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The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority posted robust results for the first half of 2026 with the number of companies operating across its zones climbing 13 per cent year on year while the workforce expanded 24 per cent and occupancy levels hit 96 per cent. These gains spanned the consolidated operations of Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity, which together form the core of the authority’s integrated economic platform established in 2021. DIEZ data further showed that the organisation’s venture arm Oraseya invested in 15 startups during the period, marking a 25 per cent rise from the same period a year earlier, many of them focused on artificial intelligence.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said, “The results achieved by DIEZ during the first half of 2026 reflect the resilience of its economic model and the confidence of companies and investors in Dubai’s competitive business environment.” The chairman’s assessment came as the authority highlighted sustained demand from international players seeking streamlined licensing and operational support. Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni added that the 96 per cent occupancy rate reflects the ability of the zones to provide an advanced and flexible business environment that meets evolving corporate needs.
New company registrations in the artificial intelligence sector surged 57 per cent during the first six months of the year according to DIEZ figures while the count of AI-specialised firms jumped 95 per cent. The authority’s ecosystem has grown to encompass more than 5,000 registered companies from 20 industries, a scale that the DIEZ website attributes to incentives including full foreign ownership and access to regional markets. Such expansion builds on the emirate’s established position as a hub that combines competitive tax structures with world-class infrastructure linking to MENA, Asia and Africa.
Infrastructure projects advanced significantly with District IO drawing Dh11 billion in investments and the initial phase of Block 14 moving forward with Dh1.8 billion committed. These developments are designed to accommodate further growth in technology and logistics sectors that have driven much of the recent activity. DIEZ has prioritised digital connectivity and holistic support services to position its zones as platforms for scaling operations across the UAE, the Middle East and beyond.
The first-half performance arrives as Dubai’s free zones continue to report elevated demand for specialised facilities, a trend that aligns with broader economic data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce showing consistent increases in business setups. Employment growth of 24 per cent outpaced the rise in company numbers, indicating that existing operations are also scaling their local presence. Authority officials have pointed to these metrics as evidence that the model supports both new entrants and established players seeking to expand in a stable regulatory environment.
