KEZAD Company Formation
Establish your business in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi — the industrial, logistics and trade ecosystem now operating under KEZAD Group. Choose between Free Zone and Mainland structures, with licensing for industrial, trading and service activities and facilities ranging from startup workstations to warehouses, light-industrial units, serviced land and build-to-suit projects.
A Strong Fit for Businesses That Need More Than a Licence Address
KEZAD can accommodate startups and service businesses, but its biggest strategic advantage is the ability to support goods-based and operational businesses as they grow.
Manufacturing
Industrial licensing supports import of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging and export of finished or intermediate products.
Core strengthTrading & Distribution
Trading licences support import, export, distribution, stocking and warehousing of approved goods.
Commercial routeLogistics & Freight
Service activities can include cargo and freight-forwarding support and other logistics-related services within the approved licence scope.
Supply-chain fitSMEs & Service Businesses
Startup solutions include cost-effective workstations and dedicated offices for eligible service, trading and entrepreneurial businesses.
Startup routeKEZAD Lets the Jurisdiction Follow the Business Strategy
This is one of KEZAD's most important differences. The group offers both Free Zone and Mainland — described by KEZAD as the Domestic Economic Zone — so the structure can be selected according to market access, ownership, customs and manufacturing goals.
KEZAD Free Zone
KEZAD states that its Free Zone permits 100% foreign ownership and is suitable for startups, wholesale distributors, re-exporters, warehousing businesses and industrial projects targeting markets outside the GCC.
Free Zone frameworkKEZAD Mainland / Domestic Economic Zone
The Mainland route provides direct UAE and GCC market access. KEZAD also highlights potential “Made in UAE” certification and GCC/GAFTA customs advantages for qualifying locally manufactured products.
Onshore operating routeIndustrial, Trading and Service Licences
KEZAD's current company-licence framework is built around three core licence categories.
Industrial Licence
Permits approved industrial activities including importing raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging and exporting intermediate or finished products.
Trading / General Trading Licence
Permits import, export, distribution, stocking and warehousing of products specified on the licence. KEZAD uses the product/activity scope to determine when General Trading applies.
Service Licence
Can cover approved activities such as management/economic consultancy, marketing, logistics support, freight forwarding, food-service activities, travel agencies and other listed services.
KEZAD Has a Clear Threshold for General Trading
This is useful for businesses comparing a narrow trading licence with a broader General Trading structure.
Specified Products
A regular Trading Licence covers the products and trading activities expressly listed on the licence.
More Than 17 Products
KEZAD currently states that a General Trading Licence is issued if the total number of products exceeds seventeen.
More Than 3 Groups
KEZAD also states that General Trading applies if the total number of product groups exceeds three.
From a Workstation to a 50,000 m² Warehouse
KEZAD's facility offering is one of its strongest reasons to choose the jurisdiction. It can support businesses from initial formation through to substantial warehousing and industrial expansion.
Workstations & Offices
Free Zone startup solutions include shared workstations and dedicated/executive office options for eligible SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Pre-Built Warehouses
KEZAD currently advertises scalable pre-built warehouses ranging from approximately 300 m² to 50,000 m² under one roof.
Light Industrial Units
Dedicated units are available for SMEs carrying out light manufacturing, processing and assembly.
Serviced Land & Build-to-Suit
Industrial and logistics projects can use serviced plots or custom Build-to-Suit facilities designed, constructed and handed over around the operating requirement.
Free Zone Businesses Can Have a Mainland Expansion Route
KEZAD states that Free Zone companies can obtain an additional licence from Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development to conduct economic activities outside the Free Zone without establishing additional offices or branches, subject to eligibility and applicable approvals.
Keep the Free Zone Company
The existing KEZAD Free Zone entity remains the core company structure.
Additional ADDED Licence
The company may apply for the relevant additional mainland licence through the Abu Dhabi licensing framework where the activity qualifies.
No Additional Office / Branch
KEZAD's published Free Zone guidance states that the additional licence can allow eligible companies to operate outside the Free Zone without taking separate offices or branches.
LLC and Branch Structures
KEZAD's current company-legal-type guidance lists Limited Liability Company and Branch Company routes. The correct structure depends on the shareholders, parent company and intended business.
Limited Liability Company
An incorporated entity can be established under the relevant KEZAD jurisdiction and company-registration requirements, subject to the selected ownership and activity structure.
Branch Company
An existing parent company can establish a branch where the proposed activity, parent documentation and jurisdictional requirements are satisfied.
KEZAD Is Designed Around Operational Synergies
KEZAD's industrial planning groups related industries and service providers so companies can benefit from nearby suppliers, customers, logistics providers and shared infrastructure.
Automotive
Suitable for automotive manufacturing, components, assembly and supply-chain businesses where the approved project and facility align.
Food
Food manufacturing, processing and related logistics can benefit from industrial infrastructure and supply-chain connectivity.
Life Sciences & Chemicals
Life-science, polymers and speciality-chemical projects are among the sectors highlighted by KEZAD, subject to technical and regulatory approvals.
Metals & Materials
Industrial zones, utilities and larger land/facility options can support metals and materials-based manufacturing projects.
