Glossary
Emirate
One of the seven federated states of the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Free zone
A geographic area with its own regulator where companies can be fully foreign-owned and benefit from specific customs and tax rules. The UAE has dozens.
Mainland
The territory outside the free zones, where companies are licensed by the economic department of their emirate.
Trade license
The permit issued by an emirate authority or a free zone that allows a company to carry out its activities. Its number identifies the company in its emirate.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre, a financial free zone with its own legal framework.
ADGM
Abu Dhabi Global Market, the financial free zone of Abu Dhabi.
JAFZA
Jebel Ali Free Zone, one of the largest free zones in the world, around the Jebel Ali port in Dubai.
DMCC
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, a free zone that includes Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
ISIC
International Standard Industrial Classification of economic activities of the United Nations.
PDPL
The UAE federal personal data protection law, Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021.
ODbL
Open Database License, the terms under which OpenStreetMap data can be reused, with attribution.
Generic email
A functional organisation address such as info@ or sales@, as opposed to a personal address.