Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Restrictions
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone allows international founders to retain full ownership of their news agency. There are no local sponsor requirements, making it straightforward for global information-services groups to establish a Dubai entity.
Clear Regulatory Framework From Day One
News agency operations in Dubai fall under TDRA and UAE Data Office oversight, giving operators a defined compliance structure to work within. This clarity reduces uncertainty and supports confident long-term planning.
Zero Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
Qualifying income earned through a Meydan Free Zone entity is subject to zero corporate tax, preserving more revenue for reinvestment or repatriation. Full profit repatriation is also permitted, with no restrictions on moving funds out of the UAE.
Third-Party Approval Is Required Before Licensing
Before a trade licence is issued, your operational model, facility setup, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority. Preparing this documentation thoroughly in advance will help avoid delays.
Strong Regional Distribution Reach Included
A licensed news agency operating from Dubai can serve clients across the UAE and broader regional markets within the scope of the activity code. This built-in regional reach makes Dubai a practical hub for information-services businesses targeting the Middle East.
Aligned With UAE Digital Economy Strategy 2031
The UAE has designated the data and information economy as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy. News agency and information-services businesses directly benefit from the government investment and infrastructure that supports this agenda.
Fully Digital Licensing Process Saves Time
Meydan Free Zone operates a fully digital licensing process, reducing paperwork and allowing founders to progress through setup efficiently. This is particularly valuable for international operators who need a fast, cost-effective route into the Dubai market.
Start a News Agency in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed news agency business servesDubai'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 news agency 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.
The UAE has positioned the data economy asa strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy, with explicit support for hosting and information services.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Hosting and data-service operators | Businesses providing hosting, data processing, streaming, and application infrastructure to enterprise and consumer clients. |
| Information and content-service providers | Teams running news, search, portal, directory, or aggregated information services for regional audiences. |
| International information-services groups | Global firms establishing a Dubai entity for regional hosting, data, and information services. |
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.
6391.99 - News Agency
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed news agency business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, systems, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. News Agency 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 news agency 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 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
³ Dubai Internet City - https://dic.ae/
