Expand Your Industrial Business in ICAD
Unlock opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s leading industrial hub with professional assistance for licensing, documentation, and approvals.
Company Formation in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)
The Industrial City of Abu Dhabi , or ICAD, is an industrial zone created to accommodate and encourage manufacturing and logistics businesses in the United Arab Emirates. ZonesCorp has enormous tracts of land measuring 40 square kilometers and places the ICAD strategically away from the heart of the city, Abu Dhabi. This not only makes it easy to achieve operational productivity but also offers a varied market for companies.
ICAD is developed and managed by ZonesCorp (the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones), the Abu Dhabi entity responsible for the emirate’s industrial zones. ZonesCorp coordinates land allocation, leasing and initial licensing steps for ICAD clusters.

ICAD is designed to support a wide cross-section of industries to foster an ambiance where innovation, collaboration, and sustainability thrive. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, ICAD acts as a central hub for local and international investors seeking to start or expand their activities across the region.
About the Abu Dhabi Industrial City
ICAD has a well-planned city structure with specific areas for different industrial sectors. The modern amenities include warehouses, production facilities, and distribution centers equipped with the latest technologies.
Overview of ICAD's Strategic Location and Facilities
- Proximity to strategic transportation infrastructure: Situated close to important highways such as the E11-Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road, ICAD fosters easy access to key markets. Plus, its proximity to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Khalifa Port maximizes logistics and supply chain activities.
- Advanced Infrastructure: The city boasts high-quality infrastructure, including utilities like water, electricity, and telecommunications; wide roads for heavy vehicles; and dedicated transportation networks.
- Support services: ICAD offers support services in customs clearance, facilities for maintenance, and business advisory services to the companies in operations.
Business Activities and Sectors
The organization engages in several business ventures in various industries. Some of the permissible business activities are
- Engineering and Metallurgy: Manufacture of metallic products, machines, and instruments.
- General Industries: Mass production of consumer goods and other industrial products.
- Chemicals and Plastics: Manufacture of chemicals, plastics, and others.
- Oil and Gas Services: Enabling services for oil and gas companies, including production and servicing of equipment.
- Construction Materials: Creating materials used for building purposes, like concrete, bricks, aggregates, etc.
- High-Tech Industries: Product development of advanced technology goods including electronics and telecommunication equipment.
- Food processing: Manufacturing and processing food products for local consumption and exportation.
Documents Required for Abu Dhabi Industrial City Business Formation
To establish a business venture in ICAD, the entrepreneur should prepare the following main documents:
- Evidence of Business Name Reservation: That is, a document showing that your proposed business name has been approved.
- Industrial City Authority Preliminary Approval: A letter indicating preliminary approval for your business activities.
- Passport Copies of All Shareholders: Valid copies of passports from all those involved in the ownership structure.
- Copies of Passport and CV for Manager: Records of the person to run the company.
- ICAD Requires Proof of Premises : Either a lease or land reservation. Many activities also need environmental, construction, or Civil Defence approvals before final licensing.
- All Shareholders and the General Manager: Information Sheet. A report providing personal information about shareholders and members of the management team.
- Notarized POA: If necessary, is the power of attorney that gives a legal representative authority to represent the company.
- Board Resolution: This is formally, through shareholders' desire, to incorporate a corporation within ICAD.
Steps for Company Formation
Setting up a business in ICAD is rather a multi-step procedure:
- Business Activity Selection: Identify the allowed business activities that correlate with your strategic objectives. This stage is critical because it determines the types of licenses that will be required.
- Trade and Company Name Registration: Determine an appropriate legal structure for your business, such as the formation of an LLC based on the nature of your enterprise.
Register your trade name with the relevant authorities to ensure it complies with local regulations. - Secure a Business Location: Identify appropriate facilities from ICAD, that can fulfill your operational needs, such as size of premises, accessibility issues, and proximity to suppliers or clients.
- Acquire required licenses and permits: Obtain any necessary licenses from ZonesCorp or any other relevant government office. Industrial licenses, environmental permits, or even health and safety certifications may be required to conduct the business operations.
Clusters in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi
ICAD is divided into five distinct clusters that cater to specific industries:
- ICAD I : Focuses on heavy manufacturing industries such as steel production, cement manufacturing, and large-scale assembly plants.
- ICAD II : Caters to light manufacturing businesses including assembly operations, packaging facilities, and small-scale production units.
- ICAD III : Targets light to medium engineering industries with an emphasis on food processing, textiles, and consumer goods manufacturing.
- ICAD IV : Designed specifically for technology-based industries that require advanced manufacturing processes or research facilities.
- ICAD V : Dedicated to automotive manufacturing businesses including assembly plants for vehicles and automotive parts suppliers.
Benefits of ICAD
Establishing a business in ICAD offers numerous advantages:
- Tax position: The UAE has no personal income tax. From 1 June 2023, a federal Corporate Tax applies to companies. Firms in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) may receive a 0% rate if they qualify as a “Qualifying Free Zone Person ” (QFZP) and meet substance rules
- 100% Foreign Ownership : Investors can fully own their businesses without having to have a local partner or sponsor.
- Repatriation of Profits : Corporations are allowed to fully repatriate their profits and capital to their respective home nations.
- World-Class Infrastructure : arriving at an international standard, therefore offering world-class infrastructure facilitating operational efficiency.
- Strategic Positioning : Proximity to major centers of transportation increases logistics efficiency and offers easy access to regional markets.
Why choose Reyson Badger?
Reyson Badger is the ideal partner for Company Formation in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) due to its extensive expertise in UAE regulations and a proven track record of assisting businesses. Reyson Badger ensures a seamless setup process, from selecting business activities to obtaining licenses. They offer customized solutions tailored to ICAD’s unique industrial focus, leveraging strategic benefits like tax exemptions, world-class infrastructure, and proximity to major transportation hubs. Contact Reyson Badger for a smooth and efficient company formation experience in ICAD.
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