New licence categories offer businesses streamlined structures for asset protection, investment consolidation, and regional governance—strengthening Dubai’s position as a premier global business hub.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has announced the launch of two new licence categories — the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and Holding Company licences — in a move designed to bolster investment flexibility and reinforce Dubai’s role as a global centre for structured finance, asset protection, and multinational oversight.
Unveiled as part of DMCC’s mission to support business scalability and innovation, the new offerings provide enhanced tools for multinational corporations, investment firms, and family offices to consolidate, safeguard, and manage their investments more efficiently.
“At DMCC, we’re committed to giving businesses the right structures and support to grow and scale effectively,” said Ahmed Hamza, Executive Director – Free Zone, DMCC. “With the launch of our SPV and Holding Company licences, we’re offering flexible, internationally recognised frameworks that make it easier to manage investments, protect assets, and oversee operations across markets.”
Designed for Strategic Structuring
The SPV licence is tailored for businesses and investors seeking a simplified, non-operational entity ideal for asset holding, securitisation, and structured finance. This model allows companies to isolate financial risk and ring-fence liabilities without the need to establish a fully operational enterprise.
Meanwhile, the Holding Company licence is designed for firms aiming to consolidate governance, streamline tax planning, and manage subsidiary operations and investments under a single legal entity. This is particularly advantageous for multinational groups, family offices, and regional investment firms.
“These solutions are ideal for multinational groups, family offices, investment firms, and businesses looking to consolidate ownership, limit risk, or structure their regional presence more efficiently,” Hamza added.
Aligned with Global Best Practices
Both licence types reflect international corporate structuring standards and are aligned with DMCC’s broader strategy of offering cutting-edge business tools in a competitive regulatory environment. The initiative also reinforces the UAE’s appeal as a destination for global capital flows.
Importantly, companies operating under these new structures will continue to benefit from the UAE’s favourable tax framework. While free zone entities are subject to corporate tax under specific conditions, DMCC confirmed that its members may qualify for a 0 per cent corporate tax rate, provided they comply with regulatory requirements.
“With over 25,000 member companies from across diverse industries, DMCC remains committed to offering strategic tools, such as SPVs and family offices, that help companies scale efficiently and maximise profitability,” the centre said in a statement.
Enhancing Dubai’s Global Investment Proposition
The launch of the SPV and Holding Company licences comes at a time when businesses worldwide are seeking greater flexibility in managing complex cross-border investments. By providing globally recognised, cost-effective corporate structures, DMCC is positioning itself as a key player in the evolution of asset protection, tax efficiency, and capital flow management across the Middle East and beyond.
As family offices, multinational groups, and institutional investors increasingly look to Dubai for regional headquarters, these new structuring tools offer a strong foundation for sustainable and strategic growth.
