New unified platform planned to connect all Dubai free zones
The Dubai Free Zones Council has reviewed plans to strengthen coordination among free zone authorities and simplify procedures for businesses, as part of efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s free zones and improve the overall investor experience.
Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Council held its 33rd meeting to discuss initiatives aimed at boosting government cooperation and achieving greater integration of services across all free zones in the emirate. Central to the discussions was a proposal to develop a unified digital platform that would connect free zone procedures into a single system.
The proposed platform is intended to streamline access to approvals, permits, and services, enabling investors and companies to complete transactions more efficiently. By centralising processes, the initiative aims to reduce duplication, improve institutional coordination, and support faster decision-making for both new and existing businesses operating within free zones.
Council members also reviewed measures to align operational procedures and enhance service delivery standards across free zones. Additional initiatives discussed included efforts to regulate labour-related processes and simplify entry permit systems. These included the use of the ‘Events Visa’ by major free zone entities, as well as the deployment of 71 staff members across free zones on a 24/7 basis to accelerate transactions and ensure business continuity.
The discussions reflect Dubai’s ongoing commitment to creating a more integrated, business-friendly environment that supports investment growth and reinforces the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for trade and enterprise.
