DMCC offers cost-effective packages for services and trading companies in a high-rise tower environment.
DMC caters to a different, industrial-maritime sector and does not compete on price for standard commercial licenses.
A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.
Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups
Year 1 Total
—
Annual Renewal
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Year 1 Total
AED 47,140
Annual Renewal
AED 37,085
No breakdown available
Detailed Breakdown
Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone
No Pre-Bundled Packages
This jurisdiction offers custom pricing based on specific requirements rather than set packages.
Flexi-Desk Package
Starter TierAnnual Cost
AED 37,085
NoteCost includes Trade License and Flexi Desk. Registration (9,020 AED) and Application fees (1,035 AED) are one-time additions. Visa, E-channel, and Insurance are separate.
A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre offers a lower starting price point at AED 31000
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre typically processes new licenses in ~7 days
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space
Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)
Both are widely recognized as premium, tier-1 jurisdictions
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre wins for being both notably cheaper and consistently faster
Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison
Executive summaries and competitive positioning
Dubai Maritime City targets the global maritime industry, focusing on sectors such as ship repair, yacht manufacturing, maritime services, and logistics. Its primary investor profile includes marine service providers, engineering firms, yacht and vessel manufacturers, repair and maintenance companies, and shipping and logistics operators seeking a strategic location with specialized infrastructure.
Key Advantages
Dubai Maritime City is the definitive choice for businesses core to the maritime industry—ship repair, yacht manufacturing, marine engineering, and shipping—that require purpose-built, specialized infrastructure and direct integration with a global port operator like DP World.
Businesses without a direct link to the maritime industry (e.g., general trading, media, IT services) and solo entrepreneurs, as the zone does not offer freelance permits and its costs are aligned with its specialized, capital-intensive facilities.
DMCC targets a wide range of industries, with a historical focus on commodities like gold, diamonds, precious metals, tea, and coffee. It has expanded to become a leading hub for technology, crypto and Web3, AI, gaming, energy, financial services, and professional consultancies. The free zone also hosts nearly 2,000 companies in private capital and finance and over 3,600 in energy. The primary investor profile ranges from startups and SMEs to large multinational corporations seeking 100% foreign ownership, a tax efficient environment, and a strategic location with world class infrastructure to access global markets. DMCC has been named Global Free Zone of the Year by the Financial Times fDi Magazine for nine consecutive years.
Key Advantages
Commodities trading, crypto and Web3 ventures, technology companies, and established service businesses that need a prestigious Dubai address, a massive networking ecosystem, and specialized industry infrastructure.
Common questions answered transparently with real data
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 31,000. In the broader market context, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre is officially positioned as "Premium".
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 7 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.
Dubai Maritime City: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.
Dubai Maritime City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.
Dubai Maritime City is the definitive choice for businesses core to the maritime industry—ship repair, yacht manufacturing, marine engineering, and shipping—that require purpose-built, specialized infrastructure and direct integration with a global port operator like DP World.
Commodities trading, crypto and Web3 ventures, technology companies, and established service businesses that need a prestigious Dubai address, a massive networking ecosystem, and specialized industry infrastructure.
