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Dubai launches One Freezone Passport to simplify business expansion across emirate

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Dubai has officially rolled out the One Freezone Passport, a groundbreaking initiative that allows businesses to operate across all free zones in the emirate under a single business licence. Launched by the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) on Tuesday, the move is expected to streamline company operations, encourage foreign investment, and accelerate business expansion across Dubai’s diverse economic zones.

Global luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton is the first company to leverage the new system, maintaining its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) while opening its corporate office at One Za’abeel in the DWTC Free Zone. The cross-zone expansion was completed in just five days, highlighting the efficiency and agility of Dubai’s business environment.

A transformative move for business in Dubai

Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General of the DFZC, said that the seamless expansion of Louis Vuitton under the programme reflects Dubai’s efficiency and reinforces the city’s appeal as a top-tier global investment hub.

With over two dozen free zones, Dubai caters to sectors ranging from media and trade to technology and education. These zones contribute significantly to the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade, which grew by 18.6% year-on-year in Q1 2025, reaching Dh835 billion.

What the One Freezone Passport enables

The One Freezone Passport allows companies licensed in one free zone to:

  • Operate in other Dubai free zones without the need for a new licence.
  • Access facilities and services across multiple economic zones.
  • Streamline their operational footprint and reduce regulatory friction.

Amna Al Ali, Vice-President of Licensing and Registration at Jafza, added that this programme unlocks new growth opportunities for businesses by removing traditional barriers to cross-zone operations.

“Companies can now benefit from facilities across the emirate without additional licensing, enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness on the global stage,” she said.

Difference between Free Zone and LLC
According to Commercial Law in the UAE, a foreign investor can own only up to 49% of the shares in an LLC registered in mainland Dubai. On the other hand, free zones permit 100% ownership of a company by foreign investors; that is why they are quite popular among entrepreneurs looking to invest in Dubai.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Announcements

UAE travel: Emirates adds Hangzhou to its China network 

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The UAE’s flagship carrier launched its new daily service to Hangzhou on  Wednesday, marking yet another milestone in its growing network across China. The move comes hot on the heels of its recent route launch to Shenzhen, making Hangzhou the second new mainland destination in just under a month.

Flight EK310 touched down at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to a warm welcome – complete with a traditional water cannon salute and greetings from local officials and dignitaries. Passengers on the inaugural flight didn’t leave empty-handed either. They were treated to souvenir keychains, flight certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets to mark the occasion.

The new route is operated on a Boeing 777-300ER, with flight EK310 departing Dubai at 9:40am and reaching Hangzhou by 10:00pm. The return leg, EK311, takes off from Hangzhou at 12:10am, landing back in Dubai by 4:55am, making it a convenient overnight hop for business and leisure travellers.

With this addition, Emirates now flies 49 times a week to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and now Hangzhou.

Thanks to seamless connectivity through Dubai, travellers from over 40 European cities, 21 in Africa, and others in the Middle East and South America can now easily access one of China’s key tech and business hubs. The route also enables convenient two-way travel between Hangzhou and global cities like Istanbul, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Barcelona.

Best of all? UAE and GCC nationals can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, making spontaneous business trips or leisure breaks even easier.

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Self.space puts the power of photography in your hands

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Forget Snow White’s mirror — this one doesn’t compare, doesn’t critique, and answers only to you. Introducing self.space, a revolutionary sealed-room mirror photography studio that’s as private as your thoughts and as flattering as your best angle.

In a region where modesty and privacy are deeply valued, self.space is reimagining the photoshoot experience. No photographers. No spectators. No pressure. Just you and a smart mirror, inside a sound-insulated, self-directed studio designed for complete comfort and control.

Traditional photoshoots can feel intimidating — unfamiliar surroundings, judgmental eyes, and the pressure to perform. self.space changes that. Walk into a sleek studio, close the door behind you, and watch the privacy light switch on. Now it’s just you — free to pose, express, and capture your image on your terms.

“We found that people reject photos not because they lack beauty or talent — but because tension stays on their faces,” say co-founders Mitia Muravev (Founder & CEO) and Peter Bondarenko (Founder & CPO). “That tension is stronger in the Arab world, where privacy and modesty are part of daily life.” Mitia drives the brand’s vision and partnerships, while Peter leads the tech — from embedded cameras and edge AI to full-stack infrastructure. Together, they’ve created more than a photo studio — they’ve packaged confidence.

How it works:

  1. Walk in – Door closes, privacy light turns on.
  2. Capture – Use the remote to take unlimited shots.
  3. AI Perfects – Instant, natural-looking touch-ups preserve your true look.
  4. Gallery Ready – A secure link to your encrypted gallery is sent to your phone before you leave.

Whether you want professional portraits, personal mementos, or a quiet moment of self-reflection, self.space offers something rare: a private, pressure-free space to simply be yourself — and love what you see.

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You might stop getting bank OTPs via SMS in UAE : Here’s why

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In a landmark move to boost digital banking security, banks across the UAE will begin phasing out one-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS and email starting Friday, July 25, 2025. The transition comes in line with new directives issued by the UAE Central Bank, mandating the adoption of app-based authentication for all local and international banking transactions.

The shift will be implemented in stages, with customers required to activate app-based verification systems to continue approving transactions. The complete phase-out of SMS and email OTPs is expected by March 2026.

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The UAE Central Bank’s initiative marks a significant departure from traditional OTP delivery methods, which have increasingly become targets for cyber threats. In contrast, app-based verification offers a more secure and reliable method for transaction approvals, leveraging advanced technology to safeguard user data and banking operations.

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