ABU DHABI — Representatives from Masdar City will highlight attractive investment and free-zone opportunities at the Water, Energy, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) to be held on April 14-16 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Masdar City's competitive free-zone benefits include offering companies 100 percent foreign ownership, no restrictions to moving capital, seamless registration and much more. Located in Abu Dhabi's fastest-growing corridor and five minutes from the expanding Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar is proving that sustainable urban development can dramatically reduce a city's demand for precious resources, while also being economically and socially viable. “Masdar City is a sustainable operation that balances the need to push the boundaries of green technology, while also delivering economic and social returns,” said Ahmed Baghoum, director of Masdar City free zone. “For companies in the fields of energy, water and sustainability, Masdar City offers unparalleled incentives to support economic growth." He added: “As an economic free zone, and through our One-Stop Shop services, businesses have the flexibility to make Masdar the first choice when locating in Abu Dhabi or entering the Middle East. “Masdar City is also a technology cluster where entrepreneurship, co-innovation and partnerships are encouraged. Companies of all sizes can benefit from the innovative, entrepreneurial atmosphere Masdar offers.” Masdar City's unique status as a dual investment and free zone offers several competitive financial advantages to businesses. Firms based in Masdar City pay zero import tariffs and taxes, have no foreign currency restrictions and face no barriers on the movement of capital. A launching pad into Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – one of the most promising economies in the world, the free zone also offers tenants the benefit of cutting-edge research from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. Setting up in Masdar City is simple. The city's one-stop-shop platform enables business owners to seamlessly register their companies in less than five days. The service fast-tracks employees' visa processing and submits documents to various Abu Dhabi government agencies. After registration, businesses select the type of space that meets their requirements, ranging from work stations to custom designed buildings. It is also easy for businesses to contract support services, such as translators and information technology providers. The momentum and expansion of Masdar City continues. In January, the city welcomed Siemens, the city's largest tenant with more than 1,000 employees. In addition, more than 40,000 square-meter commercial office space was added, housing more than 130 companies ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations. Masdar City is a low-carbon, mixed-use development that pushes the boundaries of smart design and technology – making it one of the most sustainable cities in the world. The city's cluster of high-performance buildings showcases how sustainability – using dramatically less energy and water – is cost competitive. — SG
