The Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) is the large industrial area in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, now operated by KEZAD Group as KEZAD Musaffah. ICAD was developed by ZonesCorp, which became part of KEZAD Group under AD Ports Group in 2022, so today you set up there through KEZAD. It suits manufacturers, workshops, warehousing and trading companies that need land, warehouses or light industrial units close to Abu Dhabi city. We help you choose between KEZAD's mainland and free zone options, pick the right licence and facility, prepare your documents and handle visas and your corporate bank account.
- Location: Musaffah, Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Musaffah, formerly ICAD); the former ICAD V is now KEZAD Rahayel
- Operator: KEZAD Group, part of AD Ports Group
- Jurisdictions: KEZAD mainland (Domestic Economic Zone) or KEZAD free zone
- Licence types: industrial, trading or general trading, and service
- Company types: Limited Liability Company (Ltd) and Branch
- Ownership: 100% foreign ownership in the free zone; up to 100% in more than 1,100 activities on the mainland
- Space: serviced land plots, pre-built warehouses, light industrial units, build-to-suit facilities and offices
Who ICAD Suits
- Manufacturers and processors that need serviced industrial land or a build-to-suit plant
- Light manufacturing, assembly and packaging firms that want a ready light industrial unit
- Wholesale distributors and re-exporters that need warehouse space
- Companies that sell mainly into the UAE and GCC and want goods certified "Made in UAE"
- Automotive businesses looking at showrooms and service centres in KEZAD Rahayel
- Trading and service companies that want an Abu Dhabi industrial address
Licence Types in ICAD
Industrial licence
Covers importing raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling and packaging, and exporting intermediate or finished products, along with the other industrial activities on KEZAD's industrial licence list.
Trading licence
Covers import, export, distribution, stocking and warehousing of the products named on the licence.
General trading licence
Issued instead of a trading licence when you trade more than 17 products or more than 3 product groups.
Service licence
Covers service activities such as management and economic consulting, marketing, logistics support like cargo and freight forwarding, restaurants, retail food outlets, catering and travel agencies, as listed by KEZAD.
Dual licence for free zone companies
A KEZAD free zone company can obtain an additional licence from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. This lets it work outside the free zone without opening a second office.
Company Types in ICAD
Limited Liability Company (Ltd)
A new company owned by individual or corporate shareholders.
KEZAD publishes separate document checklists for individual and corporate shareholders.
Branch
An existing UAE or foreign company can register a branch.
The branch carries on the parent company's activities under its name.
Mainland or free zone
The same company types sit under one of two KEZAD jurisdictions. Mainland (Domestic Economic Zone) companies get direct access to the UAE and GCC markets, and goods made there can be certified "Made in UAE" for duty-free status in the GCC. Free zone companies get 100% foreign ownership and suit re-exporters, distributors and industrial projects aimed at markets outside the GCC.
Industrial Land, Warehouse and Office Space
KEZAD offers serviced land plots for long-term lease, pre-built warehouses, light industrial units for small and medium manufacturers, build-to-suit facilities and offices or workstations. Many units are marked as mainland or free zone, so the facility you choose also fixes your jurisdiction. The facility and its size also shape how many visas you can apply for, so we match the space to your visa plan before you sign. Pre-built warehouses and light industrial units let you start sooner, while land plots suit larger plants with their own design. If you are also planning long-term residence, see our UAE Golden Visa service.
How to Set Up a Company in ICAD
- Free consultation: we confirm your activity, your target market and whether the KEZAD mainland or free zone fits better.
- Activity check: some industrial and trading activities need approval from another government authority; we tell you up front.
- Choose your facility: land plot, warehouse, light industrial unit or office.
- Choose the company type and prepare the business plan and shareholder documents.
- Submit the registration and licence application to KEZAD and pay the fees.
- Receive your licence and sign your lease.
- Apply for visas and Emirates IDs, open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax.
Documents You Need
For individual shareholders, directors and the manager: passport copy, UAE residence or visit visa and Emirates ID if you have them, a no-objection letter from your current sponsor where it applies, a short CV and KEZAD's registry identification form.
For the company: the registration and licence application form, a business plan, a shareholder resolution to incorporate (notarised and attested where needed) and an ultimate beneficial owner declaration with a group structure chart.
For a branch: the parent company's certificate of registration, certificate of good standing, memorandum and articles of association and a board resolution, notarised and attested for foreign companies. A UAE parent provides its trade licence and commercial registration.
Documents must be in English or Arabic, or come with a certified translation. These lists come from KEZAD's free zone checklists; we send you the exact checklist for your jurisdiction and activity.
ICAD Setup Costs
Your cost depends on the jurisdiction, the licence type, the facility you lease or develop, the number of visas and any activity approvals. Land, warehouse and unit rents vary a lot by size and location, so a fixed price would not help you. Tell us your activity, space and visa needs and we send you a written, itemised quote.
Corporate Tax for ICAD Companies
Every company in ICAD must register for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. A mainland (Domestic Economic Zone) company pays 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that. A KEZAD free zone company can be a Qualifying Free Zone Person and pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets the conditions; its taxable income that is not qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Our group's tax agency can handle registration and filing.
Why Set Up in ICAD With Jitendra Business Consultants
Company formation in the UAE since 2001, with 5,500+ companies formed. One group for setup, accounting, VAT, corporate tax and trademarks. Offices in Dubai and Sharjah, with advice in English, Arabic and Hindi.
ICAD Company Setup FAQs
Is ICAD a free zone?
ICAD is an industrial area in Musaffah that is now run by KEZAD Group. KEZAD offers two jurisdictions: a mainland jurisdiction it calls the Domestic Economic Zone, and a free zone. Your company is set up under one of the two, so the right question is which KEZAD jurisdiction suits your activity and market. We help you decide before you apply.
Can I lease land in ICAD to build my own facility?
Yes. KEZAD leases serviced land plots ready for development, with internal roads and utilities. If you would rather not build yourself, KEZAD's build-to-suit service covers design, construction and project management through to handover, for lease or sale.
Who manages ICAD now?
KEZAD Group, part of the Economic Cities and Free Zones cluster of AD Ports Group. ICAD was developed by ZonesCorp, which was integrated with Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) into KEZAD Group in 2022.
What is KEZAD Musaffah?
It is the current KEZAD name for the former ICAD industrial areas in Musaffah. KEZAD refers to KEZAD Musaffah as ICAD 1 and to plots previously called ICAD II. The former ICAD V area is now called KEZAD Rahayel.
What licences can I get in ICAD?
KEZAD issues three licence types: an industrial licence, a trading licence (or a general trading licence for wider product ranges) and a service licence.
When do I need a general trading licence instead of a trading licence?
KEZAD issues a general trading licence when the total number of products is more than 17 or the total number of product groups is more than 3.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in ICAD?
In the KEZAD free zone, yes: KEZAD states 100% foreign ownership. In the KEZAD mainland (Domestic Economic Zone), KEZAD states up to 100% foreign ownership in more than 1,100 activities, so we check your activity first.
Can a KEZAD free zone company sell in Abu Dhabi outside the free zone?
Yes, through a dual licence. KEZAD free zone companies can obtain an additional licence from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, which lets them carry out their activities outside the free zone without a separate office.