ICV

Category	Program / Incentive	Details / Link	Main Benefits	How to Reach Them (Official Channels Only)
Tax Incentives	0% Corporate Tax	SMEs earning under AED 3M annually qualify for 0% corporate tax under UAE investment incentive laws. [u.ae]	Major reduction in operational and tax costs. These are the day‑to‑day expenses a company pays to run the business, such as: Rent Utilities Production costs Service fees	UAE Ministry of Economy – Investment Incentives Portal [u.ae]
	VAT Registration Exemption	Companies below AED 375K revenue are exempt from mandatory VAT registration. [u.ae]	Low compliance obligations for small businesses. Compliance obligations These are the rules, laws, and official requirements a business must follow, such as: Registering for VAT Filing tax returns Maintaining specific financial records Submitting reports to government authorities Meeting regulatory requirements Micro businesses These are very small companies, usually with: Very low annual revenue Few employees Simple operations	Federal Tax Authority (FTA) online services portal
	40+ Free Zones	UAE provides over 40 free zones offering 0% tax, 100% ownership, and customs duty exemptions. [u.ae]	Ideal for foreign investors, simplified trade and licensing. Ideal for foreign investors The environment is very suitable and attractive for international business owners. Foreign investors can easily set up companies because of: 100% ownership Easy regulations Tax benefits Flexible business laws Simplified trade Trading goods (importing and exporting) is easy and fast due to: Customs duty exemptions in free zones Fewer trade restrictions Supportive logistics infrastructure Simplified licensing Getting a business license is quick and straightforward, especially in free zones: Faster approvals Online applications Fewer documents required	Through each free zone’s official portal (DMCC, RAKEZ, DIFC).
Foreign Investment	100% Mainland Ownership	Foreign investors can fully own mainland companies without a UAE national partner, based on the Commercial Companies Law. [u.ae]	Full management control and investor independence. Full management control Make all business decisions independently Manage the company without needing approval from a local partner Control operations, finances, strategy, and governance Own 100% of the company shares Investor independence This means: The investor can operate freely without relying on a UAE sponsor No requirement for a local partner or local service agent The investor retains full authority over the company’s direction The investor has complete control over profit distribution and decision‑making Again supported by the UAE’s policy change allowing 100% foreign ownership and no need for a national agent for branches.	Ministry of Economy website (Company Law section).
	No Minimum Capital Requirement	UAE LLCs do not require a minimum share capital for business establishment. [u.ae]	Lower entry barriers and reduced startup cost. Lower entry barriers It is easier to start a business. There are fewer requirements, such as: No minimum capital requirement for LLCs in the UAE Simplified procedures Less legal or regulatory steps This helps new or small companies enter the market without difficulty. Reduced startup cost It costs less money to open a business. Expenses like: Initial capital Licensing Legal setup fees Registration costs Are lower than usual, making it more affordable to launch the company.	UAE DED (Department of Economic Development) portals.
MoIAT Industrial Programs	Make it in the Emirates Accelerator	Provides access to R&D labs, advanced production lines, logistics support, and investor introductions to scale manufacturing. [commenda.io]	Accelerated industrial growth The industry (manufacturing, production, factories, industrial companies) is growing faster than normal. The program or initiative is helping companies increase their output, expand operations, and develop new industrial capabilities more quickly than before. Innovation uptake Companies are adopting new technologies, new methods, and modern practices more quickly. Innovation includes automation, R&D, advanced technology, robotics, digital tools, etc. “Uptake” means companies are actually using these innovations, not just talking about them.	MoIAT official portal – Make it in the Emirates.
	Industry 4.0 Program The Industry 4.0 Program in the UAE is a national initiative led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) to help companies modernize their factories by adopting advanced technologies, including: Automation Robotics Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart manufacturing systems Digital production tools Internet of Things (IoT)	Supports automation, robotics, AI adoption, and digitization of manufacturing processes.	Enhanced production efficiency and competitiveness. Enhanced production efficiency This means the company can produce more, faster, and with less costs, because it is using better tools, better processes, or better technology. Enhanced competitiveness the company becomes stronger than other companies because it can: Offer better prices Deliver faster Provide higher‑quality products Operate more efficiently	MoIAT Industry 4.0 online platform.
	Preferential Utility Tariffs	Offers reduced electricity and water tariffs for manufacturers through Etihad Water & Electricity.	Significant operational and utility cost savings. They get cheaper electricity and water, which reduces their expenses.	Etihad Water & Electricity official service portal.
	Product Offtake Agreements	Government-backed long-term purchasing agreements from major UAE corporations to support local manufacturing.	Guaranteed demand and stable revenue streams. Because big UAE companies agree to purchase products in advance, manufacturers are guaranteed buyers, giving them stable and predictable income.	MoIAT Opportunity Packs portal.
Export Support	Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)	Provides export credit insurance, risk coverage, and protection for companies entering global markets.	Safe international expansion with guaranteed payments.	ECI official website contact submission form.
	Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX)	Offers financing for buyers of UAE‑made goods, increasing export competitiveness.	Expands global reach for UAE-based manufacturers.	ADEX portal (via Abu Dhabi Fund for Development).
Funding & Grants	MBRIF	Supports innovative companies through financing guarantees, advisory, and innovation-focused funding. [commenda.io]	Helps innovators secure capital and scale.	MBRIF official website – application portal.
