Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Local Sponsor
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their publishing business without needing a UAE national partner. This makes it a straightforward entry point for global publishers expanding into the MENA region.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Businesses licensed under Meydan Free Zone benefit from zero corporate tax on qualifying income alongside full profit repatriation. This financial structure significantly improves margins for publishers operating across regional markets.
No Third-Party Approval Required to Launch
Unlike some regulated publishing activities, online publishing of statistics or other information under activity code 5819.02 requires no third-party government approval beyond your Meydan Free Zone trade licence. You can begin operations as soon as your licence is issued.
AML Compliance Exemption Reduces Regulatory Burden
This specific business activity is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements, simplifying your operational obligations from day one. That means less administrative overhead and faster time to revenue.
Backed by UAE's Strategic Publishing Ambitions
The UAE has embedded media and knowledge industries as strategic pillars under both We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, creating sustained government support for publishing ventures. This policy environment translates into long-term market stability for licensed operators.
Clear Scope Keeps Licensing Clean and Focused
Activity code 5819.02 covers core online publishing of statistics and information but explicitly excludes unrelated activities like retail software sales or advertising newspaper publishing. Knowing exactly what is and is not included helps you structure your business correctly from the outset.
Fully Digital Licensing Process Saves Time and Cost
Meydan Free Zone operates a fully digital application and licensing process, removing the need for in-person visits or paper-heavy bureaucracy. This makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective routes into the Dubai publishing market for both local founders and international entrants.
How to Start an Online Publishing of Statistics or Other Information Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed on-line publishing of statistics or other information business serves Dubai's media, publishing, and knowledge economy.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed on-line publishing of statistics or other information businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from UAE Media Council oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of media-hub status, regional distribution reach, and rising digital readership is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned media and knowledge as strategic pillars under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, with explicit support for publishing and content.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Publishers and imprints | Founders launching trade, academic, children's, or specialist imprints acquiring rights and producing titles in print and digital. |
| Periodical and digital-first operators | Teams publishing consumer, B2B, specialist, or online-first periodicals, newsletters, and digital titles. |
| International publishers entering MENA | Global publishing groups setting up a Dubai entity to manage regional rights, localisation, and distribution. |
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 publishing market.
5819.02 - Online Publishing of Statistics or Other Information
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed on-line publishing of statistics or other information business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. On-Line Publishing Of Statistics Or Other Information core services provided to clients under the activity code. |
| Regulated Delivery | Compliance-led. Services delivered under the relevant regulatory framework, standards, and reporting obligations. |
| Client Engagement | Commercial scope. Onboarding, contracting, and ongoing service delivery to retail, corporate, or institutional clients as applicable. |
| Support and Operations | Operational back-office. Systems, staffing, documentation, and operational support needed to run the licensed activity. |
| Regional Reach | Market coverage. Delivery to clients across Dubai, the wider UAE, and regional markets within the scope of this activity. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Activities such as retail sale of software; publishing of advertising newspapers 6311 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 on-line publishing of statistics or other information business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Planning to set up your business in Dubai? Explore our comprehensive guide on How to Start a Book and Periodical Publishing Business in Dubai, covering licensing requirements, costs, approvals, and the step-by-step business setup process.
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.
