Largest Integrated Economic Zone in the UAE
550 km² across multiple specialised industrial clusters (KEZAD Polymers Park, KEZAD Auto, KEZAD Food, KEZAD Logistics). Industrial-scale plot availability that simply doesn't exist in Dubai free zones.
KEZAD Free Zone
Company Formation
Set up in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi — launched by AD Ports Group in 2022, 12 integrated economic zones covering 550 sq km. The UAE's largest industrial cluster.
- 100% Ownership
- Launched 2022 by AD Ports
- 12 Economic Zones
- Khalifa Port Adjacent
- Dual Licence Available
KEZAD — Abu Dhabi's Integrated Industrial and Trade Ecosystem
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) was launched by AD Ports Group on 19 September 2022, consolidating the former KIZAD and ZonesCorp into the UAE's largest industrial cluster — 12 integrated economic zones spanning 550 square kilometres, including 100 designated as free zones, near Khalifa Port along the E11 Highway.
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi was launched by AD Ports Group on 19 September 2022 as a consolidation of the long-running Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and the Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp). The merger created the UAE's largest single industrial and trade ecosystem — 12 integrated economic zones spanning 550 square kilometres, with 100 square kilometres designated as free zones. According to AD Ports Group, KEZAD now accounts for 55% of the UAE's total industrial area and is expected to contribute up to 15% of Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP by 2030.
The zone's positioning is unapologetically industrial-and-trade. KEZAD sits near Khalifa Port — Abu Dhabi's deep-water container port — and runs along the E11 Highway midway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Its intermodal infrastructure links sea, air, road and rail in a single corridor, giving member companies efficient access to more than 4.5 billion consumers across four time zones. For manufacturers, traders, logistics operators and industrial supply chains, KEZAD is the natural choice when scale, port access and a federal-grade industrial environment matter.
Best known for: Heavy industry, Khalifa Port & polymers
Why KEZAD
KEZAD — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi — was formed by consolidating KIZAD and Abu Dhabi's industrial cities under a single authority (AD Ports Group). 550 km² total area — the largest integrated economic zone in the UAE and one of the largest globally. Adjacent to Khalifa Port, the UAE's flagship deep-water container port. The default Abu Dhabi answer for heavy industry, polymers, metals, food processing, and any business needing deep-water port access.
Adjacent to Khalifa Port (Deep-Water)
Khalifa Port is the UAE's flagship deep-water container port — 18m+ draft (up to 18.5m at the newest terminals), semi-automated terminal operations, ~10M TEU annual capacity. KEZAD tenants get direct conveyor and ro-ro access, not just road-haul.
Heavy-Industry Specialty
KEZAD's licence framework is purpose-built for energy-intensive and bulk-handling sectors — polymers, metals, building materials, food processing, automotive components. Specific regulatory regimes for industrial chemicals and hazardous materials handling.
Designated Zone Status
KEZAD is a Designated Zone under Cabinet 59/2017. Combined with Khalifa Port adjacency, this is a major VAT advantage for industrial-scale traders moving bulk goods through the UAE.
Direct Rail + Road Connectivity
Etihad Rail (UAE national rail network) terminus inside KEZAD provides bulk-freight access to Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC corridor. Combined with Khalifa Port and Abu Dhabi International Airport (45 min), KEZAD is the most multimodal logistics zone in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Sovereign Backing
AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi sovereign entity) operates KEZAD directly. The political will and sovereign-funded infrastructure budget is materially larger than any other UAE industrial-zone authority — translates into faster approvals, larger-scale incentives, and direct ADQ engagement for major investments.
Ideal for
- Heavy & bulk manufacturing
- Polymers, petrochemicals, plastics processing
- Metals & engineering (steel, aluminium fabrication)
- Food & beverage processing at scale
- Energy-intensive industries (data centres, smelting)
- Bulk-cargo logistics & port-adjacent operations
KEZAD Licence Categories
KEZAD issues three licence families aligned to its industrial and trade focus. The Dual Licence option lets a single entity operate in both the free zone and on the UAE mainland.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing, assembly, packaging, import and export. The Industrial Licence is KEZAD's flagship category and the natural fit for the zone's industrial cluster.
- Heavy and light manufacturing
- Metals processing (steel, aluminium)
- Polymers and chemical processing
- Food processing and packaging
- Industrial assembly and component production
Trading & General Trading
For import, export, distribution, stocking and warehousing operations. Suits trading houses leveraging Khalifa Port and the wider AD Ports network.
- General trading and multi-product distribution
- Bonded warehousing and stocking
- Import, export and re-export
- Specialist commodity trading
- Petrochemicals and industrial trading
Service & Dual Licence
Service Licence covers management, consulting, logistics, restaurants and catering. The KEZAD Dual Licence lets a single entity operate both inside the free zone and on the UAE mainland.
