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Umm Al Quwain · Free zone

UAQ Free Trade Zone

Operator: UAQ FTZ

A government free zone in Umm Al Quwain that began in 1987 as Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone. It operates from Ahmed Bin Rashid Port and Umm Al Thoub, and leases offices, warehouses, land plots and labour accommodation.

See it on the map
Setup
Free zone
Uses
Warehousing, Light industry, Manufacturing, Trade

Best for

  • Small and mid-sized importers serving the northern emirates
  • Light manufacturing, assembly and repacking
  • Firms that want to build on a land lease of up to 25 years
  • Businesses using the port next door

Consider elsewhere if

  • You sell mainly to UAE customers and want a mainland licence
  • Your process needs high power from day one, as standard warehouse supply is 15 kW to 36 kW
  • You need deeper berths, as the port lists a maximum depth alongside of 10 metres

Free zone licensing

Companies here are free zone entities: an FZE, an FZC or a branch. UAQ FTZ states a free zone licence lets you trade inside the free zone or outside the UAE, and sales into the local market go through an agent or distributor. It is a designated free zone under Cabinet Decision No. 54 of 2023.

Tenure. Land plots are leased for short or long terms, up to 25 years and renewable, for tenants to build their own commercial or industrial facilities.

Who locates here

  • General trading companies
  • Light manufacturers and assemblers
  • Storage and repacking businesses
  • Small and medium-sized businesses

Property

Pre-built warehouses for storage and light manufacturing, fitted with an office, pantry and toilets. Offices, co-working space and a G+3 labour accommodation block.

Formats. Warehouse units, Industrial land plots, Offices and co-working, Labour accommodation

UAQ FTZ lists warehouse eaves heights from 7.2 metres and a standard power supply of 15 kW to 36 kW, upgradable. Land plots have direct access to the E311.

Our view for tenants

UAQ FTZ suits importers, traders and light manufacturers that want a free zone base on the E311. Standard warehouse power is modest, so check supply early if you run machinery. Sales into the UAE market need an agent or distributor.

Our view for investors

UAQ FTZ is government run and leases land for up to 25 years, which sets the frame for any development on its plots. The free zone says it is in its second phase of development. It markets itself mainly to SMEs, so a larger scheme would need demand from bigger tenants tested first.

Notable

  • Hutchison Ports UAQ. Operates the four-berth container and general cargo port at Ahmed Bin Rashid Port, next to the free zone. hutchisonportsuaq.com

Other locations in Umm Al Quwain

All of Umm Al Quwain

Sources

Reviewed 7 Oct 2026.

Drive times: Valhalla routing on OpenStreetMap data (valhalla1.openstreetmap.de), car, free-flowing traffic, computed 7 Oct 2026.

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