KEZAD Is Not Only for Large Factories
KEZAD also offers Free Zone startup solutions through workstations and office packages designed for SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs.
24-Hour Company Setup
KEZAD currently promotes company setup in 24 hours for eligible Free Zone startup packages once documentation and approvals are complete.
Ready Workspace
Shared workstations and dedicated offices can provide a quicker entry route than building a standalone operating facility.
Scale Later
A business can begin with an SME-focused setup and later assess warehouses, light-industrial units or larger facilities as operations grow.
Infrastructure Helps the Business Story — Banks Still Decide
A KEZAD warehouse, industrial facility or clear trade operation can provide strong commercial substance, but bank-account approval remains an independent banking decision.
Explain the Supply Chain
Trading and industrial businesses should clearly document products, suppliers, customers, shipping routes, expected turnover and payment flows.
UBO & Source of Funds
Banks may assess shareholders, UBOs, source of wealth/funds, countries of operation, counterparties and sector risk.
Sensitive Activities Need More
Precious metals, petrochemicals, chemicals and other higher-risk sectors can involve enhanced regulatory, AML and banking documentation.
Free Zone and Mainland Tax Treatment Must Be Assessed Separately
KEZAD Free Zone companies and KEZAD Mainland companies operate under different jurisdictional structures, but both remain within the UAE federal tax framework.
Free Zone 0% Is Conditional
A KEZAD Free Zone entity may benefit from the 0% rate on Qualifying Income only where it satisfies the Qualifying Free Zone Person requirements.
Mainland Uses the Ordinary Corporate Tax Regime
A Mainland / Domestic Economic Zone entity is assessed under the applicable UAE Corporate Tax rules rather than the Free Zone QFZP framework.
VAT Is Separate
KEZAD's mainland guidance states that the standard VAT rate applies. VAT and customs treatment for Free Zone transactions must be reviewed against the actual goods movement and supply chain.
Choose the Jurisdiction Before the Facility
Assess
Define activities, markets, goods, shareholders, staffing and infrastructure needs.
Choose Jurisdiction
Compare KEZAD Free Zone against Mainland / Domestic Economic Zone.
Select Licence
Choose Industrial, Trading/General Trading or Service licence and exact activities.
Facility & Approval
Select workspace, warehouse, industrial unit, land or Build-to-Suit solution and complete approvals.
Operate
Complete licensing, immigration, banking, customs, tax and operational registrations.
When KEZAD Has the Edge
Choose KEZAD When...
Your business benefits from industrial infrastructure, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, Abu Dhabi market access, Free Zone/Mainland flexibility or the ability to scale into a substantial physical operation.
Compare Another Free Zone When...
You only need a lightweight consultancy or digital licence and do not benefit commercially from KEZAD's industrial/logistics ecosystem or Abu Dhabi location.
Compare Mainland Within KEZAD When...
Your business is focused directly on UAE/GCC customers, local manufacturing advantages or onshore distribution and the Domestic Economic Zone gives the cleaner operational route.
KEZAD / KIZAD Company Formation FAQs
Is KIZAD now called KEZAD?
Yes. The current brand is KEZAD Group — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi. “KIZAD” remains a widely used legacy search term, so both names are relevant when people look for company formation in the economic zone.
Does KEZAD offer both Free Zone and Mainland company formation?
Yes. KEZAD Group expressly offers both Free Zone and Mainland / Domestic Economic Zone options. The correct route depends on ownership, market access, manufacturing, customs, tax and operational requirements.
What licence types are available?
KEZAD's current core categories are Industrial Licence, Trading or General Trading Licence, and Service Licence.
When does KEZAD require a General Trading Licence?
KEZAD currently states that a General Trading Licence is issued where the total number of products exceeds 17 or the total number of product groups exceeds three.
Can a KEZAD Free Zone company operate on the Abu Dhabi mainland?
KEZAD states that eligible Free Zone companies can obtain an additional licence from Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development to conduct economic activities outside the Free Zone without establishing additional offices or branches, subject to the applicable activity and approval requirements.
Does KEZAD have warehouses and industrial land?
Yes. KEZAD offers pre-built warehouses, light-industrial units, serviced industrial/logistics plots, offices, shared workspaces and Build-to-Suit facilities. Its current company-setup materials describe warehouses from approximately 300 m² up to 50,000 m² under one roof.
Can a small business use KEZAD?
Yes. KEZAD has Free Zone startup solutions with workstations and dedicated offices and currently promotes company setup within 24 hours for eligible complete startup applications.
Does a KEZAD Free Zone company automatically pay 0% Corporate Tax?
No. The UAE Free Zone Corporate Tax regime is conditional. The company must satisfy the Qualifying Free Zone Person requirements and the relevant income must be Qualifying Income.
Is KEZAD the Right Platform for Your UAE Business?
Tell BizCafe what you manufacture, trade or provide, where your customers are, how goods will move, your shareholders, visas, banking needs and the facility you expect to require. We will assess whether KEZAD Free Zone, KEZAD Mainland or another UAE jurisdiction gives the business the stronger long-term structure.