Table of Contents
Topic Summary
A Market With a Massive Supply Gap
The UAE apparel market generates USD 10.88 billion in annual revenue, yet only around 170 garment manufacturers operate in the country. The UAE imports USD 7.08 billion in textiles annually while exporting just USD 4.52 billion, signaling strong unmet production demand.
Government Strategy Backs Manufacturing Growth
The UAE's Operation 300bn industrial strategy is backed by AED 30 billion in Emirates Development Bank financing and explicitly targets sectors like textiles. This creates a policy-driven tailwind for new manufacturers entering the market.
Global Brands Are Nearshoring to the Middle East
McKinsey's State of Fashion 2026 reports that tariff disruptions are pushing global brands to diversify production away from Asia. The Middle East, including the UAE, is emerging as a nearshoring destination to meet this demand.
One License Covers a Wide Range of Apparel
Activity code 1410.00 covers the full production cycle for garments made from woven, knitted, non-woven, leather, or rubberised materials. This includes everything from outerwear and nightwear to babywear, sportswear, and headwear accessories.
Know What Falls Outside Your License Scope
The manufacturing license excludes fur apparel (except headgear), rubber or plastic garments sealed rather than stitched, safety clothing, and footwear. Retail, repair services, and sports safety gear also fall outside this activity's coverage.
Dubai Municipality Approval Is Required Post-License
After obtaining your trade license through Meydan Free Zone, third-party approval from Dubai Municipality is a mandatory next step. The business activity is exempt from Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements.
Meydan Free Zone Offers Investor-Friendly Setup
Meydan Free Zone provides 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. Licenses can be issued in as little as 60 minutes through a fully remote process.
How to Start a Wearing Apparel Manufacturing Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
Statista's research¹ shows that the UAE apparel market generates USD 10.88 billion in annual revenue, yet the country hosts only around 170 garment manufacturers², and international brands control roughly 65% of the market². According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce³, the UAE's clothing and textile sector is projected to reach USD 56 billion. The supply gap is stark: the country imports USD 7.08 billion in textiles annually while exporting just USD 4.52 billion². That's where the potential sits.
The timing favours new entrants. The UAE government's Operation 300bn⁴ industrial strategy, backed by AED 30 billion in Emirates Development Bank financing, explicitly targets manufacturing growth, including textiles. And McKinsey's State of Fashion 2026⁵ reports that tariff disruptions are pushing global brands to diversify production away from Asia, creating nearshoring demand in the Middle East.
Who is this for?
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From independent ateliers to large-scale cut-make-trim operations, the global appetite for clothing never stops. Whether you're launching your own label or manufacturing for established brands, it starts with the right license. Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a license in as little as 60 minutes, fully remote.
1410.00 - Manufacture of wearing apparel, except fur apparel
Under this activity, you are in the business of manufacturing garments and clothing. The material used may be of any kind, woven, knitted, crocheted, non-woven, or even leather and composition leather, and may be coated, impregnated, or rubberised. The activity covers the full production cycle from cutting through to finishing.
| Leather & workwear | Outerwear | Nightwear | Babywear & sportswear | Headwear & accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather apparel, work wear & industrial accessories | Coats, suits, ensembles, jackets, trousers, skirts | Shirts, T-shirts, underpants, briefs, pyjamas, nightdresses, dressing gowns, blouses, slips, brassieres, corsets | Babies' garments, tracksuits, ski suits, swimwear | Hats, caps, gloves, belts, shawls, ties, cravats, hairnets |
| Wearing apparel of leather or composition leather, including industrial accessories such as welder's aprons, at any scale. | Woven, knitted or crocheted fabric, non-wovens etc. for men, women and children. | Covers nightwear made of woven, knitted or crocheted fabric, lace etc. for men, women and children. | Infant clothing and athletic garments including swimwear at any scale. | Also covers custom tailoring, manufacture of headgear of fur skins, textile footwear without applied soles, and parts of products listed. |
| FAMOUS UAE PRODUCERS | FAMOUS UAE PRODUCERS | FAMOUS UAE PRODUCERS | FAMOUS UAE PRODUCERS | UAE CONTEXT |
| AMCO Apparel, Gulf Stream Garments, Atraco Group, Dream Uniforms | Splash Fashions, Redtag, The Apparel LLC, Sirus Clothes | Emirates Apparel, Whiteline Dubai, Reem Clothing | Sun & Sand Sports, Geebee Garments, Alpine Creations | 170 garment manufacturers operate across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah; the UAE exports to 52+ countries |
There are some things this activity does not cover, however. It excludes the manufacture of wearing apparel of fur skins (except headgear), footwear, wearing apparel of rubber or plastics not assembled by stitching but merely sealed together, leather sports gloves and sports headgear, safety headgear (except sports headgear), fire-resistant and protective safety clothing, and the repair of wearing apparel.
In practice: you are the production floor behind the label. But if you venture into retail, repair, safety gear, or footwear, that falls out of your scope.
Third-Party Approval:
Third-party approval is required from Dubai Municipality (DM) after your trade license is issued.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:
This business activity is exempt from this requirement.
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Let's ConnectReference
¹ Statista — Apparel Market, United Arab Emirates
² Ken Research — UAE Textile Market 2019–2030
³ Dubai Chamber of Commerce (via The Dollar Business)
⁴ UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology — Operation 300bn
⁵ McKinsey & Company / Business of Fashion — The State of Fashion 2026