- Logistics and supply-chain services
- Management and engineering consultancy
- Catering and industrial services
- Dual Licence — free zone + mainland
- Restaurant and worker amenities
Legal Structures Under KEZAD
KEZAD recognises two operating structures — covering new entities and extensions of existing groups.
Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)
KEZAD's standard structure. Full foreign ownership with multiple shareholders permitted and limited-liability protection. The default for trading, industrial and service businesses.
Branch of an Existing Company
Branch of a UAE or overseas parent. Operates under the parent's name and is used by established international manufacturers, traders and logistics groups extending into KEZAD.
How a KEZAD Company Is Formed
KEZAD runs incorporation through AD Ports Group's licensing services. Standard setups complete inside seven to ten working days; industrial activities with site builds can take longer.
- 01
Initial Consultation & Activity Scoping
Match the planned operations to one of KEZAD's 12 economic zones and the right licence category — Industrial, Trading, Service or the Dual Licence option.
- 02
Reserve the Trade Name
Submit the proposed company name through KEZAD's licensing services. UAE-wide naming rules apply.
- 03
Prepare Documents & Business Plan
Compile shareholder documents, business plan and any required sector approvals — industrial activities typically need MoIAT clearance on top of the KEZAD licence.
- 04
Submit the Licence Application
Submit the application to KEZAD with the required fees. Industrial applications include a site-allocation step within the chosen specialised zone.
- 05
Lease Office, Warehouse or Industrial Land
Lease the right facility — office, fitted warehouse, light-industrial unit or built-to-suit land plot. Facility type drives visa quota and licence category.
- 06
Receive Licence, Bank & Visas
KEZAD issues the trade licence. The company can then open a corporate bank account and apply for investor and employee visas — alongside Emirates ID and medicals.
Documents Required for KEZAD Setup
Standard document set for individual shareholders. Corporate shareholders need additional KYC documents. Industrial activities require sector approvals.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors (valid for at least 6 months)
- UAE residence visa copy for residents in the country
- Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Passport-sized photographs of shareholders
- Three proposed trade names for reservation
- Business plan describing the activity and operating model
- Proof of address and bank reference letter where requested
- For corporate shareholders: parent licence, MoA, board resolution, UBO list, incumbency certificate
Why Choose KEZAD for Your Free Zone Setup
KEZAD is built for businesses that need serious industrial infrastructure, deep-water port access and a federal-grade economic environment.
12 integrated economic zones covering 550 sq km — UAE's largest industrial cluster
Accounts for 55% of the UAE's total industrial area
Expected to contribute up to 15% of Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP by 2030
100% foreign ownership with full capital and profit repatriation
0% corporate tax on qualifying income under the Qualifying Free Zone Person regime
Direct access to Khalifa Port — Abu Dhabi's flagship deep-water container terminal
Intermodal infrastructure: sea, air, road and rail connectivity in one corridor
Dual Licence option — single entity, free zone and mainland operations
Tax & Compliance Position — KEZAD
KEZAD entities follow the UAE Free Zone Corporate Tax regime. Designated Zone status combined with manufacturing-income QFZP eligibility is particularly relevant — KEZAD's industrial-tenant base routinely qualifies for both regimes.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% Headline · 0% QFZP on Qualifying Income
Corporate Tax at 9% above AED 375,000. KEZAD entities can elect QFZP for 0% on Qualifying Income. Manufacturing income, distribution income from a Designated Zone, and logistics income to outside-UAE customers are all on the Qualifying Activities list under Ministerial Decision 265/2023.
QFZP eligibilityKEZAD's physical-manufacturing tenant profile makes substance evidence simple — plant, equipment, labour, operating expenditure are all in the Free Zone. Manufacturing activity is explicitly listed as a Qualifying Activity.
UAE VAT
5% Standard Rate · Designated Zone Status
KEZAD is a Designated Zone under Cabinet 59/2017. Goods movements between KEZAD and other Designated Zones, or KEZAD-to-export, can fall outside the scope of UAE VAT. Combined with Khalifa Port bonded warehousing, this is a real operational advantage.
✓ Designated ZoneKEZAD's Designated Zone status combined with deep-water port access is the single biggest commercial reason heavy-industrial businesses pick KEZAD over comparable zones.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Annual Corporate Tax return (9 months from FY-end)
- VAT returns per FTA assignment (quarterly or monthly)
- Audited financial statements (mandatory for QFZP)
- Customs registrations & transit documentation (port operations)
- Industrial-licence renewal with KEZAD + sector permits
- ESR notification + report (where in scope)
- UBO register maintenance
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Ministerial Decision 265/2023 (Qualifying activities) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · Cabinet Decision 59/2017 (Designated Zones) · AD Ports Group / KEZAD Authority
Sectors Active in KEZAD
KEZAD's member base is anchored in industrial production, logistics and the supply chains that sit around port and rail infrastructure.
