Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Choose the Right Free Zone for Your Business
Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. Its fully digital licensing process makes it one of the fastest and most cost-effective entry points into Dubai's creative-industries market.
Understand Exactly What This Licence Covers
Activity code 5920.01 covers the licensed production of original master recordings, including tapes and CDs, delivered under relevant regulatory standards. Core operations span client onboarding, contracting, production delivery, and back-office support across Dubai and wider regional markets.
Know Who This Business Model Suits
This licence is designed for production companies, post-production specialists, rights managers, and international studios establishing a MENA-facing entity. Global networks and streamers looking for a licensed Dubai base for regional commissioning are also well-positioned to benefit.
Secure Third-Party Approval Before Licensing
This activity requires regulatory clearance from a relevant authority before your trade licence is issued. Your operational model, facility setup, and supporting documentation must all be reviewed and approved as part of the process.
Operate Within a Clear Regulatory Framework
Licensed production businesses in Dubai fall under UAE Media Council and Dubai Film and TV Commission oversight, providing a structured compliance environment. This framework supports credibility with regional distributors, streaming platforms, and institutional clients.
Recognise What Falls Outside This Activity
Related but distinct services — such as separately regulated production categories or different industry classes — are classified under their own activity codes. If your planned service sits outside the core production of original master recordings scope, a different licence may be required.
Tap Into Dubai's Strategic Creative-Industries Push
The UAE has embedded creative industries as a strategic pillar under both the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with direct support for film, video, and music production. Streaming-led commissioning and strong regional content demand make this a well-timed market entry.
How to Start a Production of Original Master Recordings, Such as Tapes, CDs Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed production of original business serves Dubai's film, video, music, and creative-industries market.¹
Regional demand, government investment in the sector, and strong enterprise and consumer need drive sustained demand for licensed production of original businesses.²
For operators, this activity benefits from UAE Media Council and Dubai Film and TV Commission oversight, a clear regulatory framework, and strong regional distribution reach.³
That combination of production infrastructure, regional content demand, and streaming-led commissioning is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned creative industries as a strategic pillar under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and We the UAE 2031, with explicit support for film, video, and music production.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Production companies and studios | Founders and operators producing films, series, commercials, videos, or music for regional and global clients. |
| Post-production and distribution specialists | Businesses focused on editing, sound, VFX, distribution, or rights management. |
| International production groups | Global studios, networks, and streamers establishing a licensed Dubai entity for MENA operations. |
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 creative-industries market.
5920.01 - Production of Original Master Recordings, Such as Tapes, CDs
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed production of original business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Production Of Original 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 production of original business, you are in. If you are delivering a related but distinct service that falls under another activity, you are not.
Compliance
THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL
This activity requires pre-approval from the National Media Authority before a business license can be issued by Meydan Free Zone.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
