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How to Start an Application Service Provisioning Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed application service provisioning business serves Dubai's information services and data-economy market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed application service provisioning businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from TDRA and UAE Data Office oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of data-centre capacity, enterprise cloud demand, and digital-economy targets is exactly where the opportunity lies.
Sources: UAE Digital Economy Strategy, TDRA, Dubai Internet City
The UAE has positioned the data economy as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, with explicit support for hosting and information services.
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Who is this for?
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai information-services market.
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6311.03 - Application Service Provisioning
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed application service provisioning business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as installation of mainframe and similar computers programming consultancy facilities management processing and hosting fall under separate codes.
Other related but distinct services are classified under their own activity codes and not under this one.
In short: if you are operating a licensed application service provisioning business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
No third-party approval is required for this business activity. Your Meydan Free Zone trade licence is sufficient to begin operations under this activity code.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
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References
- ¹ UAE Digital Economy Strategy - https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/finance-and-economy/uae-digital-economy-strategy
- ² TDRA - https://tdra.gov.ae/
- ³ Dubai Internet City - https://dic.ae/