Heavy Industrial
Logistics & Supply Chain
Trading & Re-Export
Petrochemicals & Polymers
Metals & Materials
Food Processing
Industrial Services
Light Industrial & Tech
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco runs KEZAD engagements end-to-end — from picking the right specialised zone and licence through to a banked, visa-ready entity registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Zone & Licence Advisory
We match the business model to one of KEZAD's 12 economic zones and the right licence category — Industrial, Trading, Service or the Dual Licence option.
Industrial Structuring
Holding, JV and supply-chain structures designed for manufacturing, logistics and industrial operators — including MoIAT clearance planning where needed.
Application & MoA
Memorandum of Association drafted to KEZAD's current template and the application taken through AD Ports Group's licensing services.
Corporate Bank Account
Introductions to UAE banks that actively onboard KEZAD entities, plus the compliance file the bank's KYC will require.
Investor & Employee Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas processed end-to-end with Emirates ID and medicals coordinated.
Corporate Tax & VAT
FTA registrations and ongoing filings — including QFZP eligibility assessment for the 0% qualifying-income rate.
Meet Our Specialists
Five partner-level advisors covering every leg of a KEZAD setup — formation, sector positioning, tax and ongoing compliance.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for KEZAD
Three things that come up in every KEZAD engagement.
Industrial & Port Expertise
Live engagements with manufacturers, traders and logistics operators inside KEZAD means we know which specialised zone, lease type and sector clearance actually fits each profile.
End-to-End Delivery
Licence, MoA, industrial lease, sector clearance, bank, visa and tax — handled by one team on one engagement letter.
Built for Industrial Realities
Recommendations shaped by how heavy industry, manufacturing and port-adjacent trading actually operate — including Dual Licence positioning when the business needs both free-zone and mainland reach.
Compare Other UAE Free Zones
KEZAD suits manufacturers, traders, logistics operators and heavy-industrial businesses. Other zones serve different ecosystems — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE companies through Avyanco.
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
KEZAD Free Zone — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about setting up in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi.
Are KIZAD and KEZAD the same?
Yes — KEZAD is the new name for what used to be KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi). On 19 September 2022, AD Ports Group consolidated KIZAD and the Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) into a single brand: KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi). The merger created the UAE's largest single industrial and trade ecosystem — 12 economic zones across 550 sq km.
Who operates KEZAD?
KEZAD is operated by AD Ports Group through its Economic Cities and Free Zones cluster — the same group that operates Khalifa Port. According to AD Ports Group, KEZAD accounts for 55% of the UAE's total industrial area and is expected to contribute up to 15% of Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP by 2030.
What is the KEZAD Dual Licence?
The Dual Licence is a KEZAD arrangement that lets a single company operate both inside the free zone and on the UAE mainland simultaneously. It allows direct trading with local UAE customers without needing a separate mainland licence or a local agent. We assess Dual Licence fit at the planning stage.
Can a foreign founder own 100% of a KEZAD company?
Yes — KEZAD permits full foreign ownership across both legal structures (FZ-LLC and Branch) with no UAE-national shareholder requirement.
How long does KEZAD company formation take?
Standard KEZAD setups complete in seven to ten working days once the document set is ready. Industrial activities that need Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) clearance or built-to-suit land allocation can add several weeks for site approval and construction planning.
Is KEZAD recognised for the 0% UAE Corporate Tax rate?
KEZAD is recognised among the UAE's free zones for Corporate Tax purposes. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income earned by a Qualifying Free Zone Person under the Federal Tax Authority's regime. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard 9% rate. We assess QFZP eligibility at the planning stage.
What infrastructure does KEZAD offer?
KEZAD pairs direct access to Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi's flagship deep-water container terminal) with intermodal infrastructure linking sea, air, road and rail in one corridor. The zone's E11 Highway frontage puts members midway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with access to over 4.5 billion consumers across four time zones.
Can a KEZAD company operate remotely or with a virtual office?
Virtual office and minimal-footprint arrangements are available for some KEZAD licence categories, though most industrial and trading licences require a physical facility. The facility type drives the visa quota the company can access.
Verification & independence
Content verified against the live Avyanco site and publicly verifiable secondary sources as of June 2026 — including AD Ports Group's official launch announcement for KEZAD. The official kezad.ae About page returned a TLS certificate error during compilation, so verification triangulated across multiple independent sources. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of KEZAD, AD Ports Group and the Government of Abu Dhabi, not endorsed by any of them, and not affiliated with any UAE government agency.
KEZAD specialised-zone allocation rules, MoIAT industrial clearances, Dual Licence arrangements and Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with KEZAD, AD Ports Group, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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