KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi) Business Setup
Expert KIZAD Business Setup Consultancy
Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), established under Ministerial Resolution No. 88 of 2006, is one of the largest heavy industry and logistics zones in the region, built with direct deep-water access to Khalifa Port. Spanning approximately 417 square kilometres, KIZAD sits between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, close to three international airports (Abu Dhabi International, Al Maktoum International, and Dubai International), giving businesses genuine multimodal access to global markets.
In 2022, KIZAD merged with ZonesCorp (which manages ICAD and other industrial clusters) to form Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), the UAE’s largest consolidated industrial zones authority. KIZAD retains its own distinct identity and Khalifa Port-adjacent infrastructure within this wider KEZAD structure, remaining the preferred jurisdiction for heavy industry, petrochemicals, and large-scale logistics operations.
At FAR Consulting Middle East, we manage KIZAD company formation from structure and activity selection through documentation, licensing, and visa processing.
Start Your KIZAD Company FormationBenefits of Business Setup in KIZAD
KIZAD gives heavy industry and logistics businesses genuine port-adjacent infrastructure alongside standard free zone advantages. Key benefits include:
- Full foreign ownership
- 100% exemption from corporate and personal tax
- Import and export tax exemption
- Full repatriation of capital and profits
- One-stop-shop services, with a single point of contact for plot allocation and land leasing
- Simplified procedures for business setup
- World-class infrastructure and facilities
These advantages make KIZAD especially attractive to heavy manufacturing, petrochemicals, and port-linked logistics businesses.
KIZAD’s Position Within KEZAD
KIZAD’s role within the wider KEZAD structure gives businesses access to a genuinely large-scale industrial ecosystem:
- Direct deep-water access to Khalifa Port
- One of 12 integrated economic zones now under KEZAD Group
- Coverage extending to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Al Dhafra Region
- Strong government backing through AD Ports Group
KIZAD’s port adjacency remains its defining advantage over other industrial clusters under KEZAD, particularly for businesses moving heavy or bulk cargo.
Legal Structures for KIZAD Company Formation
Companies can register in KIZAD through several legal entity types:
- Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC): a separate legal entity suited to industrial and trading operations
- Branch Office of a Local Company: for applicants with an existing company already registered in the UAE
- Branch Office of a Foreign Company: for applicants whose existing company is registered outside the UAE
- Joint Venture Company: for businesses partnering with another entity on a specific project or operation
We help you confirm the right structure based on your ownership and operational plans.
Documents Required for KIZAD Business Setup
Basic requirements for KIZAD business registration include:
- Proof of trade name reservation
- Initial approval from KIZAD Authority
- Passport copies of all shareholders
- Passport and CV copies of the general manager
- Lease or rental agreement for your business facility
- Personal information sheet for the general manager and each shareholder
- Notarized and attested Power of Attorney for the appointment of a legal representative
For a KIZAD Limited Liability Company or representative office, additional documents may be required: attested and notarized legal corporate documents, a company registration certificate for representative offices, and a board resolution for business setup in KIZAD.
Process of KIZAD Company Formation
- Choose your business activity. Confirm your industrial, manufacturing, or logistics activity fits KIZAD’s scope.
- Select your legal structure. Decide between an FZ-LLC, branch, or joint venture structure.
- Reserve your trade name. Confirm your company name meets KIZAD Authority’s naming rules and is available.
- Obtain initial approval. Secure confirmation from KIZAD Authority before proceeding with documentation.
- Prepare and submit your documents. Provide shareholder, manager, and, where applicable, corporate documentation.
- Secure your plot or facility. Complete plot allocation and land leasing, supported by KIZAD’s one-stop-shop services.
- Receive your trade licence. Once documentation and fees are processed, your licence is issued.
- Apply for visas. Process residence visas for shareholders, managers, and employees.
The overall process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Support Services for KIZAD Business Setup
FAR Consulting Middle East is a leading consulting firm in Abu Dhabi, supporting company formation in KIZAD. Our solutions include:
- Company registration application
- Account opening with the Ministry of Labour
- Account opening with the Ministry of Interior
- Establishing your company address
- Processing of legal documents for company formation in KIZAD
We stay involved well beyond licence issuance too, including ongoing compliance and renewal support.
Cost of KIZAD Business Setup
The cost of KIZAD company formation depends on several factors, including your licence type, business activity, plot or facility size, and the number of visas required. Heavy industrial and port-linked logistics activities generally carry different cost structures than a standard trading or service licence, given the scale of infrastructure involved.
Because these variables differ from one business to the next, we review your specific requirements first and then provide a clear, itemized cost estimate, with no hidden fees.
Related UAE Business Setup Services
- Business Setup in Abu Dhabi – mainland, free zone, and offshore options in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi Free Zone Business Setup – compare Abu Dhabi’s free zone options
- Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) – setup for aviation, cargo, and logistics businesses
- ICAD – setup for manufacturing and industrial businesses under KEZAD
- Masdar City – setup for clean energy and sustainability-focused businesses
- UAE Free Zone Business Setup – compare free zones UAE-wide
- Company Liquidation Services – guidance if you ever need to close or restructure your company
Frequently Asked Questions
KIZAD and ICAD’s managing authority, ZonesCorp, merged in 2022 to form Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). Both retain their own distinct identity and infrastructure within this wider KEZAD structure.
KIZAD has direct deep-water access to Khalifa Port, making it especially suited to heavy industry, petrochemicals, and large-scale port-linked logistics operations.
Yes. KIZAD allows full foreign ownership for investors.
Businesses can register as an FZ-LLC, a branch of a local or foreign company, or a joint venture company.
The process typically takes two to four weeks, depending on your business activity and how quickly documents are ready.
Cost depends on your licence type, business activity, plot or facility size, and number of visas. We provide a clear, itemized estimate once we understand your specific plans.