Developed by Emaar, the complex holds free-zone status; according to public sources, licensing of its tenants has historically run through Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). For a jewellery brand that translates into 100% foreign ownership, the customs advantages of a free zone and a high-footfall address in the heart of the city.
Why businesses choose DGDP
A jewellery business is demanding about location and infrastructure: security, buyer traffic and proximity to production all matter. DGDP delivers on all three at once.
- A purpose-built home for the jewellery sector: showrooms, workshops and offices in one complex
- A Sheikh Zayed Road location that brings tourist and shopper footfall with no spend on promoting the address
- The option to combine retail and production, selling in the showroom what was crafted in the workshop next door
- Free-zone status: 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
- Security infrastructure designed for handling precious metals and stones
- Proximity to Dubai’s wider jewellery cluster, including the exchange infrastructure at DMCC
Steps to register a company in DGDP
The route is standard for a specialised zone: approve the activity, secure the premises, obtain the licence. The DGDP twist is that your choice of unit shapes the type of licence you receive.
- Choose your activity: trading in gold and stones, manufacturing, cutting or jewellery repair
- Reserve the company name and secure initial approval from the park administration
- Prepare the paperwork: shareholders’ passports, a business description and beneficial-owner details
- Select the premises (showroom, workshop or office); trading in precious metals may trigger a financial-standing check
- Pay the fees and receive your trading or manufacturing licence
- Open a corporate bank account and arrange residence visas for your team
Allow two to four weeks for the full process: compliance checks in the precious-metals segment are stricter than usual, and banks take longer to review such companies. Exact timelines depend on your activity and the unit you choose.
Cost of setting up a company in DGDP (2026)
The park publishes no public price list: your cost is built from the licence and the rent on a specific unit, and the administration confirms it. The budget breaks down as follows.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fees | On request | One-off payments at company formation |
| Licence (trading or manufacturing) | On request | Annual, depends on the activity |
| Showroom rent | On request | Depends on floor area and location within the complex |
| Workshop or office rent | On request | Production units are priced separately |
| Residence visa | On request | Medical test and Emirates ID paid separately |
For companies trading in precious metals and stones, the administration may ask for proof of financial standing; the exact requirement depends on the activity. Request a written estimate before you sign the lease: the premises are the single largest line in this budget.
Taxation in DGDP
Park tenants fall under the standard UAE tax regime: corporate tax of 9% on annual profit above AED 375,000 and 0% below that threshold. A company that meets the qualifying-activity and substance conditions can gain Qualifying Free Zone Person status, with a 0% rate on qualifying income. VAT is 5%; wholesale transactions in investment-grade gold in the UAE are governed by special rules, including a reverse-charge mechanism, which should be checked against the FTA’s current position. Bookkeeping and filing through EmaraTax are mandatory.
Who DGDP is right for
- Wholesale and retail traders in gold, diamonds and precious stones
- Manufacturers and workshops: cutting, crafting and repairing jewellery
- Jewellery brands that need a showroom with ready-made footfall on Sheikh Zayed Road
“DGDP is a rare example of a zone where a jewellery brand runs the full cycle: a piece leaves the workshop in the morning and sells in the showroom next door by evening. No general-purpose free zone can offer that”, notes the lead lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open your company in DGDP with Dynasty Business Adviser
We will help you match the type of unit to your business model, secure approval for your activities, obtain the DGDP licence and open an account with a bank that works with the precious-metals segment. Ask us for a first-year budget: we prepare estimates from the administration’s official figures.
Get a consultation
Pricing is current as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against public sources, including goldanddiamondpark.com; confirm rates directly with the zone administration before making any payment.
