The Jebel Ali Free Zone, created in 1985, was the first of these economic zones in Dubai, is an effort to diversify and strengthen Dubai's economic base. This free zone offers facilities to satisfy the needs of virtually every business and industrial enterprise. The free zone is also noted for the considerable incentives it offers, most importantly that companies operating in the zone are not required to pay personal or corporate taxes for a period of 15 years. In addition, this 15-year period is renewable for another 15 years.

The government has since invested billions of dollars into infrastructure and programs to coax foreign investors to the region. This Free Zone is not entirely tax free, but its incentives make it come very close. Companies which are run within the Jebel Ali Free Zone are given a total pass on all corporate and personal taxation for a period of fifteen years. At the end of this fifteen year period, a request may be made to be tax exempt for another fifteen years - in effect offering the potential for an indefinite tax free status. In addition, there are no import or export taxes on companies within the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

In the 1990s, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City were created. These zones offer many of the same benefits of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, but cater more to media and communications companies. In these zones, tax free status is granted for a fifty year period initially.

Dubai Internet City (DIC) provides a strategic and cost effective platform for ICT companies targeting emerging markets in a vast region extending from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, and from Africa to Central Asia.

Dubai Internet City (DIC) is the first complete information technology and telecommunications centre to have been built inside a free trade zone. It is also the biggest IT complex in the Middle East, and has one of the largest Internet Protocol telephony systems in the world. Dubai Internet City offers ready-to-operate, fully serviced office space complete with the up-to-date infrastructure that high-tech companies require. Companies can also take land on a renewable lease of up to 50 years and build their own offices.

Dubai Media City (DMC) part of Dubai Holding is a tax free zone within Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has been built by the Dubai government to boost UAE's media foothold, and has become a regional hub for media organizations ranging from, news agencies, publishing, online media, advertising, production, and broadcast facilities. The ground work for infrastructure was already laid for firms to setup easily and its visa and operational procedures are relaxed for firms operating within DMC.

Dubai Media City (DMC) intends to become the region's media hub. Established by the Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority, DMC offers state-of the-art infrastructure that will enable media-related enterprises to operate globally out of Dubai. Broadcasting, publishing, advertising, public relations, research, music, and postproduction companies are being offered a working environment in which they can thrive in the Middle East.

The Dubai International Financial Centre was created in 2004, following in the tradition of the Jebel Ali Free Zone and the Dubai Internet and Media Cities. The International Financial Centre is entirely tax free for corporations operating within its borders, with no constraints on how long they can remain tax free.

The Dubai International Financial Center or DIFC is an onshore capital market designated as a financial free zone designed to create a unique financial services cluster economy for wealth creation initiatives. Banking Services, Capital Markets, Asset Management and Fund Registration, Reinsurance, Islamic Finance and Back Office Operations are the six focus areas of this financial center. Located behind Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC offers commercial activities in a landscaped environment with residential towers. The offices of DIFC will employ the highest standards of communication technology, with a functional, integrated infrastructure, in addition to a fully electronic multi-class trading exchange. DIFC is intended as a cost-effective and functional place to operate.

The vision of the DIFC is to shape tomorrow's financial map as a global gateway for capital and investment. Its mission is to be a catalyst for regional economic growth, development and diversification by positioning the DIFC as a globally recognised financial centre.

Dubai Airport Free Zone was officially established by the Government of Dubai in 1996. Establishing the Free Zone within the boundary of Dubai International Airport was in line with the greater strategy of our Government, to develop Dubai as a successful center for business, trade and investment.

DAFZA is one of the most recently established free zones in the UAE, grants licenses to companies with an international reputation who intend to invest properly in environment-friendly projects that are not labour-intensive.

The Dubai Airport Free Zone is built around a high quality infrastructure providing digital communications, reliable power and other utilities supporting the needs of sophisticated high technology companies. This free zone is a major new step in Dubai's evolution from a distribution hub to a manufacturing centre, and in this respect complements the already well-established Jebel Ali Free Zone.

DAFZA has become one of the few free zones in the region, and the first in UAE, to receive ISO 9001:2000 certification. More than 125 companies have been registered and about 500 applications have been received for companies intending to establish in the zone.