	Dubai SME	Offers funding up to AED 1M for Emirati entrepreneurs and startup support programs. [commenda.io]	Boosts private enterprise and startup growth.	Dubai SME official DED platform.
	Khalifa Fund	Provides financing, mentorship, and advisory services for SMEs.	Supports national SME ecosystem development.	Khalifa Fund official website.
SME Programs	National SME Program The National SME Program me is a federal government program in the UAE created to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country. It is officially part of the UAE Government’s SME support framework, alongside the UAE SME Council and Operation 300bn.	Provides guidance, training, and technical support for SMEs in UAE.	Strengthens SME capabilities and growth potential.	UAE Government Portal (u.ae) – SME section.
	Future Industries Lab The Future Industries Lab is a specialized program run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Its purpose is to build technical skills, develop industrial capabilities, and prepare SMEs and Emirati talent for the future of advanced manufacturing.	Offers training in R&D, quality control, and product development designed for industrial SMEs.	Boosts innovation and technical capacity for SMEs. Provides Advanced Technical Training The Lab offers specialized training programs in: Product development Quality control Modern industrial technologies Future industry skills Supports R&D and Innovation The Lab works with SMEs to: Develop new products Improve existing products Adopt innovative production methods The Future Industries Lab boosts innovation and technical capacity for SMEs by providing advanced industrial training, product development support, and access to future-ready technologies, helping them become more capable, skilled, and competitive.	MoIAT official website – Future Industries Lab page.
Innovation Hubs	Hub71 Hub71 is Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem — a government-backed hub designed to support startups, founders, and tech companies by giving them access to funding, talent, infrastructure, and global networks. It was launched as part of the UAE’s major economic transformation agenda and is located in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the emirate’s international financial center.	Provides incentives such as free housing, office space, and health insurance for founders. [commenda.io]	Reduces startup cost and supports scaling. Cash incentives AED 250,000 in cash for accepted startups (via SAFE note). High-performing startups can get an additional AED 250,000. Free or subsidized office space Startups receive office space at WeWork in ADGM (Al Maryah Island). Seed-stage startups may receive 100% subsidized office space for 2 years.	Hub71 official website registration portal.
	DIFC Innovation License The DIFC Innovation License is a special license offered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for startups and tech companies, especially in FinTech, RegTech, Web3, AI, and digital innovation.	Low‑cost licensing program enabling fintech and tech firms to operate within Dubai’s major financial center. [commenda.io]	Provides regulatory sandbox access and fintech ecosystem support. Access to the DFSA’s Innovation Testing Licence (ITL) The DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) operates the Innovation Testing Licence, which is DIFC’s official regulatory sandbox. this sandbox allows companies to do: Test new fintech products in a controlled environment Operate with temporary regulatory relaxations while being closely supervised Develop and refine innovative financial solutions (payments, digital assets, AI‑driven finance, etc.) Navigate the path from testing to full authorization	DIFC Innovation Hub portal. [dfsa.ae]
	DMCC Prime Plus Package The DMCC Prime Plus Package is a premium company setup package offered by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), designed mainly for medium and large companies that want a fast, efficient, and flexible business setup in Dubai.	Provides discounted setup fees and premium services in the world’s leading commodities free zone. [commenda.io]	Ideal for trade, commodities, and crypto entities. Purpose‑built free zone for global commodities the DMCC is literally the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, a hub created to enable commodities trade (metals, diamonds, energy, agri, etc.) with infrastructure such as towers, logistics access, and on‑site customs services. DMCC Crypto Centre access → Prime Plus and related packages provide complimentary access to the DMCC Crypto Centre co‑working facility, designed specifically for crypto, blockchain. Sector‑ready environment the DMCC promotes tailored ecosystems for digital assets alongside AI and gaming (e.g., dedicated co‑working and programmatic support), which is helpful for compliance‑minded crypto businesses that need a credible base. Secure trading environment, legal and clarity. DMCC emphasizes a secure, rules‑based trading environment and licensing across a wide range of activities for digital‑asset firms that need predictable operations and counterparties.	DMCC official website.
ICV Program	ICV Certification	Evaluates supplier contributions to UAE economy and increases tender competitiveness. [commenda.io]	Higher ranking in government procurement. Government tenders give preference to high‑ICV suppliers. Government and semi‑government entities evaluate suppliers not only on price, but also on their ICV Score. A higher ICV Score = more points during tender evaluation. This gives certified companies a competitive advantage, even if another bidder has a similar price. High‑ICV companies are prioritized by procurement teams Procurement teams are instructed to: Consider ICV in award decisions Encourage suppliers to improve their ICV score Support local manufacturing and UAE economic growth A high ICV score signals: Strong contribution to UAE economy Local job creation Local reinvestment This naturally boosts a supplier’s ranking in procurement evaluations.	MoIAT ICV official portal.
	Industrial Enablement	Supports companies in localization, R&D facilities, logistics and production optimization. [commenda.io]	Helps companies transition into local manufacturing. Provides Access to Financing for Industrial Projects MoIAT’s Industrial Enablement connects companies with competitive financing, especially through Emirates Development Bank, which supports manufacturers. This financial support makes it easier for companies to invest in: Factory setup Production lines Machinery and equipment R&D infrastructure This is part of the official benefits of Make it in the Emirates Industrial Enablement helps companies start manufacturing in the UAE by providing financing, cheaper utilities, guaranteed buyers, modern technology support, market insights, and access to investors and suppliers.	MoIAT Industrial Support Centre.