak Al Ketbi (MAK) Auditing Can Help With
We keep language simple and actions clear. We handle paperwork while you build product.
- Company registration and industrial licensing
- Plot or warehouse selection and lease reviews
- Corporate bank account opening and KYC support
- Accounting, bookkeeping, and statutory audit
- VAT and corporate tax registration and filings
- ESR, UBO, and AML frameworks with templates
- HSE and quality system guidance before certification
For more information, visit or contact:
- 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
