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How to Start an Other Publishing Activities Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed other publishing activities 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 other publishing activities 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 - Other Publishing Activities
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed other publishing activities business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Other Publishing Activities 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. Related but distinct services fall under separate activity codes.
Activities that are separately regulated or that belong to a different industry class are classified under their own codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed other publishing activities business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your operational model, facility, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ IMARC Group - UAE Publishing Market (2025) - https://www.imarcgroup.com/uae-publishing-market
- ² Emirates Publishers Association - https://www.epa.org.ae/
- ³ UAE Media Council - https://uaemediacouncil.gov.ae/en
